ITALIAN EXPANSION, 1933-1940

Test :

First question part a- 3 marks

According to source B, this Italian invasion from Abyssinia should have been carried out with
a certain overwhelming power, also with a certain powerful speed and with certain
diplomatic precautions. Already, Marshal Badoglio announced that there was only one
option for Italy that it was "force alone" to fight Abyssinia, with the objectives of "complete
destruction" also of the Abyssinian forces and of "total conquest" coming from the country.
Then the invasion had to be undertaken "quickly" and the more they catch up and fight the
Abyssinians "quickly", the less likely it is that other European countries intervene and
intermingle. And then to finish, this invasion could only be done if the British and the French
gave their agreement. Badoglio said speed is a very necessary thing in order to be able to
alleviate a certain "danger of diplomatic complications" and that it can only be avoided if
"British and French interests are recognized" in order to prevent their opposition and also
their intervention.

First question, part B (2 marks)

One of the messages conveyed by the Source A artist is that Italy is technologically much
stronger than the Abyssinians. The artist from source A shows it to us by showing us
technologies like planes coming from the Italian air force by seeing them fly over the
Abyssinian troops and drop bombs on them, while the (Abyssinian) enemies do have no air
force to repel them. Then another message is also sent, which is that the Italians are
superior, they have more domination over their Abyssinian rivals. The artist of the source A
for this, places Italy in the foreground, which makes them stronger and larger also which still
shows us a superiority over the Abyssinians. One of the only dead soldiers shown is that of
the Abyssinians, and also the two soldiers who were locked up during the fight, and we can
see that the Italian soldier seems to have much more advantage over the Abyssinian soldier.

Second question- 4 marks

Origin: Memorandum from Marshal Badoglio, Chief of General Staff to Mussolini, December
1934.

Values: This is obvious because we know who wrote it and when they wrote it.

Limitations: The limitations are that we (the readers and viewers) have no idea whether this
is the right information or the wrong information.

Purpose: This was written because he wanted to explain how very important it was to take
control over the Abyssinians and in what ways they were going to do it.

Italy was very affected by the Abyssinian crisis in several different ways, economically,
politically, they also had certain restrictions coming from the USA which put them in an
awkward position. This therefore encouraged Mussolini to change certain policies in order to
be able to improve economically.

Third question- 6 marks

Source B explains that Italians have more strength than Abyssinians, Italians have more
technological strength than Abyssinians. Mussolini's goal is to be able to fight the Abyssinian
army as quickly as possible so that he can build his empire as quickly as possible. The faster
the actions are taken, the less risk there will be of diplomatic complications. But for that they
need an authorization from the French and the British.

Source C explains that Mussolini does not hide his excitement to want to change the status
of his country by increasing his influence around the Mediterranean and also by expanding
his empire. Mussolini has serious economic problems; the Depression has done a lot of
damage and makes the task much more difficult. Mussolini was more and more cheerful
about a future victory against the Abyssinians.

Source B and Source C, the two sources explain that Mussolini was only talking about his
great ambition for Italy to become a stronger country and that for that he should increase
his influence around the Mediterranean and enlarge his empire.
The two sources agree on the fact that Mussolini has very good technological equipment,
and he wants to be able to fight the Abyssinians as quickly as possible, but that for that he
would need an authorization from France and the British. From both sources we can also
understand that Italy has serious economic problems unlike Japan and that the Depression
has done great damage to Italians.

Fourth question- 9 marks

The Italian invasion of Abyssinian, which took place between 1934 and 1936, was an effect
of many factors. From the fascist ideal for a war and nationalist ambition thanks to the
financial need for expansion and at the end of the defeat in 1896, all of the following were
led to the epidemic conflict. As a source B and C state, the Abyssinia invasion was a chance
for Italy to expand its empire. In order to meet the Italian nationalist goals in the long term,
Italy had to acquire colonies. Mussolini's goal was to create great power, like Britain or
France, and undermine their dominant position in Europe at the same time to demonstrate
its strength in Germany. His aspiration was to create a power that looked like the Roman
Empire and thus to control much of the African area and the Mediterranean. Therefore,
Abyssinia, easy to conquer, an ideal goal for its expansion. Mussolini's ambitions were in no
way tamed, such as the Stresa Conference, he made sure that Britain and France would not
oppose its expansion. The source states another reason why the abyssinian invasions lie in
the very nature of fascism. War Only for matches was one of the principles of fascist
ideology. In addition, Mussolini had to support his own personality worship. As he charges,
he had to cultivate his position and picture of a strong and intrepid head of the Italian
nation. The brood of Abyssinia would strengthen his position as a leader and win for his
support from the masses. Source C suggests the invasion of \\ u200babyssinia has also been
caused by financial problems and resources. The country affected by the great depression
was not able to acquire an industrial and agricultural autarky, the original goal of Mussolini.
As a result, emergency focus on public opinion on the successes of fascism. Victory over
Abyssinia Mal Modernism was a simple way to distract society. In addition, the conquest of
Abyssinia would give the emigration areas and possibly natural resources. In addition,
Abyssinia would become an export market for Italian goods and a source of military force for
the Italian army. Finally, the invasion of \\ u200babyssinia was the impact of long-term
conflict between the two countries. First of all, it offered a chance to avenge the humiliating
Italian defeat in 1896 in the ADWA fight. The new border between the Italian colonial area
and Abyssinia was unclear. Mussolini used this to provoke an incident, and in December
1934, the forces collided in the two countries in the Wall Libel region. As a source A and B,
Mussolini suggests that the Italian forces had been attacked by Abyssinians and that Italians
were only in self-defense. Because of the death of Italians under this event, Mussolini
required an excuse and compensation. However, his claim was refused, and the league of \\
u200bnations was asked by the Emperor in Abyssinian, Haile Selassie, to investigate the
question. As a result, Mussolini left as the states of source B the diplomatic channel and
prepared for invasion. In conclusion, Italians had many reasons to invade Abyssinia. Forced
financial problems and encouraged by their nationalist ambitions and their fascist ideals they
started a war with Abyssinia. However, none of the invasion can justify the violent nature of
their actions.