Why does Japan have an emperor? After World War II, the United States insisted that the Emperor remain as a figurehead to ensure a level of stability, long term legend has it that the first Emperor was actually a descendent of a goddess. Why did they change the flag? The flag I showed last time was the military flag. The current flag dates back to Why language do they speak in Manchuria? They used to speak Manchu, but now almost all speak Mandarin Chinese.

Why is it called Japan? Japan is an exonym, a word that didn’t originate in the country it describes. In other words it is the name Japan is referred to as by other countries. Japan was a Chinese word which was picked up on by the British. The Japanese names for Japan are Nippon and Nihon. Why did Hitler like Tojo even if he was Japanese? Hitler of course believed all races other than Aryan were inferior. In Mein Kampf, Hitler defined Japan as a target of “international jewry” and thus a potential ally. Tojo and Hitler had very little if anything to do with each other. They lived on opposite sides of the world.

Ethiopia Formerly Abyssinia 2 nd most populous country in Africa and the tenth largest by area. Economy: Agriculture, coffee, pulses, oilseeds, cereals, potatoes, sugarcane, vegetables. According to the New York Times, “Ethiopia could become the bread- basket for much of Europe if her agriculture was better organised”. Coffee is it’s most important export.

Hit hard by the depression, Italian leader Benito Mussolini looks for national distractions. What better distraction than a military campaign? Since coming to power Mussolini had talked about creating a large Italian empire overseas and they already had colonies in Libya, Eritrea and Somaliland. Weak and backward Ethiopia looked like an easy target. Italy had fought hard in WWI and had not been well rewarded in the Treaty of Versailles.

“It is not only my army that marches to its objective, 44 million Italians march with that Army, all united and alert. Let others try to commit the blackest injustice, taking away Italy’s place in the sun. When in 1915, Italy united her fate with the Allies, how many promises were made? To fight the common victory Italy brought her supreme contribution of 670,000 dead, 480,000 disabled and more than a million wounded. When we went to the table of that odious peace they gave us only the crumbs of the colonial booty.” Mussolini, October

Alarmed at Germany’s rearming, France, Italy, and Britain met at Stresa, in Italy, in April 1935 to protest Hitler’s breaking of the Treaty of Versailles. The promised to safeguard the Peace of Europe. For Mussolini it was an opportunity to show his people What a great diplomat he was and how hard he was working to keep the peace But he would eventually break the peace himself.

Who were Mussolini’s staunchest critics? Why was Libya not much of an asset? Why did people think Italy should invade Ethiopia? How did the British react when Mussolini’s daughter said he planned to go into Ethiopia? What date did Italy invade? How many troops did Italy have? What was kept from the public?

Another test for the League of Nations after their weak attempts to punish Japan for invading Manchuria. “I assert that the problem submitted to the Assembly today is much wider than merely a question of settlement of Italian aggression; it is collective security, it is the very existence of the League.” Haile Selassie, Ethiopian leader

Italy is condemned by the League of Nations and economic sanctions are passed. Ships were forbidden to carry arms to Italy or take goods away from Italy. The sanctions were useless though because Italy’s oil supplies were never cut off.

Britain and France could Have cut off Italy’s supplies With a naval blockade but Had no wish to upset Mussolini. Instead they met In secret to come up with a plan called the Hoare-Laval Pact which would give Italy most of Ethiopia. When the public found out the pact was dropped.

League is once again undermined, almost fatally. Mussolini is so annoyed by the sanctions he pulls out of the League and begins to look to Hitler for support. Hitler sees the crisis as proof the League and collective security can’t work and begins to pursue his foreign interests.