A summary of Ben Walsh's "GCSE Modern World History" chapter on Mussolini's invasion of Abyssinia (1935- 1936).

1. In 1896 Italian troops had tried to invade Abyssinia but had
been defeated by a poorly equipped army of tribesmen.
Mussolini wanted revenge for this humiliation.
He also had his eye on the fertile lands and mineral wealth
of Abyssinia.
But most of all, he wanted glory and conquest.

2. Wal-Wal oasis
The border between Abyssinia and
Italian Somaliland was uncertain and
disputed - in December 1934 there was
a small skirmish at Wal-Wal.
Mussolini demanded an apology and
threatened to invade.

3. While supposedly negotiating with the League, Mussolini was shipping his army to Africa.

4. Phase 1: The League plays for
time (Jan 1935 – Oct
1936)
Britain and France wished to keep good
relations with Mussolini.
The Stresa Pact formalised a protest at
German rearmament and committed to
stand together against Germany.

5. The British public
favoured the defence
of Abyssinia, by force
if necessary.
Politicians – hoping
for votes – began to
“get tough”.
British Foreign
Minister, Hoare, made
a grand speech about
collective security.
After 8 months a
committee reported
that neither Italy nor
Abyssinia were
responsible for the
Wal-Wal incident.
The League put
forward a plan to give
Italy part of Abyssinia.
Mussolini rejected it.

6. Phase 2: Sanctions or not?
(Oct 1935 – May 1936)

7. The Covenant made it clear that sanctions must be introduced.
The League imposed an immediate ban on arms sales, loans, imports
from Italy and the export to Italy of rubber, tin and metals.

8. Sanctions would only work if
imposed quickly and decisively.
However, the League delayed
the decision whether to ban oil
exports to Italy.
The Suez Canal not closed
to Mussolini’s supply ships.
They feared USA would not support
sanctions.
They feared the economic interests of
League members would be further
damaged. (eg: British coal miners)

9. Hoare – Laval:
SECRET negotiations! (Dec
1935)
British and French Foreign Ministers
secretly planned to give Mussolini 2/3 of
Abyssinia if he called off the invasion.

11. Hoare and Laval’s
plans leaked to the
press.
They were both
sacked.
Discussion of oil ban
was further delayed.
USA, disgusted with
Britain and France,
blocked the
League’s sanctions.

12. Mussolini obtains Abyssinia
Hitler remilitarized
the Rhineland in
March 1936.
In November
Mussolini and Hitler
signed and
agreement.
The French were
desperate to gain
support of Italy

14. RESOURCES
WALSH, Ben
“GCSE Modern
Word History”
http://www.cartoons.
ac.uk/
http://punch.photosh
elter.com/