International Relations - Corfu Incident (1923) 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 was the name of the Italian general who was murdered?
General Tellini
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
Greece appealed to the League for help. What did the League do?
It condemned Mussolini’s actions, but recommended that Greece pay compensation, although it should be held by the League until Tellini’s killers were found.
How did Mussolini react to the League’s ruling?
He refused to accept it, and demanded that the final judgement be made by the Conference (or Council) of Ambassadors
What was the final decision on the Corfu Incident?
- Mussolini was forced to withdraw BUT - Greece had to pay Italy the 50 million lira AND - Greece had to apologise
How did Mussolini see the incident?
As a huge triumph for him - he boasted that he had got his way
What impression was created by the Corfu Incident?
That Italy’s bullying tactics had paid off and that the Conference of Ambassadors had compromised the principles of international justice
