THE ABYSSINIAN CRISIS
This page is about the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935 and 1936. Look at the map of Africa below:
Abyssinia was in East Africa and part of what is still known as the Horn of Africa. It is now known as Ethiopia. Again, much like the Manchurian Crisis, there were underlying causes behind the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, as well as a subtext.
In this case the underlying reasons for the Italian invasion was:
The subtext for the Italian invasion was a border dispute between Abyssinia and the Italian Somaliland territory.
As soon as Italy announced its intention to invade, there was huge pressure on the League to act. Unlike with Manchuria, this was not in a remote corner of the globe (although the League claimed to be a global organization, the fact was that it was very much Euro-centric, or overly concerned with European matters). Italy shared a border with France and Abyssinia bordered British and French colonies in Africa.
The events that followed effectively ended the League as an international organization based around collective security and shamed the British and French governments.
By 1935, Britain and France were concerned emerging potential threats in Europe. They had already 'lost' Japan over Manchuria. Now, they were witnessing the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party in Germany. Both countries were concerned when Hitler pulled out of an international disarmament conference in 1934 and saw Mussolini's Italy as useful ally in the event of future aggression from Nazi Germany. They had signed the Stresa Pact in early 1935 which acted as a protest against Germany's rearmament and a promise to stand united against German aggression. Therefore, their first instinct was to buy time and hope to avoid a confrontation with Italy.
In this case the underlying reasons for the Italian invasion was:
- The rich mineral deposits within Abyssinia
- A humiliating Italian defeat at the hands of the Abyssinians 40 years earlier
- Italian nationalism, which provided Mussolini the support he needed to remain leader. He often talked about restoring the glory of the Roman Empire and required regular military victories to do this
The subtext for the Italian invasion was a border dispute between Abyssinia and the Italian Somaliland territory.
As soon as Italy announced its intention to invade, there was huge pressure on the League to act. Unlike with Manchuria, this was not in a remote corner of the globe (although the League claimed to be a global organization, the fact was that it was very much Euro-centric, or overly concerned with European matters). Italy shared a border with France and Abyssinia bordered British and French colonies in Africa.
The events that followed effectively ended the League as an international organization based around collective security and shamed the British and French governments.
By 1935, Britain and France were concerned emerging potential threats in Europe. They had already 'lost' Japan over Manchuria. Now, they were witnessing the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party in Germany. Both countries were concerned when Hitler pulled out of an international disarmament conference in 1934 and saw Mussolini's Italy as useful ally in the event of future aggression from Nazi Germany. They had signed the Stresa Pact in early 1935 which acted as a protest against Germany's rearmament and a promise to stand united against German aggression. Therefore, their first instinct was to buy time and hope to avoid a confrontation with Italy.
However, public opinion in Britain strongly supported the defense of Abyssinia from Italy, even the use of military force if necessary. With an election looming, British politicians acted tough in order to win popular support. Much was said about the importance of collective security and the need to defend smaller nations from more powerful ones.
However, once the election was over, the mood changed. Mussolini rejected the League's report that suggested a compromise over Abyssinia (neither side was a fault but Italy should be given some of Abyssinia).
When Mussolini began an invasion in late 1935, the League agreed to pass a series of economic sanctions. However, they failed to pass vitally important oil sanctions, fearing that they wouldn't work with US support. Britain and France also failed to close the Suez Canal to the Italians. As you can see below, the canal (which both countries owned) allowed ships to navigate from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea without navigating around the bottom of Africa, saving these ships much time.
However, once the election was over, the mood changed. Mussolini rejected the League's report that suggested a compromise over Abyssinia (neither side was a fault but Italy should be given some of Abyssinia).
When Mussolini began an invasion in late 1935, the League agreed to pass a series of economic sanctions. However, they failed to pass vitally important oil sanctions, fearing that they wouldn't work with US support. Britain and France also failed to close the Suez Canal to the Italians. As you can see below, the canal (which both countries owned) allowed ships to navigate from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea without navigating around the bottom of Africa, saving these ships much time.
Finally, in December 1935, the French press leaked details of the Hoare-Laval Plan (named after Hoare, the British Foreign Minister, and Laval, the French Foreign Minister). This had been a secret attempt by both politicians to give Italy two thirds of Abyssinia as long as Mussolini called off the invasion. Public opinion in both countries towards the plan was furious and both ministers were sacked.
Meanwhile the League still delayed the much-needed oil sanctions against Italy, even after a League committee concluded that the sanctions did not require US support to succeed. Eventually, the US were so disgusted with the actions of the League that they even stepped up oil exports to Italy.
In early 1936, Germany remilitarized the Rhineland, an act prohibited by the Treaty of Versailles. France felt so threatened by this that they were prepared to keep the support of Italy at any cost. This was the final nail in the coffin for an independent Abyssinia. Italy completed its invasion as the League looked on helplessly.
To add insult to injury, in late 1936 Mussolini signed an agreement with Hitler, known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. In 1937, Italy left the League altogether. Britain and France had acted indecisively over Abyssinia in order not to lose the support of the Italians, fatally wounding the League of Nations as a result. Ultimately, it made no difference as Italy got their way and formed an alliance with Nazi Germany.
Meanwhile the League still delayed the much-needed oil sanctions against Italy, even after a League committee concluded that the sanctions did not require US support to succeed. Eventually, the US were so disgusted with the actions of the League that they even stepped up oil exports to Italy.
In early 1936, Germany remilitarized the Rhineland, an act prohibited by the Treaty of Versailles. France felt so threatened by this that they were prepared to keep the support of Italy at any cost. This was the final nail in the coffin for an independent Abyssinia. Italy completed its invasion as the League looked on helplessly.
To add insult to injury, in late 1936 Mussolini signed an agreement with Hitler, known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. In 1937, Italy left the League altogether. Britain and France had acted indecisively over Abyssinia in order not to lose the support of the Italians, fatally wounding the League of Nations as a result. Ultimately, it made no difference as Italy got their way and formed an alliance with Nazi Germany.
