WWII The Early Days
Japanese Aggression Japan’s Parliament was weak Military assumed power Militarist leaders planned a Pacific Empire Emperor Hirohito gains total control
Japanese Aggression (cont.) 1931 - Japan invades Manchuria Rich in iron & coal League of Nations condemned action – Japan withdrew from the LON Later, Japan would invade China
Italian Aggression 1935 - Italy invades Ethiopia Avenge earlier loss to Ethiopia Establish African colonial empire LON condemns action – Italy withdraws from LON Britain & France did nothing – hoping to keep peace in Europe
German Aggression Germany defies Treaty of Versailles Germany built up army – LON mildly condemned Germany moved into the Rhineland (France did not act) Limited reaction by France & G.B. encouraged Hitler to expand more quickly Italy & Germany join forces (Rome-Berlin Axis)
Spanish Civil War 1931: Spain changes from a monarchy to a republic July 1936: General Francisco Franco led a revolt with army leaders called “Nationalists” favored a Fascist gov. began a 3-year civil war Hitler & Mussolini sent troops, tanks & airplanes to help Franco’s forces Only the Soviet Union sent equipment & advisors to aid the Spanish Republicans 1939: Resistance collapsed & Franco became dictator Francisco Franco
United States United States followed a policy of Isolationism U.S. were NOT members of the League of Nations
German Aggression (cont.) Germany annexes Austria Germany moves into the Sudetenland (German speaking population) Munich Conference: Italy, Germany, GB, France France & G.B follow a policy of appeasement Germany takes over all of Czechoslovakia
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact Aug. 23, 1939: Hitler & Stalin sign a nonaggression pact publicly commit to never attack one another Hitler promised Stalin territory agree to divide Poland between them agree that the USSR could take over Finland and the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) Removed the threat of Germany being attacked by the USSR from the east
Germany Invades Poland Sept. 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland WWII begins