From Appeasement to War Origins of WWII From Appeasement to War

Aggression goes unchecked The totalitarian leaders we have studied took aggressive action during the 1930s. Their actions were met with verbal protest – no action. A policy of appeasement was adopted – giving in to their demands in order to keep peace.

Japan’s War in China The global conflict opened with Japan’s attack on China between 1931-1932. They exercised revisionist powers* in their conquest of Manchuria. * Revising the terms of the Treaty of Versailles after WWI

Japan’s War in China The League of Nations condemned Japan’s invasion, but Japan simply withdrew from the League and continued pursuing an ultranationalist and militarist policy.

Japan’s War in China Why did Japan invade Manchuria? Crowding due to its limited size and increasing population. The Great Depression hit Japan hard. Needed natural resources Japan had invested heavily in Manchuria and wanted to protect its investments.

Japan’s War in China Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China and captured Beijing, Shanghai & Nanjing by December 1937.

Japan’s War in China China became the first nation to experience the horrors of WWII: Brutal warfare against civilians.

Japan’s War in China The “Rape of Nanjing” over 2 months Soldiers raped over 7,000 Chinese women Hundreds of thousands of unarmed soldiers and civilians murdered 1/3 of homes burned 400,000 Chinese used as bayonet practice or executed by machine gun.

Japan’s War in China Chinese resistance groups arose Nationalists (Chiang Kai-shek) Communists (Mao Zedong) Mostly hit-and-run or guerrilla warfare

Italian Aggression Italy suffered terribly in WWI. 600,000 soldiers died National economy never fully recovered Italy found itself shut out of the division of the spoils of war from France and Great Britain.

Italian Aggression Benito Mussolini promised to bring glory to Italy through the acquisition of territories. Italy had annexed Libya in 1911 Conquered Ethiopia (1935-1936) Intervened in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) Annexed Albania in 1939 Similar to Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, the League of Nations did nothing.

Italian Aggression

Spain Collapses into Civil War General Francisco Franco led a revolt that touched off civil war. Hitler & Mussolini backed Franco. Other nations joined in – both sides Soviets backed “Loyalists” U.S., France & Britain stayed neutral. This ended up as a “dress rehearsal” for WWII because Nazis used this to test new weapons.

German Aggression However, Germany systematically undid the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler’s plan for reasserting Germany’s power was remilitarization. He abandoned diplomatic efforts and asserted an aggressive foreign policy. Withdrew from the League of Nations in 1933 Strengthened armed forces 1935 Sent troops into the Rhineland Joined Italy in the Spanish Civil War

German Aggression Hitler forced Anschluss (“union”) with Austria in 1935 Justified as a means of reintegrating all Germans into a single homeland. Soon after, did the same thing with Sudetenland Neither the French nor the British were willing to risk a military confrontation.

Munich Conference September 1938: European leaders from Italy, France, Great Britain and Germany met in Munich. Appeasement policy formalized Hitler promised to cease further efforts to expand Germany Known as the “Munich Accord.” Neville Chamberlin announced the meeting had achieved “Peace for our time.”

Nazi-Soviet Pact March 1939 Hitler broke promise and took the rest of Czechoslovakia. August 1939 Hitler announced a nonaggression pact with Stalin The two agreed not to fight if the other went to war, and to divide Poland between them. September 1, 1939 Hitler invaded Poland; Britain & France declared war on Germany.

Rest of the Chapter Battles in Europe 840-842 Battles in the Pacific 842-844 Victory in Europe 844-845 Victory in the Pacific 846-848 Life during wartime 848-853 The Cold War 853-861