Italian ambitions in (1) Between the First and Second World Wars, international conflict focused on the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which imposed terms on the defeated nations, primarily Germany. It stripped Germany of its colonies and territories, demilitarized the Rhineland, but this fragile stability born from the Treaty of Versailles was shaken by the Great Depression that began in 1929, affecting the American and European economies and the entire world. One of its consequences was the rise of the Nazis, led by Hitler, to power in Germany in early 1933. This ended the tendency of some states to secede, made Germany a unified nation, and introduced deep changes to its budget and economy. He became a pivotal figure, consolidating all powers in his hands, and set out to liberate his country from the Treaty of Versailles, restoring the strength of his army and making Germany the greatest European power based on its vast resources and natural potential.

The mechanism adopted by the victorious powers in the war to maintain international peace and security faced its first test in the early thirties in what became known as the Manchurian Question. The League of Nations failed in this challenge and did not prevent Japan's occupation of the Chinese province of Manchuria. European countries took a passive stance on this crisis, especially Britain, which did not want to sacrifice its extensive commercial interests with Japan in East Asia. This created the impression that London viewed the League of Nations as a tool for conciliation rather than a security system.

The Manchurian Question was considered the first betrayal of the League's covenant, as Japan was not condemned as an aggressor but only for resorting to the use of force, which led to its withdrawal from the League.

In Rome, in 1922, the Fascists, led by Mussolini, rose to power, taking Italian colonial dreams and aspirations to their peak. The Fascists gave momentum to the slogan of restoring the glory of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately for the Ethiopians, their country was the ideal stage for attempting to implement and translate these dreams.

Italy was still licking its wounds and the shame of its historical defeat at Adwa. Therefore, when the Allies were preoccupied with dividing the spoils of war after World War I, the Italians focused their attention on the Horn of Africa. Despite their presence in Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, the poverty of these two regions led them to view Ethiopia as a ripe fruit with its abundant resources of vast fertile lands, plentiful water, a mild climate, and its geographical location.