C+T6 The Abyssinian Crisis

Question 1

What was the Abyssinian crisis?

Answer 1

Mussolini invaded Abyssinia 

Question 2

Why did Mussolini want to invade Abyssinia?

Answer 2

• He wanted to rebuild the Roman Empire by invading other countries
• There are lots of natural resources in Asonia which could be useful for Italy during the depression
• In 1896 Italy had tried to invade Abyssinia and was humiliated when this poor country defeated them. Mussolini wanted revenge.
• He was confident that would not stop him as they had back down to him before during the Corfu crisis in 1923
• 1935 Britain and France signed agreement with Italy to form the Stresa Front. Mussolini did not think Britain or France would endanger this new agreement by trying to stop him in Abyssinia

Question 3

When was the Abyssinian crisis?

Answer 3

1935 

Question 4

What was the first event in the Abyssinian crisis?

Answer 4

Italian troops clashed with Abyssinians at Wal Wal in December 1934. The league failed to stop Marcellini who was intent on war

Question 5

In January 1935, what secret agreement did French foreign minister Pierre Laval make with Italy? 

Answer 5

That Mussolini could deal with Abyssinia, however he wanted and France would not interfere 

Question 6

Who addressed the league on June 30, 1936? 

Answer 6

Abyssinian Emperor Haile Selassie, but still the league did nothing 

Question 7

When did Italian troops enter Abyssinia

Answer 7

October 1935 

Question 8

What was the leagues reaction to Italy invading Abyssinia? 

Answer 8

The league condemned the invasion that Mussolini ignored them and even used chemical weapons 

Question 9

When did Italian troops enter the Abyssinian capital was it called?

Answer 9

Fifth of May 1936
Addis Ababa 

Question 10

What happened after the Abyssinian crisis in September 1937?

Answer 10

Italy left the league of Nations 

Question 11

Give four reasons why the league failed

Answer 11

• Britain and France didn’t close the Suez Canal which would have made it difficult for Mussolini to get troops to Abyssinia because they didn’t want to upset Mussolini 
• when the league imposed trades sanctions on Italy, it failed to ban steel oil and coal as it felt this would damage their members economies. These were resources that needed for the invasion.
• The league band sales of arms to Abyssinia which left them defenceless
• The whole Laval pact was a secret agreement suggested by the British and French foreign ministers they wanted to give Mussolini land in Abyssinia. The pact was leaked by the press and there was public outcry. Leading members had proven they were willing to undermine the league for their own self interest . 

Question 12

What were the consequences for the league after the Abyssinian crisis?

Answer 12

• Britain and France shows that they cared more about their own interest
• small countries new the league could and would do nothing to protect them from this time onwards almost no one regarded the league as a serious or powerful organisation