Aggressors Invade Nations

Paths to WarCh 19 Sec 1ReviewMid-1930sGermany and Italy focused on military conquestMajor democracies distracted by DepressionCountries look to League of Nations to maintain peaceJapan moves towards military ruleEuropean Aggressors on the March European Fascists encouraged by League of Nations failure in JapanMussolini invades EthiopiaHitler violates Treaty of VersaillesCivil War Erupts in SpainMussolini Attacks EthiopiaMussolini invades Ethiopia in Oct 1935Spears and swords no match for planes, tanks, guns, and gasEthiopian emperor appeals to LeagueCondemns action but does nothing to helpBritish let Italians use Suez CanalBritish and French hoped to keep peace in Europe

Hitler Defies Versailles TreatyProvisions of TreatyLimited size of German armyCreated RhinelandBuffer between Germany and FranceHitler ignored provisionsMoved troops into Rhineland (March 7, 1936)

Britain respondsAppeasement?Giving in to an aggressor to keep peaceLet Hitler build army and invade RhinelandWould keep France and Britain out of war with GermanyHitler admitted he would have backed down if they challenged himRhineland occupation was turning pointStrengthened Hitlers power and prestigeShifted balance of power in Germanys favorFrance and Belgium open to attackHitler encouraged by weak responseSped up expansion ideasAxis PowersMussolini seeks alliance with HitlerOct 1936 Rome-Berlin AxisNovember 1936 Germany makes agreement with Japan Comintern Pact Germany, Italy and Japan become Axis Powers

Civil War in Spain1936 Francisco Franco leads revolt in SpainFavored FascismBegins three year civil warHitler and Mussolini send aid to Franco and NationalistsTroops, tanks, airplanesWestern democracies remained neutral1939 Franco becomes Fascist dictator of SpainDemocratic Nations Try to Preserve PeaceUS Follows Isolationist PolicyBelief that political ties to other countries should be avoidedEntry into WWI was a mistake1935 Neutrality ActsBanned loans and the sale of arms to nations at warThe German Reich ExpandsNov 5 1937 Hitler announces plan for Third ReichWanted to absorb control of Austria and CzechoslovakiaViolated Treaty of VersaillesForbade union of Austria and Germany

March 1938 Hitler invades and annexes AustriaSeptember 1938 demands Sudetenland be given to GermanyWestern border regions of CzechoslovakiaCzechs refuse and ask French for help

Munich ConferenceSeptember 29, 1938 - Germany, France, GB, ItalyBritish PM Neville Chamberlain believes he can maintain peace by giving inBritain and France agree Hitler can take SudetenlandHitler agreed to respect Czech borders6 months later Hitler invades Czechoslovakia

Nazis and SovietsUSSR approached to help Britain and France stop HitlerHitler bargained with StalinPublicly pledged never to attack one anotherOffered eastern Poland and the Baltic statesNazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact signed August 23, 1939

Japan Seeks an Empire1920s Japanese govt more democratic1922 signs treaty with China to respect borders1928 signs Kellogg-Briand PactWar no longer used to solve problemsWeaknesses of DemocracyLimits on power of prime minister and cabinetCivilian leaders had little control over militaryMilitary leaders reported only to emperor

Militarists Take Control of JapanJapanese blame govt for Great DepressionMilitary leaders wanted traditional control given to militaryMade emperor symbol of state powerKeeping Hirohito won popular support for army leaders

Extreme NationalistsEconomic problems solved through expansion into Pacific

Japan Invades ManchuriaNortheast province of ChinaRich in iron and coal1931 seized by Japanese armySet up puppet governmentBuilt mines and factoriesLeague of Nations protestedJapan left league in 1933

Japan Invades China1937 Border dispute sets off war w/ChinaChinese military no match for JapaneseChinese military largerJapanese better equipped and better trainedChinese focused on Communist threat from within

The New Asian OrderJapan would establish new system of control in AsiaJapan, Manchuria, ChinaJapan guiding Asian neighbors to prosperityPlan to conquer Siberia1930s - Japan begins to cooperate w/NazisBelieved the two countries would launch attack on USSRNonaggression Pact changed that ideaJapan looks to Southeast Asia for empire

Japan Launches AttackAttack to South would anger colonial empiresMainly US1940 Japan demands right to exploit economic resources in French IndochinaUS objectsWould apply economic sanctions unless Japan withdrew