Why did Mussolini take
over Ethiopia? How was it
significant?
over Ethiopia? How was it
significant?
The three website I used in my research are:
1. SAHO South African History Online
This website is credible because it has the contact information to the makers of the website who wrote the article. The website also has three hyperlinks within the articles and the website ends in .org which means that the website is from a non-profit organization.
2. Encyclopedia Britannica
This website is credible because it has the contact information to the website creators who wrote the article. The website also has more than three hyperlinks within the articles and it was updated last year on December 9, 2014.
3. TeachWar
This website is credible because it has the contact information to the website creators who wrote the article in the “About” link at the top of the website. The website also has more than three hyperlinks within the articles and it was updated three years ago on April 17, 2012.
My Findings:
Website 1
In the rise of the dictators, many dictators wanted to expand their territory in order to become the most powerful country. The information in the first website shows that Mussolini had the same aspirations as Adolf Hitler and Hideki Tojo to expand their territory and power. Benito Mussolini claimed that he had the same purpose for invading and conquering Ethiopia as Adolf Hitler conquered his countries. “Fascist leader of Italy, had adopted Adolf Hitler's plans to expand German territories by acquiring all territories it considered German”(Website 1). Hitler had plans to expand Germany by conquering all territories around Germany. Mussolini claimed he had no other motivations other than expansion when he conquered Ethiopia, but he had not expressed his other motivations. “Mussolini claimed that his policies of expansion were not different from that of other colonial powers in Africa”(Website 1). However, Mussolini had many different motivations. He wanted to boost Italy’s nationalism since they were defeated by Ethiopia in 1896. Also, two hundred Germans lost their lives while in a dispute against the Ethiopians in 1934. “Mussolini saw it as an opportunity to provide land for unemployed Italians and also acquire more mineral resources to fight off the effects of the Great Depression” (Website 1). In this website, Mussolini seemed selfish when conquering Ethiopia. He did it to become like Hitler, but as he followed through with Ethiopia he realized the actual benefits behind conquering their land.
In the rise of the dictators, many dictators wanted to expand their territory in order to become the most powerful country. The information in the first website shows that Mussolini had the same aspirations as Adolf Hitler and Hideki Tojo to expand their territory and power. Benito Mussolini claimed that he had the same purpose for invading and conquering Ethiopia as Adolf Hitler conquered his countries. “Fascist leader of Italy, had adopted Adolf Hitler's plans to expand German territories by acquiring all territories it considered German”(Website 1). Hitler had plans to expand Germany by conquering all territories around Germany. Mussolini claimed he had no other motivations other than expansion when he conquered Ethiopia, but he had not expressed his other motivations. “Mussolini claimed that his policies of expansion were not different from that of other colonial powers in Africa”(Website 1). However, Mussolini had many different motivations. He wanted to boost Italy’s nationalism since they were defeated by Ethiopia in 1896. Also, two hundred Germans lost their lives while in a dispute against the Ethiopians in 1934. “Mussolini saw it as an opportunity to provide land for unemployed Italians and also acquire more mineral resources to fight off the effects of the Great Depression” (Website 1). In this website, Mussolini seemed selfish when conquering Ethiopia. He did it to become like Hitler, but as he followed through with Ethiopia he realized the actual benefits behind conquering their land.
Website 2
From what many students have learned, Italy conquering Ethiopia did not change the war at all and it was just a conflict between two neighboring countries. According to the second website, the Italo-Ethiopian war was one of the causes of World War 2. “Often seen as one of the episodes that prepared the way for World War II, the war demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations when League decisions were not supported by the great powers”(Website 2). Italy was unable to conquer Ethiopia in the 1890s. In 1934, there was a border dispute between Ethiopia and Italy which gave Mussolini a reason to attack. They invaded Ethiopia October 3, 1935. Ethiopia did all that they could to attack, unfortunately they were not as strong as Italy. The website states that “Under Generals Rodolfo Graziani and Pietro Badoglio, the invading forces steadily pushed back the ill-armed and poorly trained Ethiopian army, winning a major victory near Lake Ascianghi (Ashangi) on April 9, 1936, and taking the capital, Addis Ababa, on May 5” (Website 2). The League of Nations disapproved of Italy’s attack on Ethiopia, so they set economic sanctions on Italy. Unfortunately, these sanctions were ineffective because no one supported it. Italy was not a threat to the other countries. Mussolini thought he was just as powerful, but he wasn't. “Although Mussolini’s aggression was viewed with disfavor by the British, who had a stake in East Africa, the other major powers had no real interest in opposing him”(Website 2). The other powers knew that Mussolini was no risk to them and had no history of being a strong enough country to conquer like Hitler. Mussolini saw Ethiopia as an easy opportunity to gain territory.
