Failure of the League

The crisis over Abyssinia1935 - 37

Background to events

Abyssinia : An independent country ruled by Haile Selassie, the only independent black country in Africa. In 1896 its army had defeated an Italian invasion.

Mussolini : Fascist dictator of Italy, was determined to build an Empire. He also wanted revenge for defeat of 1896.

Timeline of Events

December 1934 - Italian troops provoke a clash at Wal Wal by building a fort inside Abyssinian border

April 1935 – Italy, France and Britain sign Stresa Front

October 1935 - Italian invasion begins December 1935 - Britain and France produce Hoare-

Laval Plan. Large parts of Abyssinia to be given to Italy (“lets make nice with Mussolini”) in return for Italian withdrawal. Public outcry when plan is leaked - plan abandoned, both Hoare and Laval resign

May 1936 Italian conquest complete

The League: actions and results

Dec 1934 offers arbitrationRejected by ItalyJan-Feb 1935 debates its responseNo further actionMay-Sept sets up a five power commissionAbyssinia rejects proposalsOct 1935 Italy condemned - limited

economic sanctions imposed

The League: actions and results

March 1936 - Oil embargo threatened

No impact. Italy pursues complete conquest. Hitler noted weakness of the League and remilitarizes the Rhineland (March 1936)

June 1936 - Haile Selassie (Abyssinian leader) addressed Assembly of League calling for help

No additional action by League

The League: actions and results

July 1936 - sanctions against Italy abandoned

Italy - Kept Abyssinia Became allied with Germany Left the Stresa Front Left the League (1937)

Why did the League Fail?

Britain and France were unwilling to take a lead. They feared Italian action against their interests in the area

Also wanted to keep Mussolini in the Stresa Front to contain the threat posed by Hitler.

The Hoare-Laval Plan discredited and weakened the League

As a result … Countries lost faith in the League Countries started to form secret alliances Countries started to re-arm.

HELPFUL STUDY REMINDERS

Why the L of N failed

F rench and British self interestA bsent powers - USAI neffective sanctionsL ack of an armed forceU nfair treatyR eaching decisions too slowlyE uropean club, everyone had to agree

The steps to war 1936 - 39

C ivil War in SpainR e-occupation of the RhinelandA nschluss with AustriaS udetenland crisisH itler takes over rest of CzechoslovakiaI taly and Germany form Pact of Steel -1939N azi-Soviet PactG ermany invades Poland