Events of the Abyssinian Crisis (1935-36) Flashcards
What event triggered the crisis?
A dispute at the Wal-Wal oasis between Italian and Abyssinian soldiers
Where was the Wal-Wal oasis?
80 km inside Abyssinia
After the Wal-Wal oasis incident, what did Mussolini do?
- Claimed the Wal-Wal oasis was actually Italian territory
- Demanded an apology
- Began preparing for an invasion
After the Wal-Wal oasis incident and Mussolini’s demands, what did Emperor Haile Salassie do?
Appealed to the League of Nations for help
What did Mussolini do from January 1935 to October 1935?
- Claimed he was negotiating with the League
2. Secretly shipping his VAST army (250,000 men) to Africa
Why did the British and French not initially take the situation seriously?
They were anxious to keep Mussolini onside - they saw him as a potential ally against Hitler
What had been signed between Britain, France and Italy in early 1935?
The Stresa Pact
What were the two key parts of the Stresa Pact?
- A formal statement against German rearmament
2. A commitment to stand united against Germany
During the meeting when the Stresa Pact was agreed, what was NOT mentioned?
The Abyssinia issue
How did public opinion in Britain and France begin to change during 1935?
More of the public were outraged by Italy’s actions
In 1934-35, a ballot (poll) was held by the League of Nations Union in Britain was held. What did it show?
The majority of people supported the use of military force to defend Abyssinia
What was announced in September 1935?
- A report that said neither side was responsible for the Wal-Wal incident
- the hoare laval pact that would give Mussolini 2/3 of Abyssinia
How did Mussolini respond to the League’s September 1935 announcements?
He rejected them
When did Mussolini launch a full scale invasion?
October 1935 (a month after the League’s report)
What happened in October 1935?
Mussolini launched a full invasion of Abyssinia
What was this a clear case of?
A larger, more-powerful nation invading a smaller one
Why was the Abyssinian Crisis different to the Manchurian Crisis?
Manchuria was the other side of the world. There were far more options available to the League to stop this invasion
What was the League’s initial response to the Italian invasion in October 1935?
- It condemned the act
- It imposed SOME economic sanctions