Why did Italy attack Ethiopia in 1935?

As a historian with a focus on the interwar period and World War II, I can provide an analysis of Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. This event is often seen as a precursor to the larger conflicts that would later engulf the world in the Second World War. The reasons for Italy's attack on Ethiopia are multifaceted and deeply rooted in a combination of historical, political, and economic factors. Historical Ambitions: Italy, under Benito Mussolini, harbored a desire to restore the glory of the Roman Empire. Ethiopia was seen as a key part of this imperial dream, especially after the defeat in the First Italo-Ethiopian War in 1896. Mussolini wanted to avenge this earlier defeat and establish a new Italian empire in Africa. Strategic Interests: Ethiopia was strategically important due to its location. It provided access to the Red Sea and potential routes to the Indian Ocean, which were crucial for trade and military purposes. Control over Ethiopia would also allow Italy to project power into the Middle East and Africa. Economic Motivations: The Great Depression had a significant impact on the Italian economy, and Mussolini believed that the expansion of Italian territory would provide much-needed resources and markets for Italian goods. Ethiopia was rich in resources such as gold, silver, and agricultural products that Italy sought to exploit. Internal Politics: Mussolini's domestic policy was heavily focused on propaganda and the glorification of the Fascist regime. The invasion of Ethiopia served to distract from domestic issues and to rally the Italian people around the regime. It was a show of strength and a demonstration of Italy's military prowess. International Relations: At the time, the League of Nations was a relatively new entity, and its response to the invasion would set a precedent for how it would handle future aggressions. Italy was a member of the League, and its actions tested the League's ability to enforce international law and maintain peace. Racial Ideology: Fascist Italy subscribed to a racial hierarchy that placed white Europeans at the top. The invasion of Ethiopia was justified by a belief in the racial superiority of Italians over the Ethiopian population, which was used to justify the subjugation and exploitation of the Ethiopian people. Military Doctrine: The Italian military was influenced by the theories of "total war," which emphasized the use of overwhelming force to achieve rapid victory. The Ethiopian campaign was an opportunity to test these theories and to modernize the Italian military. Diplomatic Isolation: Prior to the invasion, Italy had been diplomatically isolated due to its aggressive foreign policy. Mussolini saw the conquest of Ethiopia as a way to break this isolation and to gain recognition and respect from other nations. The League of Nations Response: The League of Nations did impose sanctions on Italy following the invasion, but these were not comprehensive and did not significantly hinder Italy's military campaign. The failure of the League to effectively respond to the invasion weakened its credibility and contributed to its eventual ineffectiveness in preventing the outbreak of World War II. In conclusion, Italy's attack on Ethiopia in 1935 was driven by a complex interplay of historical ambitions, strategic interests, economic motivations, internal politics, international relations, racial ideology, military doctrine, and diplomatic isolation. The invasion marked a significant step in the escalation of global tensions that would lead to the Second World War.

WW2: Italy invades Ethiopia. In 1935, the League of Nations was faced with another crucial test. Benito Mussolini, the Fascist leader of Italy, had adopted Adolf Hitler's plans to expand German territories by acquiring all territories it considered German.Mar 2, 2015