The crisis over Abyssinia 1935 - 37 Failure of the League The crisis over Abyssinia 1935 - 37

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

Timeline of Events December 1934 - Italian troops provoke a clash at Wal Wal by building a fort inside Abyssinian border April 1935 – Italy, France and Britain sign Stresa Front October 1935 - Italian invasion begins December 1935 - Britain and France produce Hoare-Laval Plan. Large parts of Abyssinia to be given to Italy (“lets make nice with Mussolini”) in return for Italian withdrawal. Public outcry when plan is leaked - plan abandoned, both Hoare and Laval resign May 1936 Italian conquest complete The Stresa Front was an agreement made in Stresa, Italy, between French foreign minister Pierre Laval, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, and Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini on April 14, 1935. Formally called the Final Declaration of the Stresa Conference, its aim was to reaffirm the Locarno Treaties and to declare that the independence of Austria "would continue to inspire their common policy". The signatories also agreed to resist any future attempt by the Germans to change the Treaty of Versailles. Terms were very vague.

The League: actions and results Dec 1934 offers arbitration Rejected by Italy Jan-Feb 1935 debates its response No further action May-Sept sets up a five power commission Abyssinia rejects proposals Oct 1935 Italy condemned - limited economic sanctions imposed

The League: actions and results March 1936 - Oil embargo threatened No impact. Italy pursues complete conquest. Hitler noted weakness of the League and remilitarizes the Rhineland (March 1936) June 1936 - Haile Selassie (Abyssinian leader) addressed Assembly of League calling for help No additional action by League

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

Why did the League Fail? Britain and France were unwilling to take a lead. They feared Italian action against their interests in the area Also wanted to keep Mussolini in the Stresa Front to contain the threat posed by Hitler. The Hoare-Laval Plan discredited and weakened the League As a result … Countries lost faith in the League Countries started to form secret alliances Countries started to re-arm.

Helpful study reminders

Why the L of N failed F rench and British self interest A bsent powers - USA I neffective sanctions L ack of an armed force U nfair treaty R eaching decisions too slowly E uropean club, everyone had to agree

The steps to war 1936 - 39 C ivil War in Spain R e-occupation of the Rhineland A nschluss with Austria S udetenland crisis H itler takes over rest of Czechoslovakia I taly and Germany form Pact of Steel -1939 N azi-Soviet Pact G ermany invades Poland