Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations Collapse

Aggression from Japan After World War I, Japan had a democracy. When economic depression hit in the 1930s, Japan turned to a strong, central government instead of a democracy. They chose to put their emperor in charge. - What other countries followed this pattern? Remember that Japan realized the importance of economic development and industrialized back in the 1800s. –What would be the next step an industrialized nation would want to take (use the front wall to help you!)

Aggression from Japan Japan, like the other industrialized nations, is interested in expanding overseas and getting colonies. In 1931, Japan seizes the northern part of China called Manchuria. This was an area rich in iron and coal that Japanese businesses had already started investing in.

How did the League of Nations respond? Remember, the League of Nations was set up in the Treaty of Versailles so nations could talk through problems rather than going to war. China complained to the League of Nations about Japan taking over Manchuria. -How do you think they responded?

Aggression from Japan The League of Nations responded by criticizing Japan’s actions and calling on them to withdraw. Instead, Japan just withdrew from the League of Nations in In 1937, a border dispute between Japan and China led to a war between these 2 countries. Japan invades China and succeeds in capturing large parts of northern and eastern China. During this time the Japanese torture and rape the Chinese in the occupied cities. This is known as the Rape of Nanking.

Aggression from Italy Mussolini in Italy is encouraged by how little the League of Nations has done to stop Japan’s aggression. Mussolini, like any good Fascist, wants to show how glorious his country is. -What was one of the few countries in Africa that managed to resist colonization and stay independent?

Aggression from Italy In 1935, Italy invades Ethiopia. Haile Selassie, the Ethiopian emperor, asks the League of Nations for help. The League of Nations does nothing to help and in fact Britain and France let Italy use the Suez Canal to get their troops down to Ethiopia faster. -Why do you think that Britain and France didn’t stop Italy’s aggression?

Isolationism and Appeasement In addition to wanting to avoid war, Britain, France and the US had many citizens who were isolationist. This means that they didn’t want their country involved in the problems of other countries.(check your 2 nd question) These countries responded to the aggression from Italy and Japan with appeasement (like the mom to the kid in the candy store)

Aggression from Germany Germany invades the Rhineland in This is a part of Germany that had been given to the French after World War I. -How many ways does this violate the Treaty of Versailles? -What do you think Britain, France and the US are going to do in response?

Aggression from Germany Hitler’s success at reclaiming the Rhineland influences him in a number of ways: -It made him more popular in Germany -It gave him control of an industrialized area which made Germany stronger and richer -It gave him confidence that he could take land without being stopped by France or Britain -It gave him good access to invade France and Belgium. Where do you think Germany might invade next?

Aggression from Germany Next, Germany moves troops into Austria in March, Parades in the street welcome the troops. Sept, 1938 Germany takes over the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. Hitler claims that both of these are necessary because the borders drawn up at the Treaty of Versailles made it so German citizens wound up in a different country. -How do you think France, Great Britain and the US will respond?

Aggression from Germany Munich Conference, Sept.1938: Germany, Italy, France, and Great Britain meet to discuss whether or not Hitler should get to keep the Sudetenland. Czechoslovakia was not invited. Great Britain and France allow Hitler to take the Sudetenland in exchange for a pledge from him that he will not take any more land from Czechoslovakia. (Appeasement) Britain’s Prime Minister Chamberlain believes he has negotiated a peace rather than dragging his country into war. Winston Churchill criticizes him for being naïve and giving in too easily.

New map of Germany, 1938

Alliances Germany, Italy and Japan form alliances with each other. They are known as the Axis Powers. Great Britain and France try to get an alliance with Soviet Union. Germany suggests to the Soviet Union that they can work together to conquer and divide up Poland so they sign a secret alliance with each other in 1939.