The Abyssinian Crisis involved a series of escalating events between Italy and Ethiopia starting in 1934 with a border clash. Italy began building up troops along the border which prompted Ethiopia to ask the League of Nations to arbitrate. Despite League attempts to prevent war, Italy invaded Ethiopia in October 1935. The League imposed limited sanctions on Italy but failed to prevent its conquest of Ethiopia, demonstrating the League's inability to effectively respond to acts of aggression and marking a failure of the organization.

2. The Abyssinian Crisis

3. The Abyssinian Crisis
The League in the 1930’s

7. “War is to man what maternity is to a
woman. From a philosophical and
doctrinal viewpoint, I do not believe
in perpetual peace.”
Benito Mussolini
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/benito_mussolini_2.html

9. Border clash at Walwal (1934)

10. Border clash at Walwal (1934)
Ethopia asks LoN to arbitrate

11. Border clash at Walwal (1934)
Ethopia asks LoN to arbitrate
Italian troop buildup in Somaliland &
Eritrea

12. Border clash at Walwal (1934)
Ethopia asks LoN to arbitrate
Italian troop buildup in Somaliland &
Eritrea
League attempt to prevent war

14. Italy invades October 3 - 1935

15. Italy invades October 3 - 1935
Ethiopian army is defeated repeatedly

16. Italy invades October 3 - 1935
Ethiopian army is defeated repeatedly
November 18: Sanctions go into effect
against Italy. They do not include
oil or steel.

17. Italy invades October 3 - 1935
Ethiopian army is defeated repeatedly
November 18: Sanctions go into effect
against Italy. They do not include
oil or steel.
December 8: Hoare-Laval Plan is
signed, which concedes two-thirds of
Ethiopia to Italy.

19. Ethiopia rejects Hoare-Laval plan

20. Ethiopia rejects Hoare-Laval plan
1936 -January 3: Emperor Haile
Selassie protests to League about
Italy's bombing of villages and
Italian use of Mustard Gas

21. Ethiopia rejects Hoare-Laval plan
1936 -January 3: Emperor Haile
Selassie protests to League about
Italy's bombing of villages and
Italian use of Mustard Gas
Italian army has continued success

22. Ethiopia rejects Hoare-Laval plan
1936 -January 3: Emperor Haile
Selassie protests to League about
Italy's bombing of villages and
Italian use of Mustard Gas
Italian army has continued success
May 7: Italy officially annexes
Ethiopia

24. June 20: Emperor Haile Selassie
addresses the League of Nations. The
League officially condemns the
Italian actions.

25. June 20: Emperor Haile Selassie
addresses the League of Nations. The
League officially condemns the
Italian actions.
July 4: League drops all sanctions
against Italy

26. June 20: Emperor Haile Selassie
addresses the League of Nations. The
League officially condemns the
Italian actions.
July 4: League drops all sanctions
against Italy
By February 1937 all Ethiopian forces
have been defeated.

30. The Abyssinian Crisis - Success or
Failure for the League of Nations?
Why?