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The Abyssinian Affair

The Abyssinian Affair. 1935. WHY did Mussolini want Abyssinia?. Revenge for Adowa Lack of large colonial empire Humiliation of Versailles Italian economy not in perfect shape Glorification of war. Dec 1934 Wal Wal. Italians provoked firefight over waterholes at Wal Wal

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The Abyssinian Affair

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  1. The Abyssinian Affair 1935

  2. WHY did Mussolini want Abyssinia? • Revenge for Adowa • Lack of large colonial empire • Humiliation of Versailles • Italian economy not in perfect shape • Glorification of war

  3. Dec 1934 Wal Wal • Italians provoked firefight over waterholes at Wal Wal • Mussolini used as excuse for war • Mussolini demanded Abysinnian troops salute Italian flag – such proud people would never agree • Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to LoN

  4. Laval visits Rome • French Foreign Minister visits Rome Jan 1935 • Anxious to unite Europe against Hitler • To please Italians gave them part of French Somaliland and sold France’s shares in Abysinnian Railway • Mussolini again feels he has blessing

  5. Fighting begins • Ballot showed 10,000,000 British voters thought sanctions should be used against aggressors • Sep 4 1935: Italians said Abyssinia is “barbarous and uncivilised state” • Fighting began October 3 – Italy invaded without declaring war

  6. Italian Campaign • War without tears and with modern methods • Opposing army unprepared

  7. International Implications • Britain and France tried to preserve League whilst keeping Hitler and Mussolini apart • Failed in both objectives • League condemned aggression announcing economic sanctions • Forbid loans, cease trade in arms, ban Italian imports • Russia and others continued to trade • French reluctant • Military sanctions out of question

  8. Hoare meets Laval • End conflict and keep Mussolini’s friendship • Press gets wind causing storm • Hoare resigns followed by Laval • British willing to contemplate all sorts of shady deals?? • Peace ballot reinforces public opinion • Smaller nations lose faith • Old-fashioned power bloc politics restored • Hitler takes note – indecisive and unwilling to act!

  9. The End! • Haile Selassie appears before Assembly of the League to make dignified appeal for help • None forthcoming • Mussolini’s Abysinnian adventure draws him closer to Hitler • Rome-Berlin Axis 1936 • Anti-Comintern Pact 1937 • Italy pull out of League • Collapse of Stresa Front

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