Which event proved to be a greater threat to the League of Nations - the Japanese invasion of Manchuria or the Italian invasion of Abyssinia?
On the 2nd October, 1935, Abyssinia was attacked by Italy. The war lasted a year in which Italy successfully defeated Abyssinia, leaving Italy to occupy their country for 5 years. To do this they used 400,000 men, modern weaponry, aerial bombardment and the use of poisonous gas. The war was a reflection of an embarrassing defeat that Italy had in 1895–1896 against Abyssinia, with the claim that they were ‘restoring order in a vast country left in the most atrocious slavery and the most primitive conditions of existence’. Italy had marked out the region as its sphere of influence in the general scramble for Africa. After the capture of the country, which was shown by their Emperor Haile Selassie fleeing and therefore making the capital captured, the League of Nations began their involvement after they were demanded to apply economic sanctions. Due to both of the countries being in the League of Nations and both signing the Covenant of the League they should of followed Article 11 of the League’s agreement which stated that ‘Any war or threat of war was a matter of concern to the whole League and the League shall take action that may safeguard peace’. This indicates that the League should have many precautions in place to stop the invasion by settling in peace. The economic sanctions they then applied began with Britain and France obliging with the sanctions of no trade. However, there was differences in enthusiasm of applying between the countries as some were keener on the idea than others, as the sanction may not only affect Italy, but their own countries. This sanction which was put on Italy hurt Abyssinia more than it did Italy due to the small size of the country. This can be shown as a less effective method of peace settling as it is damaging the country in need. Boycotts were set on all Italian goods, there was a ban on exports of arms, rubber and metal, this was to try and damage their economy into agreeing with the terms of getting peace. However, this had very little effect on Italy due to Germany, USA and Japan not being committed to the sanctions, therefore they were able to import and export oil. This could prove a threat to the League of Nations as even though there were sanctions put in, which is stated in the agreement signed, no effect was made leaving the League looking weak in trying to stop the invasion. During the sanctions on Italy, negotiations were being made between France, Britain and Italy and was agreed that Italy could invade Abyssinia if they could help them in the war against Germany and Adolf Hitler. This proved that the League’s power was not effective on the countries, which also discredited their authority as other countries were going round the actions and commands of the League. In an attempt to come to an agreement, the League suggested that Italy should have some land and power in Abyssinia. This was refused by both Mussolini and Haelie which yet again reinforced the view of the League being powerless and having weak authority. Although, the negotiations never went through between France, Pierre Laval who was the French prime minister, and Samuel Hoare, British foreign secretary. This humiliated France and Britain due to being refused by Italy, as they wanted the Abyssinia to be independent and owned by Italy. This was then called a ‘double game’ as it was down behind the back of the League, and was strictly going against what the League had suggested. This strongly put the image of the League not being able to uphold anything and have a overall voice in the agreements of countries. This is also shown by Italy being able to occupy Abyssinia for 5 years whereas they should of been dismissed from the League due to the terms of the Covenant of the League which was signed. Overall in the invasion of Abyssinia, the League of Nations came out with a
