the Abyssinian crisis

• Causes (Government and Economic Resources):

  > Mussolini had promised to rebuild the Ancient Roman Empire and restore Italy’s pride. Abyssinia was rich in natural resources like gold, copper and platinum.
• Events:

  > December 1934, Italian soldiers fought Abyssinian soldiers at Wal Wal. 150 Abyssinians and 2 Italians were killed. They used chemical weapons to terrorise the Abyssinian people. On 5th May 1936, Italian soldiers took the Abyssinian capital, Addis Ababa.
• League’s response:

  > Mitigation failed. Moral condemnation had no effect. Economic sanctions did not include oil and coal.
• League’s response:

  > In December 1935, Britain and France made a secret plan called the Hoare-Laval Pact to give Italy 2/3rds of Abyssinia.
• Consequences:

  > 1936 Italy fully completed their invasion of Abyssinia and in December 1937 Italy left the League of Nations.