AbyssiniaAbyssinia•   •   Because of the Great Depression, Italy Because of the Great Depression, Italy wanted to wanted to

build an empire to secure raw materials.    build an empire to secure raw materials.   

•   •   Mussolini was a fascist, and wanted to Mussolini was a fascist, and wanted to revive the revive the

glories of Rome    glories of Rome   

•   •   France and Britain needed Mussolini’s France and Britain needed Mussolini’s support support

against Hitler (Stresa Pact 1935)against Hitler (Stresa Pact 1935)

AbyssiniaAbyssinia

AbyssiniaAbyssinia•   •   The border between Abyssinia and Italian The border between Abyssinia and Italian

Somaliland was uncertain and disputed - Somaliland was uncertain and disputed - in Dec in Dec

1934 there was a small skirmish at Wal-1934 there was a small skirmish at Wal-Wal.Wal.

•   •   Mussolini demanded an apology and Mussolini demanded an apology and threatened threatened

to invade.to invade.

•   •   There was great anger in Britain; Hoare There was great anger in Britain; Hoare (the (the

foreign minister) made a strong speech foreign minister) made a strong speech

supporting sanctions and collective supporting sanctions and collective security.security.

AbyssiniaAbyssinia•   •   Feb 1935: The League set up a Feb 1935: The League set up a commission, commission, which reported in Sept.  It suggested which reported in Sept.  It suggested giving part giving part of Abyssinia to Italy. of Abyssinia to Italy.       •   •   Oct 1935: Mussolini rejected the plan and Oct 1935: Mussolini rejected the plan and invaded Abyssinia.   He used tanks and invaded Abyssinia.   He used tanks and flame-flame- throwers and attacked red Cross hospitals. throwers and attacked red Cross hospitals. •   •   The League The League banned weapons sales, and banned weapons sales, and put put sanctions on rubber and metal (this hurt sanctions on rubber and metal (this hurt Abyssinia more than Italy).   Abyssinia more than Italy).   •   •   It did NOT close the Suez Canal or ban oil It did NOT close the Suez Canal or ban oil sales, sales, which would have stopped the Italian which would have stopped the Italian invasion. invasion.

AbyssiniaAbyssinia•   •   Dec 1935: Hoare-Laval Pact, a secret plan Dec 1935: Hoare-Laval Pact, a secret plan by by Britain and France to give Abyssinia to Britain and France to give Abyssinia to Italy.   Italy.   •   •   Britain and France asked that sanctions be Britain and France asked that sanctions be lifted lifted - only Abyssinia voted against. - only Abyssinia voted against. •   •   March 1936: Hitler marched into the March 1936: Hitler marched into the Rhineland;Rhineland; everyone forgot about Abyssinia.everyone forgot about Abyssinia.•   •   May 1936: Mussolini conquered Abyssinia. May 1936: Mussolini conquered Abyssinia. •   •   June 1936: Haile Selassie went to the June 1936: Haile Selassie went to the League to League to ask it to reconsider its 'terrible precedent' ask it to reconsider its 'terrible precedent' of of giving way to force.   He was ignored. giving way to force.   He was ignored.

AbyssiniaAbyssiniaA SPECTACULAR failure:A SPECTACULAR failure:

1. The Fascists continued to expand:1. The Fascists continued to expand:

•     •     Mussolini kept AbyssiniaMussolini kept Abyssinia

• • Hitler began to expand in Europe.Hitler began to expand in Europe.

• • Fascists took power in SpainFascists took power in Spain

• • Britain and France abandoned the League as Britain and France abandoned the League as a way a way

of keeping the peace - started to appease of keeping the peace - started to appease Hitler.Hitler.

AbyssiniaAbyssiniaA SPECTACULAR failure:A SPECTACULAR failure:

2.  The League was ‘a useless fraud’ (AJP 2.  The League was ‘a useless fraud’ (AJP Taylor):Taylor): •     •     It was slow (the Report took 8 months).It was slow (the Report took 8 months).

•     •     A country could get its own way if it ignored A country could get its own way if it ignored it.it.

•     ‘ •     ‘Collective security' was useless against big Collective security' was useless against big

countries - especially during the Great countries - especially during the Great Depression.Depression.

•     •     Even the great powers within the League Even the great powers within the League were were happy to ignore it (Japan was on the happy to ignore it (Japan was on the

Council).Council). •     •     Even Britain and France would betray the Even Britain and France would betray the League.League. •     •     Nine countries left 1936-1939.Nine countries left 1936-1939.