Focus 2/26 In the face of hostile actions taken by Japan, Italy, and Germany, the League of Nations, an organization formed to keep the peace, did not act strong enough to stop the aggression. The League of Nations and the Western democracies reacted with sanctions, appeasement, and pacifism. Point for Discussion: How did the Treaty of Versailles lead to German aggression? Terms to Know: sanctions. appeasement, pacifism Critical Lens: Appeasement only encourages people to take more.

Start of World War II

Japan seizes Manchuria in 1931 Japan seizes Manchuria in 1931

Start of World War II Italy invades Ethiopia Italy invades Ethiopia

Start of World War II 1936 – Hitler begins taking territory in Rhineland between France and Germany 1936 – Hitler begins taking territory in Rhineland between France and Germany

Start of World War II League of Nations and western democracies reaction to aggression League of Nations and western democracies reaction to aggression - Sanctions - Appeasement - Pacifism

Start of World War II Rome-Berlin- Tokyo Axis – In the face of the democracies’ apparent weakness, Germany, Italy, and Japan form Axis Rome-Berlin- Tokyo Axis – In the face of the democracies’ apparent weakness, Germany, Italy, and Japan form Axis

Start of World War II Germany continues aggression: Germany continues aggression: - Germany annexes Austria - Germany demands Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia

Start of World War II Munich Conference 1938 – British and France persuade Czech government to appease Hitler and give him Sudetenland Munich Conference 1938 – British and France persuade Czech government to appease Hitler and give him Sudetenland British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain proclaims, “We have achieved peace for our time.” British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain proclaims, “We have achieved peace for our time.”

Start of World War II March 1939 – Hitler invades the rest of Czechoslovakia March 1939 – Hitler invades the rest of Czechoslovakia

Start of World War II Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact – 1939 Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact – Stalin and Hitler sign a secret pact pledging not to attack each other

Focus 3/2 Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 was the opening of hostilities in World War II. Germany and the Soviets signed a Non-Aggression Pact and agreed to divide Poland between each other. In a surprise move, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa and attacked the Soviet Union. Point for Discussion: Explain how the League of Nation's policy of appeasement encouraged Germany's invasion of Poland. Term to Know: Appeasement Critical Lens: Appeasement led to World War II.

Start of World War II September 1, 1939 – Germany invades Poland September 1, 1939 – Germany invades Poland - Britain and France declare war on Germany.

Closure Explain how the actions of the European democracies (Britain and France) encouraged the Axis Powers (Germany, Japan, and Italy) to engage in aggressive military actions. Explain how the actions of the European democracies (Britain and France) encouraged the Axis Powers (Germany, Japan, and Italy) to engage in aggressive military actions.