“The failure of the League of Nations to deal with Italian aggression had more significant consequences for Abyssinia [Ethiopia] than it did for the League.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the League of Nations’ failure to deal with Italian aggression had a greater impact on Ethiopia (Abyssinia) than it had on the League of Nations itself. When discussing the impact on Ethiopia, candidates may address the half a million Ethiopian fatalities, many of whom were killed by aerial bombardment and gas attacks. Ethiopia lost its independence and was assimilated—along with Eritrea and Italian Somaliland—into the new colony of Italian East Africa. It suffered five years of military occupation and the segregationist policies implemented by Italy. As well as consequences for Ethiopia, candidates must also address consequences for the League of Nations. They may examine the ineffectiveness of its response, a factor that undermined its authority and encouraged aggression elsewhere.