Aggressors on the Aggressors on the MarchMarch

KEY IDEA: KEY IDEA: As Germany, Italy, As Germany, Italy, and Japan conquered other and Japan conquered other countries, the rest of the countries, the rest of the world did nothingworld did nothing..

The World Drifts Toward WarThe World Drifts Toward War

In the 1930s, the major democracies—In the 1930s, the major democracies—Britain, France, and the United States—Britain, France, and the United States—still faced serious problems at home. still faced serious problems at home.

Dictators in Germany and Italy took Dictators in Germany and Italy took advantage of this and began moving to advantage of this and began moving to gain territory. gain territory.

So, too, did Japan, now ruled by So, too, did Japan, now ruled by generals.generals.

Militarists Take Control of JapanMilitarists Take Control of Japan

The military leaders in Japan had taken The military leaders in Japan had taken power when the Depression struck. They power when the Depression struck. They planned to capture China as a part of a planned to capture China as a part of a Pacific empire.Pacific empire.

In 1931, the Japanese army captured In 1931, the Japanese army captured Manchuria, a part of China. It was rich in coal Manchuria, a part of China. It was rich in coal and iron and as a result provided valuable and iron and as a result provided valuable resources for the Japanese economy.resources for the Japanese economy.

Other countries protested in the League of Other countries protested in the League of Nations but did nothing else. Nations but did nothing else.

Japan Seeks an EmpireJapan Seeks an Empire

The Japanese militarists were The Japanese militarists were extreme nationalists who wanted to extreme nationalists who wanted to solve the countries economic solve the countries economic problems by foreign expansion.problems by foreign expansion.

The empire would provide Japan with The empire would provide Japan with raw materials and markets for goods raw materials and markets for goods as well as more living space for as well as more living space for Japan’s growing population.Japan’s growing population.

Japan Invades ChinaJapan Invades China

Japan ignored the protests and in 1933 pulled out Japan ignored the protests and in 1933 pulled out of the League of Nations, but it stayed in of the League of Nations, but it stayed in Manchuria. Manchuria.

Four years later, Japan invaded China. The strong Four years later, Japan invaded China. The strong Japanese army swept Chinese fighters aside. Japanese army swept Chinese fighters aside.

It killed tens of thousands of Chinese in the city of It killed tens of thousands of Chinese in the city of Nanjing. Nanjing.

Chinese forces—both the Nationalists of the Chinese forces—both the Nationalists of the government and Communist rebels—continued to government and Communist rebels—continued to fight Japan.fight Japan.

Emperor Hirohito of JapanEmperor Hirohito of Japan HIROHITO, (1901-HIROHITO, (1901-

1989), 124th Emperor 1989), 124th Emperor of Japan, who of Japan, who succeeded to the succeeded to the throne in 1926 after throne in 1926 after a period of five years a period of five years as regent. The Showa as regent. The Showa era, as his reign is era, as his reign is called, witnessed called, witnessed dramatic dramatic transformations in transformations in Japanese life, Japanese life, including the status including the status of the Emperor of the Emperor himself. himself.

Mussolini Attacks EthiopiaMussolini Attacks Ethiopia

Japan’s defiance of the League of Nations Japan’s defiance of the League of Nations encouraged Mussolini to begin expanding encouraged Mussolini to begin expanding into Africa, and in 1935 he invaded Ethiopia.into Africa, and in 1935 he invaded Ethiopia.

His troops won easy victory. His troops won easy victory.

Haile Selassie, the emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, the emperor of Ethiopia, pleaded to the League of Nations for help.pleaded to the League of Nations for help.

Once again, the League did nothing.Once again, the League did nothing.

Appeasement in AfricaAppeasement in Africa

Although the League of nations Although the League of nations condemned Italy for it aggression condemned Italy for it aggression against Ethiopia, Great Britain against Ethiopia, Great Britain continued to allow Italy to move continued to allow Italy to move troops and supplies through the Suez troops and supplies through the Suez canal. canal.

By giving into Mussolini in Africa, By giving into Mussolini in Africa, Great Britain and France hoped to Great Britain and France hoped to keep peace in Europe.keep peace in Europe.

Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini

Mussolini founded a Mussolini founded a political newspaper and political newspaper and served in World War I served in World War I and founded the Fascist and founded the Fascist party.party.

He founded the Fascist He founded the Fascist party and personally party and personally took over the ministries took over the ministries of the of the interior, of of the of the interior, of foreign affairs, of the foreign affairs, of the colonies, of the colonies, of the corporations, of the corporations, of the army and other armed army and other armed services, and of public services, and of public works. works.

Hitler Defies the Treaty of Hitler Defies the Treaty of VersaillesVersailles

In 1935, Adolph Hitler In 1935, Adolph Hitler announced that Germany would announced that Germany would no longer obey the restrictions no longer obey the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles. He of the Treaty of Versailles. He began to rebuild the German began to rebuild the German army.army.

Because the League of Nations Because the League of Nations did nothing to stop him, he did nothing to stop him, he began to take greater risks.began to take greater risks.

Hitler Defies Versailles TreatyHitler Defies Versailles Treaty

In 1936, Hitler sent troops into In 1936, Hitler sent troops into an area of Germany that the an area of Germany that the treaty had forbidden them to treaty had forbidden them to enter. enter.

France and Britain again refused France and Britain again refused to stand up to Germany. This to stand up to Germany. This move won Hitler more support in move won Hitler more support in GermanyGermany..

