abyssinia Flashcards
(25 cards)
where is abyssinia
north eastern africa
it was surrounded by british and french colonies
how did the african soldiers resist
with outdated rifles and spears
what did the italian soldiers use
chemical weapons like poison gas, they kept this secret from the public used bombs technologically advanced weapons tanks air force
how many soldiers were they
1.5 million
when did it first start
3rd october 1935
when did italian troops take over the capital
5th may 1936
what did mussolini want
land for the increasing population of italy
raw resources
mines
help make italy great
why did mussolini want abyssinia
to gain an empire like britain and france
abyssinia was an independent country
it would be a distraction for the italians- from the great depression
it wasn’t a technologically advanced country- easy target
why didn’t the league punish mussolini harshly
they were scared of mussolini becoming allies with hitler
what was italy’s opinion on the sanctions
it was a complete injustice
britain’s view
they didnt want to punish italy to harshly but the british public
wanted them to be punished for what he did
the sanctions
imposed economic sanctions
league members banned from selling arms to abyssinia as well as italy
it was a futile attempt to restrain italy
members forbidden from importing italian goods
who were the foreign ministers
pierre laval
samuel hoare
when did the foreign ministers meet up in secret
december 1935
what did the foreign ministers have to do
come up with sanctions to offer italy
what did the foreign ministers decide
italy was to be given areas in abyssinia
why was the land given unfair
it was not their land to give
they did not meet up and discuss it with italy or abyssinia
why were the league of nations worried
didn’t want to drive mussolini towards hitler
wanted to keep him on the leagues side
the hoare-laval pact
italy was to be given areas of abyssinia
abyssinia would be reduced to half its size
the land they have left is mainly mountainous
italy was given the fertile land
the pact was leaked to the press and created public outrage
they were forced to resign but the damage was done
it showed britain and france were willing to undermine the league for their own self interest
failure to close the suez canal
it was owned by britain and france
if closed it would have stopped mussolini moving troops and supplies to abyssinia
it wasn’t closed due to the fear of upsetting mussolini
trade sanctions
members of the league
- no importing italian goods
- no trading arms
what didn’t trade sanctions include
oil
coal
iron
steel
why didn’t the league ban oil
was seen as useless as countries like USA or USSR would have continued to supply mussolini
what would have happened if the league banned coal and oil
mussolini said he would of had to stop the attack as he needed to fuel war machines with them
