Failure of the League The crisis over Abyssinia

Background to events Abyssinia : An independent country ruled by Haile Selassie, was the only independent black country in Africa. Abyssinia : An independent country ruled by Haile Selassie, was the only independent black country in Africa. In 1896 its army had defeated an Italian invasion. In 1896 its army had defeated an Italian invasion. Black people in America and the West Indies began to look to independent Abyssinia as a symbol of hope for liberation Black people in America and the West Indies began to look to independent Abyssinia as a symbol of hope for liberation

Background to events Mussolini : Fascist dictator of Italy, was determined to build an Empire. Mussolini : Fascist dictator of Italy, was determined to build an Empire. He also wanted revenge for Italy’s embarrassing defeat of He also wanted revenge for Italy’s embarrassing defeat of ‘My objective is simple. ‘My objective is simple. I want to make Italy great respected and I want to make Italy great respected and feared’ feared’ He also wanted to relieve the pressure on himself due to the economic problems in Italy He also wanted to relieve the pressure on himself due to the economic problems in Italy A further colonial acquisition as well as revenge would enhance Mussolini’s standing A further colonial acquisition as well as revenge would enhance Mussolini’s standing Abyssinia seemed the perfect, easiest coup for the new Italian dictator. Italy already occupied Eritrea, north of Abyssinia Abyssinia seemed the perfect, easiest coup for the new Italian dictator. Italy already occupied Eritrea, north of Abyssinia

Why Abyssinia? Abyssinia could also be a useful market for Italian goods and a place to settle Italy’s surplus population Abyssinia could also be a useful market for Italian goods and a place to settle Italy’s surplus population For glory in the opinion of Mussolini you were ‘better to live as a lion than a lifetime as a sheep’ For glory in the opinion of Mussolini you were ‘better to live as a lion than a lifetime as a sheep’

Further failings of the League A secret plan to avoid war was drawn up by the British and French foreign ministers, Hoare and Laval, in December A secret plan to avoid war was drawn up by the British and French foreign ministers, Hoare and Laval, in December Hoare-Laval Plan proposed - Hoare-Laval Plan proposed - Large parts of Abyssinia to be given to Italy in return for Italian an withdrawal. Large parts of Abyssinia to be given to Italy in return for Italian an withdrawal. The plan becomes public knowledge and there is a public outcry- plan abandoned The plan becomes public knowledge and there is a public outcry- plan abandoned May 1936 Italian conquest complete, they continue with plan and achieve their mission. May 1936 Italian conquest complete, they continue with plan and achieve their mission.

A British cartoon of 1935 shows international politics and the League of Nations being like a stage musical. Britain and France, the two main nations sing: ‘We don’t want you to fight, but by jingo if you do, We will probably issue a joint memorandum Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’

The League: actions and results No impact Italy complete conquest. Hitler noted weakness of the League and remilitarize the Rhineland (March 1936) No impact Italy complete conquest. Hitler noted weakness of the League and remilitarize the Rhineland (March 1936) June Haile Selassie addressed Assembly of League calling for help June Haile Selassie addressed Assembly of League calling for help March Oil embargo threatened but never enforced. March Oil embargo threatened but never enforced. No additional action by League No additional action by League

The League: actions and results July sanctions against Italy abandoned July sanctions against Italy abandoned Italy - Kept Abyssinia Italy - Kept Abyssinia Became allied with Germany Became allied with Germany Left the Stresa Front Left the Stresa Front Left the League (1937) Left the League (1937)

Why did the League Fail? Britain and France wanted to keep Mussolini in the Stresa Front to contain the threat posed by Hitler. Britain and France wanted to keep Mussolini in the Stresa Front to contain the threat posed by Hitler. One dictator was enough to contend with. One dictator was enough to contend with. The Hoare-Laval Plan discredited and weakened the League. The Hoare-Laval Plan discredited and weakened the League. Britain and France were unwilling to take a lead, they feared Italian action against their interests in the area as they both had colonies in Africa Britain and France were unwilling to take a lead, they feared Italian action against their interests in the area as they both had colonies in Africa An African war would be unthinkable for both. An African war would be unthinkable for both. Appeasement seemed the best policy Appeasement seemed the best policy

Long Term Results Countries lost faith in the League Countries lost faith in the League Countries started to form secret alliances Countries started to form secret alliances Countries started to rearm. Countries started to rearm. Collective security was a distant dream. Collective security was a distant dream.

Impact on the idea of “collective security” The League of Nations was founded on the understanding of “collective security” would bring everlasting peace. The League of Nations was founded on the understanding of “collective security” would bring everlasting peace. That countries would be punished for breaking the terms set by the league. That countries would be punished for breaking the terms set by the league. This incident, which went unpunished, despite sanctions being threatened, highlighted the weaknesses within the League’s set up and soon had countries losing faith in the League and withdrawing from it. This incident, which went unpunished, despite sanctions being threatened, highlighted the weaknesses within the League’s set up and soon had countries losing faith in the League and withdrawing from it. The League died in One day it was a powerful body imposing sanctions, the next day it was a useless fraud, everybody running away from it as quickly as possible. Hitler watched. AJP Taylor (1966)