The German Third Reich The German Third Reich ExpandsExpands

In 1937, Hitler announced his plans of In 1937, Hitler announced his plans of to absorb Austria and Czechoslovakia to absorb Austria and Czechoslovakia into the German Empire (Third Reich). into the German Empire (Third Reich).

Hitler believed that any where that Hitler believed that any where that Germans lived was in fact a part of Germans lived was in fact a part of Germany.Germany.

AppeasementAppeasement

In March 1938, Hitler moved his troops In March 1938, Hitler moved his troops into Austria. He made it part of Germany, into Austria. He made it part of Germany, breaking the Versailles Treaty again. breaking the Versailles Treaty again.

France and Britain once more did France and Britain once more did nothing. nothing.

The next year, Hitler demanded that The next year, Hitler demanded that Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) give up Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) give up part of its land to Germany. part of its land to Germany.

Britain and France Choose Britain and France Choose AppeasementAppeasement

After Germany invaded the Sudetenland in After Germany invaded the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, the Munich Conference was held Czechoslovakia, the Munich Conference was held to deal with Germany’s aggression.to deal with Germany’s aggression.

At the Munich Conference, France and Great At the Munich Conference, France and Great Britain agreed to allow Hitler to keep the Britain agreed to allow Hitler to keep the Sudetenland as long as Hitler promised to Sudetenland as long as Hitler promised to respect the new borders of Czechoslovakiarespect the new borders of Czechoslovakia

This agreement was made without This agreement was made without Czechoslovakia’s knowledge or approval.Czechoslovakia’s knowledge or approval.

Hitler promised to respect the new Hitler promised to respect the new borders of Czechoslovakia, but a few borders of Czechoslovakia, but a few months later he took the entire months later he took the entire country.country.

In the summer of 1939, Hitler made a In the summer of 1939, Hitler made a similar demand of Poland. That nation similar demand of Poland. That nation also refused to give up land. also refused to give up land.

Britain and France now said that they Britain and France now said that they would protect Polandwould protect Poland..

Appeasement FailsAppeasement Fails

Less than 6 months Less than 6 months later, Germany took later, Germany took all of Czechoslovakiaall of Czechoslovakia

Adolph HitlerAdolph Hitler

Adolf served in the Adolf served in the German Army during German Army during World War I, and then World War I, and then became an undercover became an undercover agent and took charge of agent and took charge of the German Worker's the German Worker's Party propaganda in 1920. Party propaganda in 1920. In addition to founding In addition to founding the Nazi (National the Nazi (National Socialist German Worker's Socialist German Worker's Party), he also wrote an Party), he also wrote an autobiography titled autobiography titled Mein Mein KampfKampf, or , or My StruggleMy Struggle..

The Axis is FormedThe Axis is Formed

Hitler’s growing strength Hitler’s growing strength convinced Mussolini that convinced Mussolini that he should seek an alliance he should seek an alliance with Germanywith Germany In October In October of 1936, Hitler signed an of 1936, Hitler signed an agreement with Mussolini agreement with Mussolini and also with Japan. The and also with Japan. The three nations were called three nations were called the Axis Powers.the Axis Powers.

Civil War Erupts in SpainCivil War Erupts in Spain

In 1936, Spain erupted in civil war as the In 1936, Spain erupted in civil war as the army revolted against a leftist army revolted against a leftist government. government.

Hitler and Mussolini sent aid to the army, Hitler and Mussolini sent aid to the army, which was backed by Spanish Fascists. which was backed by Spanish Fascists.

The Soviet Union sent aid to the The Soviet Union sent aid to the government. In 1939, the army won and government. In 1939, the army won and Francisco Franco became Spain’s Fascist Francisco Franco became Spain’s Fascist dictator.dictator.

General Francisco FrancoGeneral Francisco Franco After the nationalist victory in After the nationalist victory in

the Spanish Civil War, General the Spanish Civil War, General Francisco Franco declared Francisco Franco declared himself military chief. himself military chief.

He ruled Spain until his death in He ruled Spain until his death in 1975.1975.

His rule was quite harsh. He His rule was quite harsh. He executed more than 200,000 executed more than 200,000 Spaniards between 1939 and Spaniards between 1939 and 1943.1943.

Although he sympathized with Although he sympathized with the Axis Powers, he did not the Axis Powers, he did not enter WWIIenter WWII

Non-aggression Pact with Non-aggression Pact with RussiaRussia

While Germany was making its moves While Germany was making its moves in Europe, Hitler made an agreement in Europe, Hitler made an agreement with Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in with Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in which the two countries promised which the two countries promised never to attack each other.never to attack each other.

With the treaty signed with Russia, With the treaty signed with Russia, Germany was free to move unchecked Germany was free to move unchecked throughout Europethroughout Europe

Western Democracies Fail Western Democracies Fail to Halt Aggressionto Halt Aggression

The people in the United States were The people in the United States were determined not to get involved in Europe’s determined not to get involved in Europe’s new problems. new problems.

Beginning in 1935, to insure the U.S. Beginning in 1935, to insure the U.S. remained Neutral, Congress passed a remained Neutral, Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts that banned the series of Neutrality Acts that banned the sale of arms to the warring nations.sale of arms to the warring nations.

Over the years, these laws were slowly Over the years, these laws were slowly changed to allow arms sales to Great changed to allow arms sales to Great Britain.Britain.