29.1: From Appeasement to War

Aggression Goes Unchecked Mussolini, Hitler and Japanese leaders – All took aggressive action – Actions only caused VERBAL protest, pleas for peace – Viewed western democracies as weak Post WWI: 1930’s, Western democracies tried to preserve peace – Ignored many signs of aggression & empire building

Pre-War Moves by Japan & Italy Japan: many wanted an empire to rival Western powers – Seized Manchuria, in China, in 1931 – Condemned by LON, simply withdrew – 1937: Japan overran much of eastern China Italy: 1935, invades Ethiopia – LON votes to impose sanctions on Italy – LON had no power to enforce those sanctions

Hitler Violates the Treaty of Versailles 1 st offense: Builds up German military machine 2 nd offense1936: Sends troops into the Rhineland Results: Made him more popular in Germany – Germans hated the Treaty of Versailles Response by Western Democracies: – Verbal protest, but no real action – Adopted a policy of APPEASEMENT = giving in to demands in order to maintain peace

Appeasement: Attempting to Keep the Peace Why did this policy develop? – 1. France suffered political home, could not defeat Germany w/o British help – 2. British had no desire to confront Hitler – 3. Many saw Hitler’s actions as a defense against the spread of Communism – 4. The Great Depression – 5. Pacifism = opposition to all war, prompted by destruction during WWI

The Neutrality Acts Passed by U.S. Congress: Forbade sale of arms to any nation at war Outlawed loans to warring nations Americans could not travel on ships of warring powers Goal of these Acts: Avoid involvement in a European Conflict

Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis Japan, Italy and Germany form the AXIS Powers – All agreed to fight Soviet Communism – Agreed not to interfere with each other’s plans for expansion – Cleared the way for these nations to take very bold steps to expand

Hitler Invades Rhineland

“The German question can be solved only by means of force” Video Austria – Most Austrians favored unification – Appeasement! The Sudetenland – Western Czechoslovakia – Natural resources – “Last Territorial Demand” – The Munich Agreement Appeasement again!

Neville Chamberlain & Winston Churchill Chamberlain: British Prime Minister on appeasement: – “Peace for our time.” “Peace for our time.” Churchill: Political rival in Britain: – “Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonor. They chose dishonor. They will have war.”

Hitler & Stalin Stalin: declared the USSR would remain neutral Hitler: began to use propaganda to justify an invasion of Poland Nonagression Pact: – Commitment never to attack each other – Hitler now can avoid a 2- front war in Europe – Seals the fate of Poland The “Secret Agreement” – Poland is split in 1/2

Hitler Imposes BLITZKRIEG Against Poland Lil Hitler Video September 1, 1939 Blitzkrieg Components: – Air Force clears obstacles using bombing raids – Tanks follow, intimidate and destroy remaining targets – *Present enemy with an overwhelming force Poland conquered in 3 weeks Allies have no time to mobilize September 3, 1939: France & Great Britain declare war on Germany September 3, 1939: France & Great Britain declare war on Germany