The Abyssinian Crisis Flashcards

1
Q

Which colonies belonging to Mussolini bordered Abyssinia so would make invasion easier?

A

Eritrea and Somaliland

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2
Q

Why could Abyssinia be good for the Italian economy?

A

It was rich in natural resources and had good land for grazing animals.

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3
Q

Why did Mussolini not think Britain and France could object to him invading Abyssinia?

A

As they had so many colonies in the region themselves.

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4
Q

Why did Mussolini want revenge on Abyssinia?

A

In 1896 Italy had tried, and failed, to invade Abyssinia. Italy expected an easy victory but faced a humiliating defeat. Mussolini wanted to restore national pride.

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5
Q

What previous dealing with the League made Mussolini sure he could invade Abyssinia without the League taking action?

A

The Corfu Crisis in 1923, when it had failed to stop him bullying Greece.

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6
Q

What recent event involving the League also made Mussolini confident?

A

The League’s failure in Manchuria.

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7
Q

What agreement was signed in 1935 regarding Britain, France and Hitler?

A

The Stresa Front, Britain and France agreed they would unite against Hitler.

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8
Q

What impression did France give to Mussolini regarding the Stresa Front?

A

That France would not anything to keep Italy as an ally against Hitler.

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9
Q

When did Italians first clash with Abyssinians at Wal Wal?

How many were killed?

A

December 1934

150 Abyssinians and 2 Italians were killed.

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10
Q

When did Italy invade Abyssinia?

A

3 October 1935

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11
Q

What was the only resistance the Italian army met?

A

The small Abyssinian army, some soldiers armed with nothing more than spears.

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12
Q

Who was Haile Selassie?

A

The Abyssinian emperor.

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13
Q

What had Haile Selassie done?

A

He had addressed the League in Geneva, warning it of the effect its failure to deal with Mussolini would have.

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14
Q

When did Italian troops take over the Abyssinian capital?

What was the capital called?

A

On 5 May 1936, Italian troops took over the Abyssinian capital, Addis Ababa.

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15
Q

What were the 4 factors for why the League failed in Abyssinia?

A

-Failure to close the Suez Canal
-The Hoare-Laval pact
-Trade sanctions against Italy
-Trade sanctions against Abyssinia

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16
Q

When did Pierre Laval and Samuel Hoare meet in secret?

A

Decemeber 1934

17
Q

What did the Hoare-Laval Pact agree?

A

That Abyssinia would be reduced to half its size and keep its mountainous regions, so Italy could get fertile land

18
Q

What did trade sanctions against Italy not include?

A

Oil, coal, iron or steel.

19
Q

When did Italy leave the League of Nations

A

May 1936

20
Q

Who were Pierre Laval and Samuel Hoare?

A

Britain and France’s foreign ministers.

21
Q

What could closing the Suez Canal have done?

A

It was built to the connect the Mediterranean and Red sea, and it could have been closed to stop Mussolini moving troops and supplies to invade Abyssinia.

22
Q

Why did the League not close the Suez Canal?

A

They were worried that Mussolini would unite with Hitler so they tried to keep him on their side.

23
Q

What did the Hoare-Laval Pact prove after it had been leaked to the press?

A

That Britain and France were willing to undermine the League for their own self-interest.

24
Q

Why was coal not included in trade sanctions?

A

The British were worried that banning the trade in coal would cause unemployment in British coal mining areas.

25
Q

Why was oil not included in trade sanctions?

A

The League felt banning oil was pointless because countries like the USA and the USSR would continue to supply Mussolini.

26
Q

What had Mussolini said later about coal and oil?

A

That if they had been banned, he would’ve had to stop his invasion, as he needed these to fuel war machines such as tanks.

27
Q

What were trade sanctions against Abyssinia like?

A

The League banned members from selling arms to Abyssinia as well as to Italy. Abyssinia was left with nothing to defend itself with against Mussolini’s modern army.

28
Q

Could the Abyssinian crisis be considered the end of the League?

A

Yes, many historians say that from this time on no one really respected the League and its days as the international police force had ended.

29
Q

What did small countries now know about the League?

A

That it would not protect them.

30
Q

What did aggressive dictators realise from this crisis?

A

That the League was powerless to stop them starting a war.