Corfu Incident (1923)

Question 1

Why was the Corfu Incident of 1923 probably the most important dispute the League was involved with in the 1920s?

Answer 1

It exposes the weakness and ineffectiveness of the League when dealing with a relatively major power

Question 2

What triggered the incident?

Answer 2

An Italian general and some of his staff were murdered whilst patrolling the border between Greece and Albania.

Question 3

What was the name of the Italian general who was murdered?

Answer 3

General Tellini

Question 4

What did Mussolini do when he heard of the murder

Answer 4

1) He blamed the Greeks
2) He demanded Greece pay 50 million lira in compensation
3) He demanded Greece execute the assassins

Question 5

How did Greece react to Mussolini’s request for 50 million lira?

Answer 5

They denied any involvement, were unable to find the assassins, and refused to pay any money

Question 6

When Greece refused Mussolini’s request for compensation, what did Mussolini do?

Answer 6

Mussolini bombarded and then occupied the Greek island of Corfu

Question 7

How many people were killed in the Italian occupation of Corfu?

Answer 7

15

Question 8

Why did the situation seem so serious?

Answer 8

It seemed very similar to the start of the First World War - where the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand had started a chain of events, ultimately leading to total war

Question 9

Greece appealed to the League for help. What did the League do?

Answer 9

It condemned Mussolini’s actions, but recommended that Greece pay compensation, although it should be held by the League until Tellini’s killers were found.

Question 10

How did Mussolini react to the League’s ruling?

Answer 10

He refused to accept it, and demanded that the final judgement be made by the Conference (or Council) of Ambassadors

Question 11

What was the final decision on the Corfu Incident?

Answer 11

- Mussolini was forced to withdraw 
BUT
- Greece had to pay Italy the 50 million lira 
AND 
- Greece had to apologise

Question 12

How did Mussolini see the incident?

Answer 12

As a huge triumph for him - he boasted that he had got his way

Question 13

What impression was created by the Corfu Incident?

Answer 13

That Italy’s bullying tactics had paid off and that the Conference of Ambassadors had compromised the principles of international justice