The Abyssinian Crisis, 1934-36

• As a fascist dictator, Mussolini had promised he would rebuild the glory of Ancient Rome
• As an independent nation Abyssinia was an ideal target to increase Italy's empire
• Italy already owned nearby countries - Eritrea and Somaliland - from which it could easily launch an attack
• Abyssinia would also be good for the Italian economy: it was rich in natural resources and had good land for grazing animals
• Italy had already tried to invade in 1896 but had suffered a humiliating defeat. Mussolini wanted revenge and to restore national pride
• Mussolini thought he could act without the League of Nations taking action. He had done this in the Corfu crisis of 1923. He was also made more confident with the League's failure in Manchuria
• Mussolini was convinced Britain and France wouldn't act. In 1935 the three countries had signed an agreement to unite against Hitler, called the Stresa front. Britain and France didn't want to annoy Mussolini and push him into an alliance with Hitler
• Britain and France could have stopped Mussolini moving troops and supplies through the Suez Canal. But they didn't want to upset him as he might unite with Hitler
• The League banned the importing of Italian goods and people selling weapons to Italy, but not steel, iron, oil or coal. Britain didn't want to cause unemployment in mining areas, and the League felt banning oil was pointless because the USA could still trade with Italy
• In December 1935, British and French foreign ministers Hoare and Laval met Italy and agreed Italy would gain fertile areas of the country. When this leaked to the press the two politicians resigned, but the damage was done: they had proved Britain and France would undermine the League for self interest
• The League banned members from selling arms to Abyssinia as well as Italy. Abyssinia had no defence against Italy's modern army
• December 1934 - Italians and Abyssinians clashed at Wal Wal, 150 were killed, and the League was unable to intervene
• January 1935 - Pierre Laval met with Mussolini and promised not to interfere with Somaliland and Eritrea, and allowed Mussolini free reign with Abyssinia
• April 1935 - The Stresa Front was signed between the British, French and Italians. This said that they would unite against Hitler. Mussolini felt he could act against Abyssinia
• 30th June 1935 - Haile Selassie addressed the League in Geneva warning of the effect failure with Mussolini would have
• 3rd October 1935 - Italian troops entered Abyssinia, bombing tribal villages and using chemical weapons, proving the spear-armed Abyssinian army useless
• December 1935 - Britain and France offered Italy a secret deal, known as the Hoare-Laval Pact (named after the British and French foreign ministers), promising to give Mussolini some areas in Abyssinia. When this became public it discredited Britain, France and the League of Nations
• 5th May 1936 - Italian troops took the Abyssinian capital Addis Ababa, confirming people's belief in that the League was useless