Year 9 - H&G Notes - 6.5.14

Thai Sikh International School

History Notes-For Year 9

[The conquest of Abyssinia]

1. What happened at the Battle of Adowa?

In 1896 the Abyssinians destroyed an Italian Army at Adowa. The battle stopped Italy for a While but after Adowa many Italians wanted to take revenge.

2.  Why was Mussolini keen to Conquer Abyssinia?

After the Depression in 1930 Mussolini decided to strengthen his position by a successful war. When he saw Hitler planning to dominate in central Europe, Mussolini decided to took south to make Italy a great Mediterranean power. This led him to think about an Italian return to Abyssinia.

3. What was the Stresa Front? What Was the Anglo German Naval agreement?

In april1935 Mussolini met the French and British prime minister in the Italian town of Stresa. They condemned German breaches of the Treaty of Versailles. People began to talk about the Stresa front: An anti German grouping of Italy, Britain and France.

After the stresa Front, Britain signed a treaty with Germany over the strength of their Navies. It fixed the size of the German Navy at 35%of the British Navy and allowed Germany to have Submarines. France and Italy were annoyed by this agreement. This is called the Anglo Naval agreement.

3. What Was the Hoare-Laval Pact? Did it succeed?

In December 1935 the British Foreign secretary, Hoare had secret talks with Laval, the prime minister of France. They designed a compromise, known as Hoare –Laval Pact, which Abyssinia would have been divided into two, with Italy given the richer part. However the Pact were leaked to the press and finally Hoare was forced to resign.

4. Why do you think the sale of oil and petrol was important to the Italian army in Abyssinia?

In order to continue the war in Abyssinia, Italy wanted to have more oil and petrol for using in war ships and vehicles. Although the League of Nations imposed a trade ban; it did not include the trade in oil and petrol. Therefore Italy could continue the war.

5. Explain in your own words the consequence of the Italian conquest0f Abyssinia? In your answer  you should mention :

a:The reputation of the League.

b. The advantages of the crisis of Hitler.

Mussolini attacked Abyssinia on 3^rd October 1935 and bombed the town of Adowa. Britain and France were caught in a dilemma. They did not want to annoy Mussolini, but they wanted to support the League of Nations with the idea of collective security.Abyssinia was the member of League of Nations .The League condemned Italian action and imposed a trade ban except on oil and petrol. Therefore Italy could continue the war and eventually Abyssinia was defeated.

             The League of Nations was broken by the Abyssinian crisis. Afterwards no one took it seriously. The failure of League of Nations was highlighted by Haile Selassie, the Abyssinian emperor. Thus the reputation of the League was affected.

                The Abyssinian attack was an advantage to Hitler. This crisis provided Hitler with an opportunity for his first act of aggression-the sending of German troops into the Rhine land area. Moreover Rome Berlin Axis and the Anti –Comintern pact strengthened the position of Hitler.

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