As a historian with a focus on 20th-century international relations, I can provide a detailed account of the events leading up to and including the invasion of Ethiopia by Italy in 1935. This period was marked by the rise of aggressive expansionist policies by fascist regimes, which significantly impacted the geopolitical landscape of Europe and Africa.

In the early 1930s, Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, was pursuing a policy of aggressive expansion known as "fascist imperialism." Mussolini envisioned a new Roman Empire, with Italy at its center, and sought to expand its territories through military conquest.

Ethiopia, a sovereign nation in the Horn of Africa, was targeted by Mussolini due to its strategic location and resources. The invasion, known as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, began in October 1935. This act of aggression was a clear violation of international law and the League of Nations' covenant, which Italy had signed.

The invasion of Ethiopia was met with widespread condemnation from Western democracies. The use of chemical weapons by Italian forces against Ethiopian troops and civilians was particularly criticized. This marked a significant moment in the lead-up to World War II, as it highlighted the inability of the League of Nations to enforce its own mandates and the growing threat of fascist expansion.

From 1936 to 1939, the Spanish Civil War provided another stage for the ambitions of Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. The two dictators supported the Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco against the Republican government. Their intervention in Spain was a testing ground for military tactics and technology that would later be used in the broader conflict of World War II.

The alliance between Mussolini and Hitler, formalized with the Pact of Steel in 1939, further solidified their shared goals of territorial expansion and the creation of a new order in Europe. This partnership would play a pivotal role in the events leading to the outbreak of World War II.

In conclusion, the invasion of Ethiopia by Italy in 1935 was a critical event that revealed the aggressive intentions of the fascist regime and the failure of the international community to respond effectively. It set the stage for further acts of aggression and the eventual global conflict that was World War II.

read more >>

EthiopiaWW2: 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.read more >>