Diamond 9: Why did Mussolini invade Abyssinia in 1935-36?

This outstanding resource has been designed to provide stretch and challenge for students studying reasons why Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935 -35. The key theory underpinning this strategy is that when we rank items, either statements, objects or images, we are required to make explicit the over- arching relationships by which we organise our knowledge and connect our learning. It can also be used as a starter, plenary, revision or as a focus for an assessment activity.

The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a range of factors which explain why Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935 - 36. The document is provided in Microsoft Word so you can edit the resource if you wish to customise it further by changing any of the key factors that I have included. Once students have cut out the cards out they are set three tasks including:

1. Remove any reasons that you don’t think are important. Record and explain why you have removed them.
2. Arrange the remaining diamonds to show any links that you can find between the different reasons. Record and explain your reasons.
3. Make a smaller diamond shape using the four most important reasons to explain why Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935 -36. Record and explain the reasons for your choices.

At each stage students should be feeding back to their group or the class and explaining their choices. The discussion and explanation around the choices that they have made are critical in helping them develop their thinking skills as well as their understanding of the topic.

The aims and objectives for this lesson are:

Theme: Why did the League of Nations fail 1919 - 1939?
Know: Why did Italy invade Abyssinia in 1935 - 36?
Understand: How were these factors were linked to the weaknesses of the League?
Evaluate: Which factors were the most important in Mussolini’s decision to invade?

WILF - What Am I Looking For?
Identify and describe: Why Mussolini invaded Abyssinia?
Explain: How these reasons were linked to the weaknesses of the League?
Analyse: Which factors were the most important in Mussolini’s decision to invade?

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Kind Regards

Roy