1. Italy and the League of Nations 1934 to 36
The Abyssinian Crisis
Italy and the League of Nations
1934 to 36

2. Aims of the lesson By the end of this lesson you will learn about
The ambitions of Mussolini
How the League of Nations failed to stop Italian aggression in Abyssinia

3. Background
The League of Nations was a good idea but in practise it was a failure
Difficult to make decisions – too much self interest
USA, Germany and USSR were not members
In Manchuria the Japanese (a member of the council) was allowed to get away with an aggressive invasion – LoN did nothing

4. Mussolini Fascist ruler of Italy since 1922
Wanted to build an empire in Africa – already controlled Libya, Somaliland and Eritrea
Had tried to conquer Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1896 and failed
Humiliating – wanted revenge
December 1934 – 30 soldiers killed in a border clash. Gave Italy the excuse to invade

5. The invasion
Very successful – Abyssinian army had spears and Italians machine guns
Britain and France did not want to upset Italy in case it made her friendly with Hitler
April 1935 – Stresa Front. Britain, Italy and France agreed to join together against Germany.

6. LoN inaction
Most British people wanted her to stop the invasion – Government not keen
September 1935 – Samuel Hoare (GB Foreign Secretary) called for collective action against Italy
Tough talk in public – but sucking up to the Italians in private
October 1935 – invasion succeeded

7. Haile Selassie Emperor of Abyssinia Appealed for help to LoN
LoN imposed economic sanctions – no country allowed to trade with her
Just bought from USA
Britain and France allowed Mussolini to use the Suez Canal – breaking own sanctions

8. Treachery
Hoare and Laval (French Foreign Minister) devised a plan to divide Abyssinia in two
Italy to be given two thirds and rest to Haile Selassie if Mussolini stopped fighting
Hoare-Laval Pact – details leaked in December 1935
Uproar – looked like Britain and France were putting self interest above Abyssinia and the League of Nations

9. The consequences
By May 1936 the Italian had conquered the whole of Abyssinia
Selaisse fled the country and went to Geneva to address the League
Too late – LoN was totally discredited
Backfired in October 1936 Mussolini signed the Berlin-Rome Axis pact with Hitler.