State of the World at the Beginning of World

War IIAnd the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact!

Treaty of Versailles Violations

When Hitler came to power he violated many parts of the Treaty of Versailles by building up an army and manufacturing weapons.

He also began to build the Third Reich by taking over the Rhineland, aligning Germany with Austria and invading Czechoslovakia.

Mussolini’s Invasion of Ethiopia

Mussolini had wanted to build an African Empire for Italy (to compete with the British and French colonies).

Ethiopia was one of the only remaining independent countries in Africa which Italy had attempted to take over in the 1890s.

Mussolini tried, and succeeded at taking over Ethiopia in 1936.

Japan’s Invasion of Manchuria

Japan invaded Manchuria (the northern region of China) to gain natural resources.

Shortly after their invasion an incident along the border started a war between Japan and China.

Japan brutally invaded and occupied China.

Inaction by the League of Nations

In response to the rise in the aggression and violations of the Kellogg-Briand Pact the League of Nations kicked out Japan.

Japan’s response was the leave the League of Nations.

The leader of Ethiopia appealed to the League of Nations to help his country from the Italian occupation. The League of Nations condemned the attack but did nothing to stop it.

When Hitler saw how the League of Nations reacted it made him bolder.

Policy of Appeasement

When Germany re-occupied the Rhineland France felt threatened.

Britain/Neville Chamberlain urged a policy of appeasement.

This led to Germany becoming more powerful and Italy and Japan seeking alliances with Germany.

America’s Policy of Isolationism

As this was happening in Europe America took on a policy of isolationism – avoiding political ties with other countries.

America felt it had been a mistake to get involved in World War I and passed a series of Neutrality Acts.

German – Soviet Relations

Hitler was feeling very confident in Germany and his new alliance with Japan and Italy known as the Axis Powers.

He was interested in expanding his empire to the east, but was concerned about angering the Soviet Union and possibly having to fight a war on two fronts (similar to what had happened in World War I).

German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact

Hitler and Stalin sent representatives to meet to discuss a Nonaggression Pact – an agreement not to fight each other.

The pact was not the same as an alliance. Neither country got along with each other, but they had some common interests.

Terms of the Pact (1)

Actual Pact:Reciprocal

engagement on the part of both States not to attack one another and to live on peaceful and neighborly terms.

Interpretation:Both countries agree

not to attack each other. They’re not going to form an alliance or be friends, but they won’t fight each other either.

Terms of the Pact (2)

Actual Pact:Delimitation of spheres of

interest-the German Reich renouncing all influence in Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Bessarabia while territories of the former Polish State as far as the line formed by the Narew, Bug and San (rivers) were to be incorporated into Russia according to the desire of the Soviets.

Interpretation:Germany and the Soviet

Union are making it clear what territories each country will get to take over/have influence over.

Germany – part of PolandUSSR – the other part of

Poland, and Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania.

Caption Reads: “Wonder how long the honeymoon will last?”

What is being implied about the friendship between Germany and the Soviet Union?