Failure of the League

The crisis over Abyssinia1935 - 37

By Mr Osbornewww.SchoolHistory.co.uk

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

October 1935 - Italian invasion beginsDecember 1935 - Britain and France

produce Hoare-Laval Plan. Large parts of Abyssinia to be given to Italy in return for Italian withdrawal. Public outcry- plan abandoned

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 complete conquest.

Hitler noted weakness of the League and remilitarize the Rhineland (March 1936)

June 1936 - Haile Selassie 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

Long Term Results

Countries lost faith in the LeagueCountries started to form secret

alliancesCountries started to rearm.

Aims of the Treaty of Versailles

Guilt - find some one to blameArmed forces to be dealt withReparations - who has to payGerman territories - what to do LEague of Nations to be formed

German reaction to Treaty of Versailles

UnrepresentedNot allowed to join League of NationsForced to accept terms - diktatAngry with armed forces reductionsInjustice - War guilt, loss of land etcReparations - set to high

Why the L of N failed

French and British self interestAbsent powers - USAIneffective sanctionsLack of an armed forceUnfair treatyReaching decisions too slowlyEuropean club, everyone had to agree

The steps to war 1936 - 39

Civil War in SpainRe-occupation of the RhinelandAnschluss with AustriaSudetenland crisisHitler takes over rest of CzechoslovakiaItaly and Germany form pact of StealNazi-Soviet PactGermany invades Poland