The Abyssinian Crisis

by Daniel B (and George)

Introduction• The 'Scramble for Africa' took

place between the large European powers

• Very few countries were left, with Abyssinia being one of the main ones

• Abyssinia was ruled by the emperor Haile Selassie who later gave a large speech as a plea for his people

  

Why Did Italy Invade Abyssinia?• At the time of the Abyssinian

Crisis (1935-6) Italy was let by a guy called Mussolini.

• He wanted to be successful in foreign countries, and already had two colonies next to Abyssinia, so he decided to invade.

• The people living in Abyssinia were powerless to stop them, as the Italian's weapons were far superior.

How did the League Respond to Italy's Invasion?

Abyssinia appealed to the League of Nations after Italy invaded them, and this is what the League decided:• No country could sell arms to

Italy - however this wasn't very effective.

• Britain and France should send an army to confront Mussolini.

How did Britain and France respond?• Britain and France never wished to be too

harsh on Mussolini as they knew that Italy could be a powerful ally

• And so the French minister met Mussolini in Rome in 1935 to agree a truce, but it wasn't succesful

• The two countries also tried to create the Hoare Laval pact as a compromise between Italy and them, to carve up the land but it didn't work as it was leaked to the press and denounced

What was the Outcome of the Abyssinian Crisis?

• Britain and France decided to do nothing.

• Mussolini stayed in Abyssinia, and had no sanctions or armies from Britain and France to fight.

• The League of Nations failed at it's job yet again.

Victorious!

What effect did this have?• This crisis showed the

weakness of the league and destroyed it's reputation

• It showed that if someone wasn't going to agree, then the League had no power

• It showed how the League was scared and didn't wish to forbid vital resources

weaklings!______

But which of the Crisis' was worst?• It's up to you really, both

crisis' showed up the League and destroyed it's repuation

• However the Manchurian crisis showed a lack of control anywhere in the world and showed how members could just walk out and be unaffected by sanctions.

• Yet the Abyssinian showed how the league was reluctant to input sanctions of vital resources, and showed a lack of power

Fun Facts Page!• Did you know that Abyssinia is now known as Ethopia?• And that this is their flag?• Well you do now!

 Futher Reading:

• http://books.google.com/books?id=rpY562-RAzIC&pg=PA79#PPA77•  http://www.johndclare.net/league_of_nations6b.htm•  http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/abyssinia.htm•  http://www.sgfl.org.uk/haywoodhistory/gcse/international/leagueofnations/abyssinian• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir1/manchuriarev3.shtml•  http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/g3/

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