Setting the Stage for WarAggressive Nations Begin Their Assault

Changes in Japan1920’s Japan

Treaty signed with China

Signed Kellogg-Briand Pact

Parliamentary problems P.M. and cabinet were

weak Civilian leaders did

not control military, the emperor did

Militarists take controlGreat Depression put

blame on governmentMilitarists gain supportReturn government to

military controlEmperor Hirohito

retained as symbol of nationalism

Wanted to expand empire to solve problems

Japanese InvasionsManchuria

NE ChinaRich in iron and coal1931 seized by Japan

Mines and factories were immediately started

Challenge to the LeagueJapan ignores LeagueGermany, Italy, and

Japan are all in the League

Japan drops out

ChinaBorder incident sparks

warJiang Jieshi could not

defeat the Japanese Better equipped and

trained (westernization)Conquer Beijing and

NanjingChinese set up new

capital in west and continue to fight under Mao Zedong

The Invasion

Review QuestionsWhat problems did the Great Depression

cause for the government of Japan?Why were the Japanese interested in

capturing Manchuria?Why were the Japanese able to defeat a

larger Chinese force?

Italy MovesEthiopia

Resisted Italians in 1890s

Mussolini wants revenge

October 1935 defeats the Ethiopians Italians had modern

weapons, Ethiopians did not

League condemns Italy but does nothing Hope to keep peace by

giving in

Hitler Ignores Versailles TreatyRefuses to limit his

armyLeague could not stop

himActually makes

Hitler more confidentRhineland

Buffer between Germany and France

Hitler invades despite warnings

AppeasementGiving in to the

opponent to keep peaceHitler would’ve given in

if Britain would have stood up to him

Strengthens Hitler’s prestige and power

Opens up Belgium and France to Germany

Axis Powers FormedItaly and Japan decide to

join up with Germany

Taking the Rhineland

Review Question #2Why was Mussolini so intent on taking over

Ethiopia?Why was control of the Rhineland so

important to Hitler?Describe how the British and French policy of

appeasement contributed to Hitler’s aggressiveness.

The Spanish Civil WarFrancisco Franco

Fascist leader starts civil war in Spain

Hitler and Mussolini come to his aid

Western democracies stay out of it Russia helps a little

Franco wins and becomes dictator

The Final StepsU.S. was still Isolationist

Passes Neutrality ActsThe Third Reich

March 1938 Germany annexes Austria France and Britain ignore

pledge to protect AustriaSudetenland

Area of Czech made up of German speakers

Hitler demands rule of the area

Czech’s ask for help

Appeasement Round 2Munich Conference

Germany, France, Britain, Italy

Neville Chamberlain British P.M. chooses

appeasement Gives Germany

Sudetenland if Germany would respect Czech border

Winston Churchill Warns that appeasement

would lead to war

Six Months LaterMarch, 1938

Hitler takes Czechoslovakia

Mussolini takes AlbaniaHitler demands Danzig

port from Poland Doesn’t think Britain and

France will risk warHitler and Stalin sign

nonaggression pact August 23rd, 1939

No one is left to stop the Axis Powers

Review Questions #3Why did Mussolini and Hitler want to help

Francisco Franco?What steps were taken by Hitler and

Mussolini to test the will of the British and French?

Explain how the nonaggression pact between the Soviets and Germans proved to be the key to Hitler moving towards war.