Build up to the Abyssinian Crisis 1935

In 1935, the Italian army under Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia). Mussolini wanted to recreate the Roman Empire and was a prominent member of the League of Nations. Unlike the conflict in Manchuria, the League of Nations could not ignore the conflict as it was so close to their headquarters in Europe, and Abyssinia had borders to many imperial possessions of France and Britain.

In 1934, the was a dispute between Italian and Abyssinian forces in the Wal-Wal oasis. Mussolini used this as a reason for the invasion of Abyssinia in 1935. During this march to war, the Abyssinian leader, Haile Selassie, took his case to the League of Nations in the hope of receiving assistance from them. The crisis can be divided in a number of phases. During phase one from January 1935 and October 1935, Mussolini prepared for invasion of Abyssinia. Britain and France delayed any action between the League of Nations. Britain and France were more concerned with the rise of Hitler and needed Mussolini to help them against Hitler. To combat this Britain and France signed the Stresa Pact with Mussolini. However, despite this public opinion was turning against Italy and many in Britain supported the use of force against Italy in Abyssinia. It was at this point that many British politicians began to speak about how Italy was in the wrong and should be protected by the League. However this did not result in action, just more talk and debate. The League eventually declared that in the Wal-Wal incident no one could be held to blame and as such Italy should be given some of Abyssinia. Mussolini didn’t agree and in October 1935, his armies invaded Abyssinia.