Aggressors Invade Nations Japan, Italy and Germany in the 1930’s
Conquest in the 1930’s Germany, Italy and Japan were focused on military conquest. All 3 nations had dreams of building large empires. Germany= Third Reich
Japan World-wide economic depression led to an overthrow of the government by the military. Emperor Hirohito stayed the leader, but the military made all of the decisions. Seized Manchuria first, then China. Rape of Nanking, 1937 League of Nations did not stop Japan. What does Japan want? OIL!!!
Emperor Hirohito
Italy Italy wanted to invade countries as Japan did. Mussolini invaded Ethiopia first due to an old defeat in the region in the 1890’s. Ethiopian emperor asked the League of Nations for help- they did nothing. British allowed Muss. passage through Suez Canal to Ethiopia.
Benito Mussolini
Suez Canal and Ethiopia
Germany Hitler wanted to undo the Treaty of Versailles Expanded army Invaded Rhineland (area between France & Germany) Took Austria (Anschluss) Took Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) Muss. and Hitler formed Rome-Berlin Axis. Later added Japan to form Axis Powers Signed secret Nonaggression Pact (agreement to not attack) with Stalin
Adolf Hitler
Where is Everyone? Much of Europe and the U.S. are still affected by the Great Depression of 1929- no $ U.S. took the policy of isolationism (to be neutral/stay out of war) Britain & France adopted policy of appeasement (giving into demands to avoid a conflict) Allowed Hitler to do what he pleased Munich Conference called to try to prevent a war, Sept. 1938 Hitler made promises he never meant to keep Britain believed peace had been achieved
War is Inevitable Breaking the Treaty of Versailles through aggressive tactics would lead to war. Unfortunately, Britain and France dropped the appeasement policy a bit too late. World War II began in Sept. 1939 when Germany invaded Poland.
The Rape of Nanking 300,000 innocent Chinese were slaughtered by the Japanese during their invasion of Nanking, China in 1937. Very brutal 20,000 women were raped/gang raped Limbs were cut off, male/female genitalia cut off, decapitation Japanese govt. does not take full responsibility today. Surprising? What other genocide does this sound like?
Nanjing (Nanking), China
Japanese Soldiers Invade
Dead Bodies in Mass Grave
Bayonet Practice
Family Crying Over Dead Child
Chinese Decapitation
Dead Child Carried By Japanese Soldier
Decapitation in Progress