When the world took Ethiopia's side
Mussolini's attack on Ethiopia in 1935 caused more than half a million deaths by the end of the Italian occupation in 1941. Why were the sanctions imposed on Italy only half-heartedly enforced? - 2026/08 / article
When the world took Ethiopia's side, it was in response to the brutal Italian invasion that began in 1935. Mussolini's ruthless conquest of the African nation claimed the lives of half a million to 750,000 people by the time the occupation ended in 1941. The League of Nations, to which Ethiopia belonged, imposed sanctions on Italy, but compliance was less than earnest.
This was partly due to the political climate of 1930s Europe, where the UK and France were wary of Nazi Germany and sought to avoid any alliance between Rome and Berlin. Italy's colonial ambitions were fueled by a desire for revenge after its defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, and the country saw the conquest of Ethiopia as a way to assert itself among other European powers.
The use of chemical weapons, such as mustard gas, further exacerbated tensions and highlighted the brutal tactics employed by Italian forces. Despite the League's efforts, the international community struggled to enforce its own rules during this tumultuous period in history.
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