invasion of abyssinia

phase 1 - the League plays for time

Period: Jan 15, 1935 to Oct 20, 1935

Mussolini prepares to invade Abyssinia

Jan 20, 1935

while supposedly negotiating with the League to settle disputes, Mussolini was also preparing an army to send to Africa

Stresa Pact

Feb 20, 1935

as the most potential ally against Hitler, Italy was sought out by the League to sign this agreement that would unite them against Germany

Britian's public outcry

Mar 20, 1935

a ballot taken in Britain showed that a majority of the population supported the use of miliary force to defend Abyssinia

the League creates a compromise

Sep 4, 1935

a League committee reported that no side was responsible for the Wal-Wal incident. thus, the League offered a part of Abyssinia to Italy that Mussolini would come to reject

Mussolini's army is ready to advance

Oct 20, 1935

Mussolini launches his full-scale invasion on Abyssinia

phase 2 - sanctions or not?

Period: Oct 20, 1935 to May 20, 1936

League delays decisions regarding Abyssinia

Nov 20, 1935

a League committee to decide sanctions to impose on Italy is set up. unfortunately, decision-making was delayed due to some economic problems to consider for the League

Hoare and Laval plan in secret

Dec 20, 1935

Hoare and Laval, British and French foreign ministers, planned secretly to give Mussolini two-thirds of Abyssinia to withdraw the invasion. however, the plans were leaked out to the public, giving Britain and France a bad image overall

League committee concludes decision and imposes sanction on Italy

Feb 20, 1936

the League had finally decided to stop oil sales regarding Italy. unfortunately, Mussolini had already taken over most of Abyssinia. also, the Americans were disgusted by past French and British leader decisions that the country was against supporting any League sanctions

Hitler marches into the Rhineland

Mar 20, 1936

while the League was preoccupied with problems with Italy, Hitler chose to start Germany's comeback, marching into the Rhineland

Italy continues to defy League orders

May 20, 1936

Italy had overtaken the capital of Abyssinia, Addis Ababa. by then, Mussolini had formally annexed the entire country and the League had officially failed.

Hitler and Mussolini sign the Rome-Berlin axis agreement

Nov 20, 1936

the agreement called the Rome-Berlin axis