World War II Erupts23.1 Totalitarian Governments and Military Force

Japan and Manchuria The primary problem of Japan in the

1930’s was the limited size of its territory

The islands of Japan were crowded; many Japanese wanted to expand

During this time period, Japan was under civilian control . . . but the nationalists were gaining power

In 1931, Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria w/o gov approval

The takeover of Manchuria demonstrated the weakness of the Japanese government and the strength of Japan’s nationalists, who would continue to expand their military power

The League of Nations Responds

The League of Nations strongly criticized Japan for the invasion of Manchuria

Japan’s response??

They simply withdrew from the League of Nations . . . which was either unable or unwilling to

take any strong action against Japan.

The powerlessness of the LON had been exposed.

Making Inferences

What do you think this cartoon illustrates?

Italy Invades Ethiopia In 1935, Mussolini invades the

East African nation of Ethiopia

Italy had tried to establish a colony there previously, however it ended in a crushing defeat

Italy had several other colonies in Africa, and used a border dispute as an excuse to launch an invasion

Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie pleads with the League of Nations for help . . . but none is offered

Haile Selassie

The Spanish Civil War In the mid-1930’s, Spain was also

troubled by fierce political conflict

The vast majority of Spaniards held beliefs somewhere in between the two extremist parties› Communists › Fascists/Nationalists (Nazis)

This conflict would eventually lead to civil war

The civil war attracted a great deal of attention, › Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy who sent in

their troops› The United States and Communist Russia

backed the opposing side and provided troops and supplies, however . . .

› The Nationalists could not be put down, and Fascism enveloped Spain as well.

Hitler Takes Action Before long, Hitler no

longer tried to hide his efforts to re-build the German army

Hitler gained the support of Great Britain and France because he claimed he was doing this in an effort to quell the spread of communism

Militarizing the Rhineland

Germany was required to give up its territory near the Rhine River Valley along the French border . . . in 1936, Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops in anyway

The French were greatly alarmed by this, but lacked the tenacity to raise issue; and Hitler grows bolder . . .

The Anschluss Two years after Hitler’s move in the

Rhineland, he decided to enter Austria

Hitler had long dreamed of uniting all ethnic Germans, including the Austrians

In 1938, he tried to force the Austrian government to agree to Anschluss (union with Germany)› This move was popular among

Austrians, but was – once again – a violation of the TOV Germany’s neighbors issued strongly

worded reproaches, but made no move to stop Hitler

Austria

What is an ‘ethnic German’??

Ethnic Germans

Ethnic Germans are assimilated descendents of Germans› i.e., descendents of individuals who were

born of German descent who immigrated to – and reside in – other European countries

The Sudetenland

Hitler sees he has no legitimate opposition; he sets his sights on a German-speaking portion of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland

He encouraged Germans in the Sudetenland to protest Czechoslovakian rule; when this fails, he threatens a military attack

Eager to avoid armed conflict, Great Britain and France meet with Hitler in Munich and negotiate a compromise› Hitler is allowed to annex the Sudetenland, despite Czechoslovakian protest

Reviewing Ideas, Terms, and People (Pg. 745)

1. What was the significant of Manchuria, Ethiopia, and Spain in the 1930’s?

2. How did other nations react to the aggression of the Japanese and the Italians?

3. Why do you think the League of Nations was unwilling to stand up to the aggression?

4. How did Hitler respond to Germany’s obligations under the Treaty of Versailles?

5. How did the reaction of Great Britain and France toward Germany compare to their reaction toward Italy and Japan?

6. How do you think the failure to enforce rules of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles will affect Germany as Hitler’s power continues to grow?