HISTORY 20/30

UNIT 3:NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY

Aggression in Europe

League of Nations

The League was developed with 2 goals keep peace ensure more international cooperation (make the

world a better place) When countries joined, they agreed to:

not go to war to gain land Help any other country that was attacked

These ideas seemed reasonable – but what needed to happen to it to work? Lots of countries had to join (if not, trading sanctions

wouldn’t matter)

League of Nations

Initial successes Settled dispute between Finland and Sweden Stopped war between Greece and Bulgaria

So…what went wrong Many major countries did not join (like the USA!!!)

Germany – not allowed to join until 1926- left in 1934 Russia – did not join until 1934

1931 – Japan invaded Manchuria League ordered Japan to leave Manchuria - they didn’t Japan left the League No sanctions imposed

Lesson learned by other countries – League had no real power So they were ignored in future

Mussolini and Italy

Italy joined the Allies in WWI in 1915 They were disappointed/bitter at the Treaty of Versailles (not

enough land given to them)Post-war period

Economic issues like unemployment and inflationItalians were left looking for a solution

Like elsewhere – some turned to communism/socialism Others – fascism

Mussolini started the Fascist party Supported by the army and the rich

Mussolini was elected as member of parliament in 1921 Claimed he would be the strong leader needed to make Italy

great again

Mussolini was elected as member of parliament in 1921 Claimed he would be the strong leader needed to

make Italy great again

Mussolini – led Fascist march on Rome Overthrew government Four years later

Other parties banned Mussolini – had total power (Dictator)

Italy attacks Abyssinia

Mussolini was jealous of British Empire Wanted to develop Italy’s empire – but little land left Turned to Abyssinia (Ethiopia)

Attacked and overtook Abyssinia

League of Nations imposed economic sanctions on Italy But other countries went on trading with Italy Did not ban the trading of oil Britain and France would never side with Italy again

Civil War in Spain (mini Euro war)

1936 – Civil War broke out in Spain Republican government took land away from church and rich

landowners Violent opposition

General Franco – led rebellion against the government Has support of the army, the church and the Spanish Fascist party Opposed by the communists and the socialists

League of Nations refused to get involved Britain and France – not involved Italy and Germany jumped in to support Franco (the Nationalists)

Hitler used it as opportunity to test aeroplanes and pilots Mussolini sent guns and aeroplanes Russia jumped in to support the government – but not nearly enough

support This war – fascist vs communist Franco (Fascist) was victorious (and remained in power

until his death in 1975)

Japan

Japan: The only independent Asian power with colonial empire Asia’s greatest industrial and trading power (lots of manufacturing)

Economy hit hard Earthquake killing over 100,000 Great depression

Decline of international trade Rise of tariff barriers

As a result Invaded Manchuria (northern province of China) for coal and iron ore

deposits and soya beans The effects?

Showed powerlessness of League of Nations Raised prestige of Japanese army – dominated by nationalist

extremists Increased desire of army to make imperialistic expansions Japan needed even more markets to sell goods (maintain flow of cash)

Britain and France

Policy of appeasement – avoid war at all costs Appease Hitler (give him whatever he wanted so he

wouldn’t start another massive war) The hope – Hitler would eventually be satisfied and

war would be avoided

Policy of appeasement – very popular in Britian and France Only right to give Germany back what they lost in

Treaty of Versailles

United States

Came out of WWI with increased economic strength Expanded heavy industry – to meet allied war effort

After Treaty of Versailles – retreated into an isolationist stance Wanted to focus on internal advancement Dawes Plan of 1924 – loans to Germany to re-establish

German mark Mainly avoid political entanglements

In 1935, Roosevelt passed the Neutrality Act – to prevent USA from being dragged back into international conflict