Invasion of Abyssinia 1935 Flashcards
What were the aims of the Invasion of Abyssinia
- Believed that a growing empire would enhance Italy’s great power status.
- Would provide large numbers of colonial troops to enhance military strength.
- Would prop up the prestige of the regime at home.
- It would also act as a distraction from the failure in other areas of policy (corporate state, battles grain and births).
……. ……….. ……….. seemed to give him the go-ahead for invasion of Abysinnia
Stresa Front conference
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia
-distraction from the failure in other areas of policy - PNF
- An aggressive foreign policy would satisfy those in the PNF who thought Mussolini needed to pursue a more ‘fascist’ direction (and show that his rule was more than simply a dictatorship trying to maintain power).
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia
-distraction from the failure in other areas of policy - Exports
Abyssinia would provide an export market for Italian goods.
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia
-distraction from the failure in other areas of policy - helping the economy
- The planning for war helped the economy - more arms, clothing, equipment and transportation helped fuel Italian industry.
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia
-distraction from the failure in other areas of policy - corporate state
- Domestic policies, such as the Corporate State, and the battles for births and grain, were producing disappointing results
- Mussolini recognised that foreign successes might distract public attention away from problems at home.
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia
-distraction from the failure in other areas of policy - autarky
- The invasion would help to achieve autarky, as Abyssinia would provide raw materials and areas for more agriculture
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia
-Believed that a growing empire would enhance Italy’s great power status.
- The invasion of Abyssinia was seen as a way of showing the dynamism of fascism and brining about the transformation of the Italian people into a more warlike people.
- Mussolini recognised that the rise to power of the Nazis had transformed the European situation. –>
- Britain and France’s preoccupation with responding to Hitler’s foreign policy opened the way for Italian ambitions.
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia -
Would prop up the prestige of the regime at home: Cult of Il Duce
- Mussolini believed that a great victory would add to the prestige of the dictatorship
- The Italian defeat by Abyssinia at Adwa in 1896 was still remembered by Italians; Mussolini believed that avenging this humiliating defeat would boost the cult of il Duce
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia -
Would prop up the prestige of the regime at home: colonies
- Mussolini believed colonies were a part of Italy’s historic destiny
- After all, Italy was the descendant of the Roman Empire that had controlled huge areas of North Africa and had dominated the Mediterranean
Expand on the reason why Italy invaded Abysinnia -
Would prop up the prestige of the regime at home: ability to fight war
- Abyssinia lacked the means to fight. a modern war
- This offered the prospect of securing military glory on the cheap
- The neighbouring Italian colonies of Eritrea and Somaliland provided convenient places from
Pretext for war
In 1929…
- In 1929, Italian soldiers began to occupy disputed areas on the border between Italian Somaliland and Abyssinia
Pretext for war
In 1930…
Italy built a fort at the Walwal oasis (well inside Abyssinian territory).
Pretext for war
In December 1934….
- a skirmish took place between Italian and Abyssinian troops, in which 30 Italian troops were killed, and 107 Abyssinians
Pretext for war
What happened in response to a skirmish took place between Italian and Abyssinian troops, in which 30 Italian troops were killed, and 107 Abyssinians.
- Mussolini demanded a full apology and heavy compensation
- Abyssinia requested a League of Nations investigation
- Mussolini had no interest in waiting for the results of such an investigation
What sparked the conflict
- December 1934 - Wal-wal incident
When did Italian armies attack
- In October 1935, Mussolini launched the invasion into Ethipia with a massive force of 400,000 men, hoping for a quick and decisive victory
Describe the progress made on the invasion
- The Italians quickly seized Adwa and other border towns, but after that their progress slowed
What leadership change was made
- A month into the invasion, Mussolini chose to replace the head of the invading army, Emilio De Bono, with Marshal Pietro Badoglio
- Badoglio engaged in a brutal war against the Abyssinian army in a similar manner to the campaign he had conducted in Libya
Describe the warfare used
- This included the use of mass aerial bombings, the murder of prisoners of war and the illegal use of chemical warfare
- The brutal war probably led to the death of 500,000 Abyssinians
What happened in April 1936
heavy defeat for Ethiopia
What happened on the 5th
May 1936
- Addis Ababa captured by Italians
What was the immediate outcome for Italians following victory in Abyssinia
- only 1,000 Italian casualties
- Mussolini’s popularity soared
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
What was the common perception of Italians towards the war when it started
- As the war began, many Italians remained unenthusiastic, despite the orchestrated press campaign
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
It is estimated that around ….. million Italians listened to Mussolini’s public radio broadcast on 9 May, proclaiming that Italy had..
It is estimated that around 20 million Italians listened to
As the war began, many Italians remained
Mussolini’s public radio broadcast on 9 May,
unenthusiastic, despite the orchestrated press campaign.
proclaiming that Italy had at last gained its fascist empire.
