corfu crisis Flashcards
Why was the Corfu Incident of 1923 probably the most important dispute the League was involved with in the 1920s?
It exposes the weakness and ineffectiveness of the League when dealing with a relatively major power
What triggered the incident?
An Italian general and some of his staff were murdered whilst patrolling the border between Greece and Albania.
What did Mussolini do when he heard of the murder
1) He blamed the Greeks
2) He demanded Greece pay 50 million lira in compensation
3) He demanded Greece execute the assassins
How did Greece react to Mussolini’s request for 50 million lira?
They denied any involvement, were unable to find the assassins, and refused to pay any money
When Greece refused Mussolini’s request for compensation, what did Mussolini do?
Mussolini bombarded and then occupied the Greek island of Corfu
How many people were killed in the Italian occupation of Corfu?
15
Why did the situation seem so serious?
It seemed very similar to the start of the First World War - where the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand had started a chain of events, ultimately leading to total war
What did the League do?
- Mussolini was forced to withdraw
BUT - Greece had to pay Italy the 50 million lira
AND - Greece had to apologise
