The Abyssinian Crisis (1935)

• In December 1934, a clash occurred between Italian and Ethiopian troops in the disputed Wal Wal area.

  
  

• Following this, Mussolini began deploying Italian forces into the neighboring colonies of Eritrea and Somaliland.

  
  

• By October 1935, Italy launched a full-scale invasion of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) with around 250,000 soldiers, without officially declaring war.

  
  

• The League of Nations, hoping to restore its reputation after failing in Manchuria, imposed economic sanctions on Italy. However, the sanctions were ineffective-vital goods like oil were excluded, and Italy’s access to the Suez Canal was not blocked, allowing the continued flow of military supplies.

  
  

• A secret deal known as the Hoare-Laval Pact proposed giving most of Abyssinia to Italy in exchange for peace. The pact was leaked to the French press by Mussolini, leading to public outcry and forcing Britain and France to abandon the plan.

  
  

• The crisis highlighted another major failure for the League, as collective security was not properly enforced and key members like Britain and France acted in their own interests rather than upholding League principles.

  
  

The End of the League of Nations

The League of Nations lost credibility after its failure to effectively respond to the crises in Manchuria and Abyssinia. Its inability to prevent conflict or take meaningful action in either case showed its overall weakness. With the outbreak of the Second World War, it became evident that the League had failed to achieve its primary goal of maintaining global peace. In 1946, the League officially ceased to exist, having been replaced by the United Nations (established in 1945), which had broader support and was seen as a more capable international body.

Pacts and Agreements

Locarno Pact (1925)

• Germany committed to keeping the Rhineland permanently free of military forces in exchange for negotiations concerning its admission to the League of Nations. Germany subsequently became a permanent member with veto rights in September 1926. However, this agreement was violated when Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936.

  
  

Locarno Treaties (1925)

• These treaties established mutual defense agreements between Germany, France, and Belgium to secure their borders. Britain and Italy acted as guarantors. France also forged similar security agreements with countries in Eastern Europe, reflecting its concern for national defense rather than relying solely on the League’s collective security framework.

Kellogg-Briand Pact (1927)

• Initially signed by French Foreign Minister Briand and U.S. Secretary of State Kellogg as a commitment to renounce war, the pact was later endorsed by 65 nations, including major powers such as Germany and Italy. Despite widespread support, the pact lacked legal enforcement, limiting its effectiveness in preventing future conflicts.

Geneva Protocol (1924)

• Introduced by British Prime Minister MacDonald and French Premier Herriot, the protocol required League members to submit disputes to binding arbitration through the Permanent Court of International Justice if bilateral negotiations failed. Enforcement would be supported by collective economic and military measures. Though it had the potential to strengthen the League significantly, the protocol was rejected when MacDonald’s successor government declined to ratify it.

Lytton Commission

• Lord Lytton led an inquiry into Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, spending six weeks investigating the situation. The commission concluded that while China had provoked Japan in some respects, Japan’s military aggression was unjustified. The League’s Assembly accepted this report in February 1933 with overwhelming support. Following this, Japan withdrew from the League.

  
  

Hoare-Laval Pact (1935)

• A covert arrangement between Britain and France aimed at resolving the Abyssinian crisis by ceding large portions of Abyssinia to Italy. This secret deal was widely condemned as it revealed Britain and France’s willingness to appease Mussolini rather than uphold collective security, thereby undermining the League’s authority.

Anglo-German Naval Agreement (1935)

• An agreement allowing Germany to build a navy up to 35% of the size of Britain’s fleet, negotiated without involving the League of Nations. This move violated the Treaty of Versailles and highlighted the League’s impotence, as Britain effectively endorsed German rearmament.

By Amelie Larsen Matsumoto and Florence Bishop