From what many students have learned, Italy conquering Ethiopia did not change the war at all and it was just a conflict between two neighboring countries. According to the second website, the Italo-Ethiopian war was one of the causes of World War 2. “Often seen as one of the episodes that prepared the way for World War II, the war demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations when League decisions were not supported by the great powers”(Website 2). Italy was unable to conquer Ethiopia in the 1890s. In 1934, there was a border dispute between Ethiopia and Italy which gave Mussolini a reason to attack. They invaded Ethiopia October 3, 1935. Ethiopia did all that they could to attack, unfortunately they were not as strong as Italy. The website states that “Under Generals Rodolfo Graziani and Pietro Badoglio, the invading forces steadily pushed back the ill-armed and poorly trained Ethiopian army, winning a major victory near Lake Ascianghi (Ashangi) on April 9, 1936, and taking the capital, Addis Ababa, on May 5” (Website 2). The League of Nations disapproved of Italy’s attack on Ethiopia, so they set economic sanctions on Italy. Unfortunately, these sanctions were ineffective because no one supported it. Italy was not a threat to the other countries. Mussolini thought he was just as powerful, but he wasn't. “Although Mussolini’s aggression was viewed with disfavor by the British, who had a stake in East Africa, the other major powers had no real interest in opposing him”(Website 2). The other powers knew that Mussolini was no risk to them and had no history of being a strong enough country to conquer like Hitler. Mussolini saw Ethiopia as an easy opportunity to gain territory.
Website 3
At the beginning of World War 2, Hitler was a dictator who was looked up to by many dictators. Many dictators envied his power. Mussolini was eager to be a great conquer just like Hitler, but he did not have the same strength. According to the third website, “The Italians had been a late-comer to African colonization, and by the 1930s Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was eager to seize any opportunity to gain a foothold on the continent and demonstrate Italy’s rising power”(Website 3). Italy faced Ethiopia before when Italy tried to invade, but they were defeated in 1895. In 1934, Mussolini was determined to expand his territory towards Africa, which resulted in 150 deaths of Ethiopians. “Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie appealed emphatically and repeatedly to the League to enforce the regulations, particularly Article X regarding aid to member states to defend against external aggression”(Website 3). The response by the League of Nations was weak. They set up sanctions on Italy in November, 1935, only to revoke the sanctions the following July. This showed that the League of Nations did not show any of their control or power during the war. “When Italy formally surrendered to the Allied powers in 1947, they were compelled to sign a treaty of peace which included a formal recognition of Ethiopia’s independence and a promise to pay reparations of $25 million” (Website 3). Italy’s tried to be more than they could be. Italy was not big and strong enough to be able to conquer. Mussolini only conquered Ethiopia in order to show the other countries that he is powerful too.
At the beginning of World War 2, Hitler was a dictator who was looked up to by many dictators. Many dictators envied his power. Mussolini was eager to be a great conquer just like Hitler, but he did not have the same strength. According to the third website, “The Italians had been a late-comer to African colonization, and by the 1930s Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was eager to seize any opportunity to gain a foothold on the continent and demonstrate Italy’s rising power”(Website 3). Italy faced Ethiopia before when Italy tried to invade, but they were defeated in 1895. In 1934, Mussolini was determined to expand his territory towards Africa, which resulted in 150 deaths of Ethiopians. “Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie appealed emphatically and repeatedly to the League to enforce the regulations, particularly Article X regarding aid to member states to defend against external aggression”(Website 3). The response by the League of Nations was weak. They set up sanctions on Italy in November, 1935, only to revoke the sanctions the following July. This showed that the League of Nations did not show any of their control or power during the war. “When Italy formally surrendered to the Allied powers in 1947, they were compelled to sign a treaty of peace which included a formal recognition of Ethiopia’s independence and a promise to pay reparations of $25 million” (Website 3). Italy’s tried to be more than they could be. Italy was not big and strong enough to be able to conquer. Mussolini only conquered Ethiopia in order to show the other countries that he is powerful too.