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
Despite Mussolini’s proclamation on 9 May, Abyssinia had…
- not been fully conquered, two-thirds of the country was still to be occupied
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
describe the economic sanctions on Italy
- The League had placed limited economic sanctions on Italy, including banning weapons sales to Italy and placing limits on imports of Italian rubber and metal
- However, oil was left off the list of products banned for export to Italy and the Suez Canal was not closed. (Had Britain chosen to close this canal, Italy’s vital supply route to its forces in East Africa would have been cut off).
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
economic cost to Italy
- The costs associated with supplying the 250,000 troops
that were needed to fight an on-going guerrilla war were considerable
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
What happened on the 18th december 1935
- On 18 December 1935, the royal family launched the ‘Gold for the Patria (country)’ campaign.
- Queen Elena presented her wedding ring to be melted down in order to help the campaign against the sanctions.
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
What was the reaction to the ‘Gold for the Patria (country)’ campaign
- Blessed by the Church, thousands of women followed the queen in giving their wedding rings to the fascist cause
- In return, they were given steel rings that symbolised their marriage to the nation
- This seemed to show that the true transformation of the Italian people was now taking place
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
Despite the League’s weak response, the sanctions were a….
- propaganda coup for the fascists.
- Mussolini was portrayed as a leader standing up to the world and defying attempts to limit Italian power.
- This had strong parallels to the ‘mutilated victory’, but this time Italy would not back down.
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
What pact was there going to be in December 1935
- Hoare-Laval Pact
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
What was the Hoare-Laval Pact
- this secret agreement between the foreign ministers of Britain and France would have handed over 2/3 of Abyssinia to Italy
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
Why did the Hoare-Laval Pact not happen
- However, a public outcry in Britain and France put an end to the agreement
- It appeared to the Duce that the governments of both countries were desperate to avoid having Fascist Italy an enemy
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
- The exports …………. ……….., with only ….% of Italian trade ever going to Abyssinia
The exports never materialised, with only 2% of Italian trade ever going to Abyssinia
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
what economic hopes weren’t met by the war
- The hope that the colony would provide oil and other raw materials to help achieve autarky were never met
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
Who supported Mussolini’s greatness because of the war
- The Italian people, the royal family and the Church all supported the invasion and proclaimed Mussolini’s greatness.
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
economic numerical impact from war
- The lira devalued by 40% and the budget deficit rose from 2.5 billion to 16 billion lire
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
what was the effect on Mussolinis image
- Mussolini appeared to many to be fulfilling the image of a new Caesar who was expanding the Italian empire
- For Mussolini and for many Italians, Italy had now established itself as a great power
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
autarky?
- The hope that the colony would provide oil and other raw materials to help achieve autarky were never met
Consequences of the Abyssinian Invasion for Italy
Italy’s image overseas impact
- The brutal war changed the perception of Mussolini and fascism overseas, especially in Britain.
- Before, Mussolini was generally seen as a dictator who had been beneficial to Italy; now, he was seen as a threat to peace.
The invasion highlighted the weakness of the …………… which encouraged ………………
This in turn disrupted the…..
- The invasion highlighted the weakness of the League of Nations, which encouraged Hitler’s own ambitions.
- This in turn disrupted the delicate balance of power that existed in Europe.
Although not immediate, Abyssinia was the beginning of a split…
- in Italy’s relations with Britain and France and moved Italy closer to Germany
What was the split in Italy’s relations with Britain and France and moved Italy closer to Germany encouraged by…
- economic problems caused by the League’s sanctions, which made Italy more dependent on Germany for trade
The victory in Abyssinia appeared to Mussolini to show the …….
weakness of Britain and France
The victory in Abyssinia appeared to Mussolini to show the weakness of Britain and France. This encouraged a belief that…
- Italy’s aggressive actions would not only enhance his own power domestically but challenge the old balance of power in Europe
This encouraged a belief that Italy’s aggressive actions would not only enhance his own power domestically but challenge the old balance of power in Europe. This was a dangerous conviction that would see….
- the fascist regime pursue a much more radical direction in both domestic and foreign policy
IMPACT ON RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE
economic
- Widespread support for the imposition of economic sanctions by League of Nations.
- No arms to be sold to Italy and no Italian goods imported.
IMPACT ON RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE
limitations to bans
- However, still no ban on commodities such as oil, coal and steel. * Plus, the Suez Canal remained open
IMPACT ON RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE
attempt to end war?
- There was also an attempt to end the war through the ineffective Hoare-Laval Pact of December 1935
- This would have given Italy most of Ethiopia, and so a public outcry prevented its passage.
IMPACT ON RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE
Mussolini saw the French and British as weak an in search of a comfortable life (the exact opposite to……….).
his ideal of a working pro-war Italian
IMPACT ON RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE
