1. Failure of the League The crisis over Abyssinia 1935 - 37 By Mr Osborne www.SchoolHistory.co.uk

3. Background to events zAbyssinia : An independent country ruled by Haile Selassie, the only independent black country in Africa. In 1896 its army had defeated an Italian invasion. zMussolini : Fascist dictator of Italy, was determined to build an Empire. He also wanted revenge for defeat of 1896.

4. Timeline of Events zDecember 1934 - Italian troops provoke a clash at Wal Wal zOctober 1935 - Italian invasion begins zDecember 1935 - Britain and France produce Hoare-Laval Plan. Large parts of Abyssinia to be given to Italy in return for Italian withdrawal. Public outcry- plan abandoned zMay 1936 Italian conquest complete

5. The League: actions and results z Dec 1934 offers arbitration zRejected by Italy zJan-Feb 1935 debates its response zno further action zMay-Sept sets up a five power commission zAbyssinia rejects proposals zOct 1935 Italy condemned limited economic sanctions imposed

6. The League: actions and results zMarch 1936 - Oil embargo threatened zNo impact Italy complete conquest. Hitler noted weakness of the League and remilitarize the Rhineland (March 1936) zJune 1936 - Haile Selassie addressed Assembly of League calling for help zNo additional action by League

7. The League: actions and results zJuly 1936 - sanctions against Italy abandoned zItaly - Kept Abyssinia z Became allied with Germany z Left the Stresa Front z Left the League (1937)

8. Why did the League Fail? zBritain and France were unwilling to take a lead they feared Italian action against their interests in the area zAlso wanted to keep Mussolini in the Stresa Front to contain the threat posed by Hitler. zThe Hoare-Laval Plan discredited and weakened the League

9. Long Term Results zCountries lost faith in the League zCountries started to form secret alliances zCountries started to rearm.

10. Aims of the Treaty of Versailles Guilt - find some one to blame Armed forces to be dealt with Reparations - who has to pay German territories - what to do LEague of Nations to be formed

11. German reaction to Treaty of Versailles Unrepresented Not allowed to join League of Nations Forced to accept terms - diktat Angry with armed forces reductions Injustice - War guilt, loss of land etc Reparations - set to high

12. Why the L of N failed French and British self interest Absent powers - USA Ineffective sanctions Lack of an armed force Unfair treaty Reaching decisions too slowly European club, everyone had to agree

13. The steps to war 1936 - 39 Civil War in Spain Re-occupation of the Rhineland Anschluss with Austria Sudetenland crisis Hitler takes over rest of Czechoslovakia Italy and Germany form pact of Steal Nazi-Soviet Pact Germany invades Poland