1. Abyssinia Because of the Great Depression, Italy wanted to Because of the Great Depression, Italy wanted to build an empire to secure raw materials. build an empire to secure raw materials. Mussolini was a fascist, and wanted to revive the Mussolini was a fascist, and wanted to revive the glories of Rome glories of Rome France and Britain needed Mussolinis support France and Britain needed Mussolinis support against Hitler (Stresa Pact 1935) against Hitler (Stresa Pact 1935)

2. Abyssinia

3. Abyssinia The border between Abyssinia and Italian The border between Abyssinia and Italian Somaliland was uncertain and disputed - in Dec Somaliland was uncertain and disputed - in Dec 1934 there was a small skirmish at Wal-Wal. 1934 there was a small skirmish at Wal-Wal. Mussolini demanded an apology and threatened Mussolini demanded an apology and threatened to invade. to invade. There was great anger in Britain; Hoare (the There was great anger in Britain; Hoare (the foreign minister) made a strong speech foreign minister) made a strong speech supporting sanctions and collective security. supporting sanctions and collective security.

4. Abyssinia Feb 1935: The League set up a commission, Feb 1935: The League set up a commission, which reported in Sept. It suggested giving part which reported in Sept. It suggested 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 flame- invaded Abyssinia. He used tanks and flame- throwers and attacked red Cross hospitals. throwers and attacked red Cross hospitals. The League banned weapons sales, and put The League banned weapons sales, and 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 sales, It did NOT close the Suez Canal or ban oil sales, which would have stopped the Italian invasion. which would have stopped the Italian invasion.

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

6. Abyssinia A SPECTACULAR failure: 1. The Fascists continued to expand: Mussolini kept Abyssinia Mussolini kept Abyssinia Hitler began to expand in Europe. Hitler began to expand in Europe. Fascists took power in Spain Fascists took power in Spain Britain and France abandoned the League as a way Britain and France abandoned the League as a way of keeping the peace - started to appease Hitler. of keeping the peace - started to appease Hitler.

7. Abyssinia A SPECTACULAR failure: 2. The League was a useless fraud (AJP 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 it. A country could get its own way if it ignored it. Collective security' was useless against big Collective security' was useless against big countries - especially during the Great Depression. countries - especially during the Great Depression. Even the great powers within the League were Even the great powers within the League were happy to ignore it (Japan was on the Council). happy to ignore it (Japan was on the Council). Even Britain and France would betray the League. Even Britain and France would betray the League. Nine countries left 1936-1939. Nine countries left 1936-1939.