Failures of the Abyssinian war

Boosted Mussolini already inflated ego?

Over confident in terms of his own military and political judgement

More dangerous by the widespread cult of the infalliable Duche

Drain on economic and military resources?

Budget deficit rose from 2.5 to 16 billion

Forced the gov to borrow and diverted industrial production into armament production

Settlement of 130,000 Italians in Abyssinia was costly

October 1936 - Lira devalued by 40%

Italian rule?

It was corrupt and repressive

1941?

Had to fight a guerilla war until Abyssinia was lost to the British in 1941

Showed weaknesses of the League of Nations?

Encouraged Hitler’s ambitions

Allowed Hitler to remilitarise without foreign intervention - increase German influence

How many Italians did Italy commit?

400,000 and lost 1500