From Appeasement to War WWII Ch 14.1

Aggression Goes Unchecked Japan on the move~1931-1937 Japan wants an empire equal to the western powers. 1931 Japan seizes Manchuria League of Nations condemns Japan’s aggression Japan with draws from the League. 1937 Japanese armies overrun much of eastern China despite protests from the west.

Aggression Goes Unchecked Italy invades Ethiopia~1935 Mussolini desires to pursue his own imperialist ambitions. Memories of previous defeat in Ethiopia (1896) still linger. 1935 Italy invades Ethiopia who is no match for Italy’s military tanks, guns, poison gas, & planes.

Italy invades Ethiopia~1935 cont Ethiopian King Haile Selassie appeals to the League of Nations for help. League imposes sanctions on Italy for violating international law. Sanctions were not enforced

Spanish Civil War~1936 Spain moves from a monarchy to a republic. New government makes controversial changes redistributing wealth & giving more rights to women. Civil war erupts between the republic & conservative nationalist group (Francis Franco) Several European countries take sides Hitler & Mussolini – Nationalists Stalin- Republic

Spanish Civil War~1936 cont. Hitler experiments with new military technology both sides commit atrocities millions of people are killed 1939 Franco is successful, Spain becomes a fascist dictatorship.

Road to War Austria is Annexed ~ March 1938 Hitler desires a union between Germany & Austria (Anschluss) Austrian Chancellor forced to appoint Nazis to key govt. positions German army is sent in to “preserve order”. Opposing Austrians are silenced no opposition from western democracies

Road to War cont. Czechoslovakia ~ September 1938 Hitler insists that 3 mil. Germans in the Sudetenland be given autonomy Britain & France unwilling to go to war want a peaceful solution Hitler increases his demands, & wants Sudetenland to be annexed to Germany

Road to War cont. Munich Conference Britain and France choose appeasement & agree to Hitler’s demands Hitler Promises that he has “no future plans for expansion”. March 1939 Hitler invades Czechoslovakia.

The Plunge Toward War Nazi-Soviet Pact ~ August 1939 Hitler and Stalin sign a “Non-Aggression Pact” Both agree to not attack each other To divide Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe between them.

The Plunge Toward War Invasion of Poland ~ September 1939 Hitler uses a massive “Blitzkrieg” (lightning war to attack Poland Within two days (9/9/39), Britain & France declare war on Germany. Poland is conquered by the end of September.