Abyssinian Crisis (1934-37) Flashcards
What started the Abyssinian Crisis?
The Wal Wal Crisis in December 1934.
150 Abyssinians were killed.
2 Italians were killed.
The League of Nations tried to Intervene but found it hard to stop Mussolini.
Why did Mussolini want Abyssinia?
Mussolini (right wing, fascist leader of Italy) wanted to create an empire for his country.
He promised his people he would recreate the Roman Empire.
In order to do this, he planned to invade Abyssinia in Africa:
- It was rich in natural resources.
- Italy had neighbouring colonies in Africa.
- He wanted revenge for a previous failed attempt at taking them over in 1896.
Motive: In 1935, Great Britain and France signed the Stresa Front with Mussolini.
This treaty stated that all 3 countries would join forces against Hitler if he attacked them.
Mussolini saw this as a green light to do as he wished and he invaded Abyssinia.
He thought if Britain & France were scared of Hitler, then they would let him do whatever he wanted in Africa, because they wanted his support against Germany.
What happened?
1935: France promised Italy not to intervene in Somaliland and Eritrea and gave them land in Chad. But, Laval also promised Mussolini to let him deal with Abyssinia however he saw fit.
30th June 1935: Haile Selaisse addresses the League of Nations asking for help.
3rd October 1935: Italy bombs the tribal villages of Abyssinia using chemical weapons.
5th May 1936: Italians took up the Abyssinian capital - Addis Ababa.
11th December 1937: Italy leaves the League of Nations.
What DID the League of Nations do?
Hoare-Laval Pact: Britain and France came up with a settlement to split Abyssinia into 2: giving Italy the industrial area and Abyssinia the rural areas.
This showed that Britain and France could undermine the League of Nations for their own self-interest (to not have a war).
Stressa Front (1935): Great Britain and France signed the Stresa Front with Mussolini.
This treaty stated that all 3 countries would join forces against Hitler if he attacked them.
Mussolini saw this as a green light to do as he wished and he invaded Abyssinia.
He thought if Britain & France were scared of Hitler, then they would let him do whatever he wanted in Africa, because they wanted his support against Germany.
Banned guns for Abyssinia and Italy, leaving Abyssinia defenseless.
What DID the League of Nations do?
Hoare-Laval Pact: Britain and France came up with a settlement to split Abyssinia into 2: giving Italy the industrial area and Abyssinia the rural areas.
This showed that Britain and France could undermine the League of Nations for their own self-interest (to not have a war).
Stressa Front (1935): Great Britain and France signed the Stresa Front with Mussolini.
This treaty stated that all 3 countries would join forces against Hitler if he attacked them.
Mussolini saw this as a green light to do as he wished and he invaded Abyssinia.
He thought if Britain & France were scared of Hitler, then they would let him do whatever he wanted in Africa, because they wanted his support against Germany.
Banned guns for Abyssinia and Italy, leaving Abyssinia defenseless.
What DIDN’T the League of Nations do?
Close the Suez Canal: would have stopped Mussolini as he would have not been able to move troops and supplies.
Made trade sactions that didn’t include oil: if they had banned oil, they would have been able to stop Mussolini as he would not have had oil to fuel the tanks.
They did not ban oil as they did not want to lose the profit they got fromt it. Italy would have gotten oil from the USA.
