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Conflict and Tension 1918-1939Key Facts

Timeline of the Crisis

Part of Abyssinia Crisis — GCSE History

This key facts covers Timeline of the Crisis within Abyssinia Crisis for GCSE History. Revise Abyssinia Crisis in Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 2 of 10 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 10

Practice

8 questions

Recall

5 flashcards

📅 Timeline of the Crisis

DateEvent
Dec 1934Wal-Wal Incident — clash between Italian and Abyssinian troops at oasis
Oct 1935Italy invades Abyssinia with modern army (tanks, planes, poison gas)
Nov 1935League imposes economic sanctions — BUT no oil, steel, or coal ban!
Dec 1935Hoare-Laval Pact leaked — secret deal to give Italy 2/3 of Abyssinia
May 1936Italy conquers Abyssinia completely. Emperor Haile Selassie flees.
July 1936Sanctions lifted. Italy leaves League. Forms alliance with Hitler.

💥 The Hoare-Laval Pact — Betrayal Exposed

This secret deal killed the League:

  • What was it? Secret agreement between British Foreign Secretary Hoare and French PM Laval
  • The deal: Give Italy 2/3 of Abyssinia in exchange for stopping the war
  • Leaked: French press revealed it in December 1935
  • Public outrage: Both men forced to resign. Seen as betrayal of League principles.
  • Message: Britain and France cared more about keeping Italy happy than about collective security

    • The irony: They wanted to keep Italy away from Hitler. The betrayal pushed Mussolini INTO Hitler's arms!

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    Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Abyssinia Crisis. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

    Setting the SceneWhy Did Sanctions Fail?Why Did This Happen?Key Terms

    Practice Questions for Abyssinia Crisis

    What was the Wal-Wal Incident of December 1934?

    • A. Italy formally declared war on Abyssinia at the oasis of Wal-Wal
    • B. A clash between Italian and Abyssinian troops at an oasis on the disputed border
    • C. The League of Nations voted to impose sanctions after a battle at Wal-Wal
    • D. Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to the League after troops mutinied at Wal-Wal
    1 markfoundation

    What did the Hoare-Laval Pact propose?

    • A. Immediate military intervention by Britain and France to defend Abyssinia
    • B. Total economic blockade of Italy including an oil embargo
    • C. A secret deal to give Italy approximately two-thirds of Abyssinia in exchange for peace
    • D. The expulsion of Italy from the League of Nations for its aggression
    1 markfoundation

    Quick Recall Flashcards

    What was the Hoare-Laval Pact?
    Secret deal to give Italy 2/3 of Abyssinia — leaked, both ministers resigned
    Why did sanctions fail?
    No oil ban, Suez Canal stayed open, USA not in League

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    Setting the Scene

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    Why Did Sanctions Fail?