Abyssinia CrisisAbyssinia Crisis

Mussolini Comes to PowerMussolini Comes to Power Italy fought with the Allies in Italy fought with the Allies in

WWI but were disappointed with WWI but were disappointed with the small amount of territory the small amount of territory they received in the peace they received in the peace settlements of Saint Germain. settlements of Saint Germain.

There was widespread socialist There was widespread socialist agitation and Italy’s economy agitation and Italy’s economy was faltering. The upper classes was faltering. The upper classes feared widespread socialist feared widespread socialist violence and strikesviolence and strikes

Mussolini had been the editor of Mussolini had been the editor of a socialist newspaper, but a socialist newspaper, but convinced that socialism would convinced that socialism would not work he formed the Fascist not work he formed the Fascist Party insteadParty instead

Mussolini Comes to PowerMussolini Comes to Power Mussolini’s Fascists believed in a strong Mussolini’s Fascists believed in a strong

state without class conflict. In Fascism, state without class conflict. In Fascism, individual freedoms can be sacrificed if individual freedoms can be sacrificed if that is better for the nation in the long that is better for the nation in the long run. Fascists had the support of the run. Fascists had the support of the military and the upper classes, as well as military and the upper classes, as well as much popular support among the people.much popular support among the people.

Mussolini’s fascist thugs called Mussolini’s fascist thugs called Blackshirts disrupted socialist rallies. By Blackshirts disrupted socialist rallies. By 1922 there was widespread violence in 1922 there was widespread violence in Italy.Italy.

In October 1922, Mussolini and his In October 1922, Mussolini and his Blackshirts marched on Rome and he Blackshirts marched on Rome and he was made Prime Minister. Over the next was made Prime Minister. Over the next 10 years, Italy became a Fascist 10 years, Italy became a Fascist Dictatorship as Mussolini’s Blackshirts Dictatorship as Mussolini’s Blackshirts destroyed all opposition.destroyed all opposition.

Abyssinia CrisisAbyssinia Crisis After the Great Depression, After the Great Depression,

Mussolini wanted to distract Mussolini wanted to distract his people from their economic his people from their economic woes by some foreign policy woes by some foreign policy gain.gain.

Italy already had 3 colonies in Italy already had 3 colonies in North Africa, neighbouring North Africa, neighbouring Abyssinia was a weak and Abyssinia was a weak and easy target.easy target.

In 1935-6 Italy invaded and In 1935-6 Italy invaded and easily overran the country. easily overran the country. Aircraft dropping poison gas Aircraft dropping poison gas were a feature of the were a feature of the campaign.campaign.

Response to the CrisisResponse to the Crisis Abyssinian Emperor Haile Selassie Abyssinian Emperor Haile Selassie

complained to the League who complained to the League who arranged sanctions.arranged sanctions.

Oil was not on the embargo list and Oil was not on the embargo list and the sanctions did not seriously the sanctions did not seriously affect Italy.affect Italy.

Meanwhile France and Britain Meanwhile France and Britain secretly try to arrange a secretly try to arrange a compromise called the Hoare-Laval compromise called the Hoare-Laval Pact where Italy was to be given Pact where Italy was to be given 2/3 of Abyssinia. The deal leaks 2/3 of Abyssinia. The deal leaks and is cancelled. Hoare is sacked.and is cancelled. Hoare is sacked.

Mussolini pulled Italy out of the Mussolini pulled Italy out of the LeagueLeague