19th October 1935: League of Nations imposes sanctions on Italy for the invasion of Abyssinia
The Italian invasion began without a declaration of war on 3 October 1935, although the two nations had previously been embroiled in a territorial dispute over the Walwal oasis throughout which both countries had acted aggressively. However, the decisive invasion of Ethiopia by Italian troops stationed in nearby Eritrea saw the League of Nations declare Mussolini’s country the aggressor four days later. The League imposed limited sanctions which failed to restrict oil sales to Italy and access to the Suez Canal, which was used by Italy to transport troops, equipment and supplies. Therefore, although the speed at which the League acted was considerably quicker than during the Manchuria Crisis in which the League took a year to respond, the sanctions themselves were virtually worthless. Concerned about the rise of Hitler in Germany and the increasing danger of a European conflict, Britain and France were reluctant to punish Italy in case they were driven to ally with the Nazi dictator. They even began to formulate the secret Hoare-Laval Plan that would have granted large parts of Abyssinia to Italy, but were forced to cancel this when details became public and were met with popular opposition. Even after it became evident that Mussolini was using chemical weapons against Abyssinia, the League continued in its failure to impose stringent sanctions. Hitler’s remilitarisation of the Rhineland in March 1936 had made France desperate to keep Mussolini as an ally. When Abyssinia was finally captured on 5 May, all the sanctions were dropped.
The Italian invasion began without a declaration of war on 3 October 1935, although the two nations had previously been embroiled in a territorial dispute over the Walwal oasis throughout which both countries had acted aggressively. However, the decisive invasion of Ethiopia by Italian troops stationed in nearby Eritrea saw the League of Nations declare Mussolini’s country the aggressor four days later. The League imposed limited sanctions which failed to restrict oil sales to Italy and access to the Suez Canal, which was used by Italy to transport troops, equipment and supplies. Therefore, although the speed at which the League acted was considerably quicker than during the Manchuria Crisis in which the League took a year to respond, the sanctions themselves were virtually worthless. Concerned about the rise of Hitler in Germany and the increasing danger of a European conflict, Britain and France were reluctant to punish Italy in case they were driven to ally with the Nazi dictator. They even began to formulate the secret Hoare-Laval Plan that would have granted large parts of Abyssinia to Italy, but were forced to cancel this when details became public and were met with popular opposition. Even after it became evident that Mussolini was using chemical weapons against Abyssinia, the League continued in its failure to impose stringent sanctions. Hitler’s remilitarisation of the Rhineland in March 1936 had made France desperate to keep Mussolini as an ally. When Abyssinia was finally captured on 5 May, all the sanctions were dropped.