The Abyssinian

Crisis
1934-1936

By­ Matthew Jones 
and Josh Akers 
 Why did Italy invade Abyssinia?
• After coming to power in 1922, Benito Mussolini became the new
dictator of Italy.
• He promised his people greatness and power.
• In 1934, however, he realised that to achieve this for his people he
needed a victory.
• Therefore, in 1934, he began gathering his troops on the border of
Abyssinia, a colony they attempted to invade in 1896, but failed.
• He chose Abyssinia due to its richness, in respect to its soil, and
because they wanted revenge.
 What was Britain and France's role in the 
crisis? (The Hoare­Laval Pact)
• After attacking in October 1935, the leader of Abyssinia,  Haile 
Selassie, appealed to the League Of Nations for help.
•  After meeting, and attempting to negotiate, Samuel Hoare of 
Britain and  Pierre Laval of France took matters ino their own 
hands, undermining the league, and making a 'Pact' or agreement 
on what should happen.
• The Hoare­Laval Pact, decided that 
       Abyssinia would be split up, giving 
       Italy the northern and southern fertile 
       lands and the Abyssinians the main 
       section. 
 
 What was the outcome of the Abyssian 
Crisis?
• After this plan failed, and the League being unable to act due to 
their sanctions failing, Mussolini continued to invade. 
•  The League's involvement was a disaster; weakening it 
immensly.
• By 1936, Italy had completely invaded and taken over Abyssinia.
• It was this crisis and the Manchurian crisis that set things in 
motion for the beginning of another world war: WW2. 
 What effect did the crisis have on the 
League Of Nations?
• The crisis effected the League in a number of ways. Such as:
 
• Weakening them to the point where they were no more use.
• Making them untrustworthy and unreliable.
• Taking away their international powers and abilities.
 
By 1939 the League had disbanded and WW2 was beginning.