ULTRA REVISION: ABYSSINIA 1935. The Abyssinia Crisis was an international crisis in 1935 that originated in what was called the Walwal incident during the ongoing conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Ethiopia. Both Ethiopia and Italy pursued a policy of provocation against each other.

1. IGCSE REVISION
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
Abyssinian Crisis 1935
At the end of 19th
century, Italy had previously tried to invade
Abyssinia, back in 1896. That was called the First Italo-Ethiopian war.
Back then, the Italian forces were defeated at the battle of Adwa. It
was followed by a humiliating retreat of the Italians.
Italy Background
Mussolini took power in the March on Rome in 1922. In the early to
mid-1930’s Mussolini’s got a number of concerns. One important
concern was the Great Depression, and Mussolini believed that he will
be in advantage by winning a victory on a foreign land, avenging the
loss in the Battle of Adwa also. He also believed that a victory would
distract his people from the economic problems generated by the
Depression. Mussolini was also concerned about Hitler’s rise in power
in Germany and about the rearmament. Mussolini was also concerned
about the Anschluss and unification of Germany with Austria.
Mussolini review his invasion troops in Manchuria.
Stresa Front
Stresa Front was formed in March 1935. Hitler announced that he will
expand the army, despite the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Italy

2. joined France and Britain in condemning Hitler. Because of that,
Mussolini was convinced that Britain wouldn’t act if he invaded.
Pierre Laval, Benito Mussolini, Ramsay MacDonald and premier Pierre Flandin in Stresa April 11. 1935.
Anglo-German Naval Agreement
The Anglo-German naval agreement was signed in June 1935. In this
agreement between Nazi Germany and Great Britain, Britain allowed
the German Navy to build up to 35% of the size of the British navy and
allows Germany to construct submarines. To note, these were clearly
forbidden by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Chamberlain (left) and Hitler leave the Bad Godesberg meeting, 23 September 1938.
In the treaty Germany was not permitted to have submarines, yet in
this agreement Britain is allowing Germany to break the terms of the
treaty. This action was received very badly by British people. France
and Italy were not consulted, so the Stresa Front idea was damaged.

3. The Invasion of Abyssinia
In 1935 Italy invaded Abyssinia, nowadays Ethiopia. Mussolini, the
Italian fascist dictator, wanted something to distract the Italian
people’s attention away from the country’s desperate economic
problems, after the Great Depression of 1929-1933.
Emperor Haile Selassie inspecting his troops during the invasion
A “foreign adventure” would most certainly help. Italy already had the
colonies of Eritrea and Somaliland in this part of Africa. Abyssinia
would fit in with these very well.
Why invading Abyssinia?
Abyssinia had resources like coal and oil, whereas Italy’s other African
possessions amounted to “a worthless collection of deserts”. Also, in
1896 the Abyssinians had defeated Italy at the Battle of Adowa, and
Mussolini wanted revenge. He also wanted to rebuild the glory of the
ancient Roman empire, around the Mediterranean Sea, using the Latin
concept of “Mare Nostrum” (Our Sea). Furthermore, Mussolini had just
seen Japan get away with invading Manchuria. Why not do the same
thing in Abyssinia. Mussolini’s real reasons for wanting Abyssinia were
very different from the reasons he gave at the time.
The spark
The crisis was sparked off by a border incident between Abyssinian
and Italian troops at the end of 1934. Mussolini used this as an excuse
to claim land in Abyssinia. He also claimed that it was “Italy’s mission
to civilise the black continent” – a reference to the fact that slavery still
existed in Abyssinia. The League of Nations was trying to eliminate
slavery.

4. Timeline of the Abyssinian Crisis
JANUARY 1935
Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Abyssinia, asked the League of Nations
to intervene because of the threats Italy was making. The League acted
in a weak manner.
MARCH 1935
Hitler announced he was expanding the German army. Italy, France
and Britain met at Stresa. They formed the “Stresa Front” and
condemned what Hitler was doing. Britain and France wanted to keep
Italy on their side. They certainly didn’t want to drive Italy into
German’s arms. Mussolini may have got the impression they wouldn’t
act if he invaded.
OCTOBER 1935
A strong and well-equipped Italian army invaded Abyssinia.
OCTOBER 1935
The League imposed economic sanctions on Italy, but oil was not
included in these sanctions. Countries who were not members of the
League, such as USA, still traded with Italy.
DECEMBER 1935
The foreign ministers of Britain and France, Hoare and Laval, drew up
a plan which virtually gave Abyssinia to Italy.
DECEMBER 1935
The plan was leaked and there was a public outcry against this
betrayal of Abyssinia.
MARCH 1936
The League debated whether to add oil to the sanctions, but Britain
and France were not keen, especially since Germany had just
reoccupied the Rhineland.
MAY 1936
The Italian army completed its conquest of Abyssinia. Its army was
better equipped than the Abyssinian army. The League had failed.