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The interwar years - 1919-1939 - Part 3 (Abyssinian crisis (Mussolini had…
The interwar years - 1919-1939 - Part 3
Manchurian crisis
Japans population was rapidly increasing and they needed more space. After the wall street crash, they had no one to trade silk with.
The Japanese invaded Manchuria to get more land and resources so China appealed to the league for help.
Eventually the league sent over a person to investigate the situation but Japan had continued the invasion through out this time.
The league told Japan to stop so they just left the league, leaving them powerless and unpunished. It may have also given Mussolini the idea to invade Abyssinia.
Why did the league not act in Manchuria ?
Because Japan left the league so they couldn't enforce any real punishments.
Because they didn't have enough money.
Because Manchuria was no real interest to them and was very far away so they weren't threatened.
Because by the time they'd sent someone over, it was already to late,
Abyssinian crisis
Mussolini had previously tried to invade Abyssinia (1896) but failed so whilst Mussolini was "negotiating" with the league, he sent troops to Africa.
In 1935, he refused the leagues compromise and launched a full scale invasion of Abyssinia.
The league banned all arms and metals trading with Italy and eventually banned oil, but USA still traded with them as they were not part of the league meaning they were undermined again.
In the middle of 1936, Italy gained Abyssinia and the league had failed once again.
Italy invaded as they also needed more land but wanted revenge as well.
Why did the league not act in Abyssinia ?
Italy was powerful and they didn't want to upset it to much.
The USA was still trading so there sanctions did nothing.
Mussolini was quite an unpredictable leader so he was not a good person to have as an enemy.
Why were Abyssinia and Manchuria so important ?
Abyssinia was a major distraction from Hitler rearming Germany.
Manchuria showed other countries (particularly Italy) that the league could be undermined.
It brought all the leagues flaws to the surface and made them look weak and cowardly.