Aggressors Invade Nations Japan, Italy and Germany in the 1930’s Unit 7

Conquest in the 1930’s Germany, Italy and Japan were bent 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. Japanese need land and resources; Rape of Nanking League of Nations did not stop Japan.

VerOVERCROWDING

Italy Italy wanted to invade countries like 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 Mussolini passage through the Suez Canal to Ethiopia. Why?

Germany Hitler wanted to undo the Treaty of Versailles Expanded army Invaded Rhineland (area between France & Germany) Took Austria (Anschluss) Took Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) Mussolini and Hitler formed Rome-Berlin Axis. Later added Japan to form Axis Powers Signed secret Nonaggression Pact (agreement to not attack) with Stalin

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

Treaty of Versailles Rules Review What were the specific rules that Germany had to follow? 1) Limited size of German Army 2) Demilitarize the Rhineland (buffer zone) 3) Not allowed to unite with Austria 4) Germany had to pay reparations for the war ** How does Hitler get away with breaking the rules?

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.