Italy's Withdrawal from League of Nations in 1937

Italy left the League of Nations in 1937 primarily due to the consequences of its invasion of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) and the resulting strained relations with other League members. Several factors contributed to this decision, reflecting a combination of internal and external pressures faced by Italy at the time.

One key factor was Emperor Haile Selassie's appeal to the League of Nations for support in response to Italy's aggression against Abyssinia in 1935. Despite this plea, Italy faced a lack of meaningful support from other League members, particularly Britain and France. This lack of support was significant as these countries were major powers within the League and their neutrality or unwillingness to take decisive action against Italy signaled a weakening of the League's authority.

Furthermore, the imposition of economic sanctions by the League against Italy as a response to the invasion of Abyssinia added to the growing tension between Italy and the League. These sanctions were intended to pressure Italy to withdraw its forces from Abyssinia, but they ultimately failed to deter Italian aggression and only served to strain relations further.

The situation was exacerbated by Italy's growing alignment with Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler. As Italy felt increasingly isolated within the League and frustrated by the lack of support, Mussolini turned towards Hitler for mutual support and cooperation. This shift in alliances culminated in the formation of the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936, further alienating Italy from the League of Nations.

Additionally, Mussolini and Hitler shared a common disdain for the League of Nations, viewing it as a tool of the Allied powers from World War I and as ineffective in maintaining peace and security. Hitler had already withdrawn Germany from the League in 1933, and Italy's departure further highlighted the perceived ineffectiveness and weakness of the League as an international organization.

In conclusion, Italy's decision to leave the League of Nations in 1937 was a culmination of various factors, with the invasion of Abyssinia serving as a catalyst for strained relations and internal and external pressures that ultimately led to Italy's departure. The lack of support from major League members, economic sanctions, the influence of Nazi Germany, and a growing belief in the League's inefficacy all played a role in Italy's decision to distance itself from the League and align more closely with its Axis partners.