HISTORY IGCSE REVISION CARDS - 031. ABYSSINIAN CRISIS

1. More Lessons and Revisions - YouTube Channel / Mr D History
‘THE LEAGUE DID ALL WITHIN ITS POWER TO DEAL
WITH THE ABYSSINIAN CRISIS.’ HOW FAR DO YOU
AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT? EXPLAIN YOUR
ANSWER. (10)
Yes, they did (3)
The League acted swiftly when Italy invaded Abyssinia,
condemning Italy’s aggression, and setting up a committee to
decide upon economic sanctions to cause problems for Italy’s
economy and her war effort.
The League banned arms sales and the export of rubber, tin,
and metals to Italy. Loans to Italy were banned as were
imports from Italy. It was hoped these actions would stop Italy.
No, they did not (2)
The League simply did not do enough. Some countries acted in
self-interest and this affected exactly what was done to Italy.
The Suez Canal was the main route for Italian ships to take
supplies to the Italian army and closing it would have caused
immense problems for Italy.

2. More Lessons and Revisions - YouTube Channel / Mr D History
The League did not close the Suez Canal; it was kept open
because Britain was afraid that closing it would mean Italian
attacks on her colonial possessions of Gibraltar and Malta.
They threatened to over tax their oil exports but stop short in
doing that.
Conclusion plus evaluation
League’s powers were limited, and the League did all in its
powers to resolve the Mukden Incident. Unfortunately, they
did not do enough, as the great powers did not want to see
their colonial interests affected by an eventual decision against
Japan.