Italy Attacks Abyssinia Mussolini example essay topic

1. Japan invaded Manchuria, China, in 1931. They felt that it was essential to have control over it, as it was a valuable trade outlet. China seemed to be growing stronger under the rule of Chiang kai-shek and the Japanese feared that they might be excluded from Manchuria. Port Arthur and a privileged position in south Manchuria were given to Japan as a result of the Russo-Japanese war.

Since, Japan had invested millions of pounds on the development of industries and railways in Manchuria. In 1931, they controlled south Manchurian railway as well as the banking system. As they were suffering from the great depression, they felt that they could not stand by and watch themselves gradually squeezed out of such a valuable chance. The Japanese announced that they had turned Manchuria into an independent state of Manchukuo under the last Chinese emperor, Pu Yi. Though nobody was fooled, no action was taken against them. When Japan invaded Manchuria, the league ordered the Japanese troops to withdraw.

Lord Lytton was sent and he decided that both were wrong and ordered Manchuria to be governed by the league (1932). In 1933, Japan rejected and withdrew from the league. There were no military and economic sanctions. This was as Britain and France were suffering from the great depression and were reluctant to apply a trade boycott. Also they did not want to risk another chance of being involved in a war as they were ill equipped.

Japan defied the league and the prestige of the league was damaged. It was regarded as a failure. The decision made was not firm and no sanctions were carried out. Britain feared that there would be a loss of trade in Far East as a result, compromised world peace. 2. Demilitarization of Rhineland (march 1936).

Hitler enjoyed a series of successes. Hitler took the risk of sending in troops into the demilitarized zone of Rhineland. This was a breach of both the treaty of Versailles and Locarno. Though the troops had orders to withdraw at the first sight of the French opposition, no resistance was offered, except the usual verbal protests. At the same time, well aware of the mood of pacifism among his opponents, Hitler soothed them by offering a peace treaty that would last for 25 years. Though the French were disturbed by the Germans reoccupation of the Rhineland, the French did not mobilize their troops.

They were deeply divided and ultra cautious but received no backing from the British who were impressed by Hitler's offer of a 25-year peace. Lord Lothian was reported to have sent Hitler a telegram congratulating him on his success and also remarked that the Germans had merely entered their 'back garden'. The league took no action on Hitler who went against the treaty of Versailles. The league ceased to have any significant influence on subsequent events. The league remained weak as long as the members pursued their own national interests. 3.

Italy attacks Abyssinia (1935-1936) Mussolini joined Britain and France in condemning the German action of constriction and guaranteeing Austria. Both British and French carefully avoided mentioning the Abyssinian crisis, which was brewing. Mussolini took this to mean that they turned a blind eye to an Italian attack on Abyssinia. If the attack were a success, it would divert attention from internal troubles and provide a new market for Italian exports as Italy was suffering from the great depression.

It would also please the nationalists and colonists, avenge the defeat of 1896 and also boost Mussolini sagging population. It would secure new markets as well as regime population. Italy existing colonies in east Africa were not rewarding and his attempts to reduce Abyssinia to the position of Albania had failed. The defiance demonstrated the ineffectiveness of collective security. economic sanctions were imposed however it was useless as it excludes exports of oil, coal and steel, though oil would hamper the Italian attack. Non-members of the league continued to trade with Italy and Italy threatened war if supplies were cut off. The league prestige was further damaged when Britain foreign secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare had made a secret deal with Laval, the French prime minister to hand a large section of Abyssinia to Italy.

Britain and France were military and economically unprepared for war and avoided actions that would provoke Mussolini to declare war. they were hoping to revive the Stress Front and use Italy as an ally against Germany. However the Italians were annoyed and grew closer to Hitler, smaller states lost faith in the league and encouraged Hitler to overthrow the treaty of Versailles. 4. the Geneva conference (1932-1934). The disarmament conference met under Henderson, the British foreign secretary, it largely ignored the worked of the disarmament commission and was handicapped by Russian opposition and the instability of the German politics. France wanted guarantees of mutual security before disarmament, Germany wanted equality, which was rearmament. In 1933, Macdonald produced a new plan for a reduction of armaments partly designed to meet Germany's demand for equality, but Hitler was already the chancellor. The French alarmed by the increase in support for the Nazis, refused to disarm and allow Germany equality of armaments with them, they raised difficulties about the weapons to be allowed to Germany.

Hitler knew that Britain and Italy sympathized with Germany in Oct 1933, the Germans walked out. Hitler also withdrew from the league a week later. Germany now rearmed openly and there was no hope for disarmament and the conference last held its session in 1934.