Italy- The Abyssinian Crisis

Italian Response to the Abyssinia Crisis

Italy was further isolated from the markets and wealth of Western Europe and its trade with the USA. Italy then began expanding its economic ties with central and southeastern Europe. IT became diplomatically isolated as well, with them refusing to participate in the London Naval Treaty conference that began in December 1935

Collective Security

This failed in an effort by the governments of Britain and France to keep Italy as an ally against Germany while satisfying the demands of the citizens. Italy was driven closer to Germany by the League's actions.

International Response to Albania's Invasion

-Britain and Frane did nothing -Greece and Yugoslavia were afraid of the Italians and did nothing -League of Nations ignored the situation -Soviet Union verbally opposed the invasion

Year Italy Left the League

1937 they left officially

Abyssinian Response to the Abyssinia Crisis

750,000 people were killed in Abyssinia. Crops and civilization were destroyed. Guerilla attacks on Italian forces were minor, but continued throughout Italy's occupation. There were no large scale revolts, most likely because Mussolini was extremely brutal to them (executions, gassing, etc)

USA Response to the Abyssinia Crisis

America stopped the sale of weapons to both countries involved. This was partially due to the Neutrality Acts. When Abyssinia was absorbed into the Italian empire, the USA refused to recognize the annexation

Beginning of WWII in Italy

By June 1940, Germany had conquered POland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and most of France. France was all but defeated by 10 June when Italy declared war and invaded it.

Why did Mussolini want to make an Italian empire at first?

He anted to make Italy a great power like Britain and France were perceived to be. Mussolini did not emphasize the economic advantages in his public announcements.

Zog's Actions Towards Italians

In 1932 and 1933, Zog closed all schools operated by Italians ans removed Italian military instructors and advisors. He wanted to demonstrate independence from Italy

Soviet Union Response to the Abyssinia Crisis

In 1935 they were going through economic reconstruction so they could not do much, but they did oppose the League's decisions. The USSR put up all economic sanctions against Italy, imposing an embargo on all trade.

Wal-Wal

In December 1934, this clash happened at this oasis between Italian and Abyssinian troops. It left 2 Italians dead and over 100 Abyssinian troops dead. Italy demanded an apology from Abyssinia and repayment for their losses. Abyssinia appealed to the League of Nations but the League decided that neither party was at fault. Italy then planned to invade Abyssinia. Germany and Britain both knew but did not want to do anything about it because they needed Italy against Germany

Pact of Steel

In May 1939, Italy and Germany signed a formal military alliance commonly known as this. They pledged to support each other in case of war. It called for mutual co-operation in economic areas and sharing of military aid, such as weapons. The germans did not take this pact very seriously. Italy was not ready to fight a major war when the Germans were, but Germany did not care and did not help supply them. They told them that they could stay out of the war. However, Italy still joined

Rome-Berlin Axis

In Oct 1936, Italy and Germany's relationship was formalized in this pact. This essentially outlined their mutual foreign policies and spheres of interest. Mussolini said he would not oppose Hitler's annexation of Austria

Albanian History

It was a small country with few people and great resources. It had been formed during the Balkan wars in 1912 and 1913. Italy seized Albania in 1915 so that the Allies could use the port of Durres. After WW1, italy worked to not let Greece have Albania, which led to a little conflict between Greece and Italy. President Zogu of Albania worked the system so he could get more power and eventually became King Zog of Albania in 1928

Mussolini's Main Reason for Abyssinia

It was all for Italian pride and not for economic advantage in Mussolini's eyes

Abyssinia location

It was conveniently located beside the Italian colonies of Somaliland and Eritrea.

Italy in the Spanish Civil War

Italy was deeply involved in Spain and they supported the conservative nationalist government of France. Mussolini hoped that France would become involved too and that would allow Italy to seize Corsica and parts of Southeastern France, but this did not happen. This ended up being a waste of money and troops

October 1935 (key event)

Italy's invasion of Abyssinia. Italy used modern war technology against them, such as aerial bombing and poison gas.

British and French Response to the Crisis

Laval, the French minister, had verbally promised Mussolini that France would not interfere with Italy's actions in Abyssinia because France's main concern was Germany. The public favored economic sanctions instead of force when dealing with italy. Europe (specifically Germany) was the main concern of Britain and France. They also saw italy as a country that would make more countries around the world not communist, which was a priority to them. They created the Hoare-Laval Pact

Italy's Response to Zog's Actions

Mussolini suspended the previous loan of money granted to Albania,leaving the government bankrupt. Albania turned to France for help, but France ould only do so if they got land. Albania continued discussion with Italy. Mussolini, in a show of force, landed military troops in the port of Durres in June 1934

League of Nations Response to the Abyssinia Crisis

October 1935, the League condemned the invasion. They gradually increased economic sanctions. They placed no embargo on oil either. Britain refused to close the Suez Canal to Italian shipping. Emperor Salassie wanted money and weapons, but the league refused. The crisis demonstrated that Britain and France would jettison key sanctions of the League's Covenant at will for their interests, despite pledging to do so otherwise.

Haile Selassie

The emperor of Abyssinia that escaped to Britain when all organized opposition to Italy's presence collapsed

What lands did Italy already have in Africa?

They had Libya, Eritrea and part of Somalia, but these territories were actually an embarassment because of their poverty.

What Italy wanted from Albania

They wanted Italian military instructors and advisors back into Albania's military, an end to the restriction of trade that Albania enforced with Italy, and constrction of Durres so it could be used by Italy's navy

Hoare-Laval Pact

This was created by France and Great Britain, and it placed 2/3 of Abyssinia under Italy's control and giving what was left to the independent Abyssinia. Created in December 1935. The plan was dropped because it was leaked to the public and there was an explosion of rage.

Italy's invasion of Albania

Zog was sent an ultimatum by Italy, and when Zog tried to change some of the conditios,Bthe Italians invaded without telling Germany. By April 10 1939, all of Albania was occupied.