77 years ago the evil complexities of war were on full display when Mussollini and his Fascist government invaded the still slave trading nation of Ethiopia under Emperor Halle Selassie. Italy's aim was to form a colonial empire in Africa which included Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea. The Emperor sought help from the League of Nations whose members voted mainly to support Mussollini, only 5 nations voted for Ethiopia, Britian supported the Fascist government.
Japan recognized Italy's soverign rule and Italy in kind recognized Japan's rule of China in the Manchuria region. By 1938 only Russia recognized Selassie as Ethiopia's ruler with even the USA wavering towards Italy. In the USA famous heavyweight fighter Joe Lewis beat Italian Primo Carnera and rioting broke out with African Americans looting Italian busnesses in NYC, but equally famous entertainer Josephine Baker supported Italy because she opposed the Slave Trade by the Emperor. And many countries supported Mussollini because he sought to break the 'maglignant tumor' of the Papacy.
As a broader war looms in Syria history offers many lessons.