Aggressors on the March Chapter 15.4

Setting the Stage Many European countries are falling to dictators – Germany, Italy, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgarian, & Romania Only countries w/strong democratic traditions remained democratic – Britain, France, & Scandinavian countries

Reasons for the Increase in Dictators Economic instability, global depression, lack of strong leadership, & no democratic traditions led many countries into dictatorships Promised simple solutions to complex problems Dictators restricted civil rights. Russia (communist) & Germany (Nazi) assert total control over their citizens

Japan’s Struggles During 1920’s Japan became more democratic Signed a treaty respecting China’s borders. Signed treaty to prevent another war. Parliament had many weaknesses Constitution had strict limits on powers of prime minister & cabinet Civilian leaders had little control over military.

Military Leaders Gain Control over Japan When global depression struck,the democratic government was blamed Military leaders gain popularity & win control in govt. Established a military dictatorship & made emperor the symbol of state power Wanted to solve Japan problems by foreign expansion Wanted a Pacific empire that included a conquered China Empire would give them raw materials, markets for their goods & more living room for their people.

Japan Invades Manchuria The invasion signals the start of WWII in Asia; Manchuria is an area rich in iron & coal; Japan's businesses invested heavily in this area; China was involved in a civil war and were weak; 1st direct challenge to League of Nations. They protested invasion but could not stop it - had no real power.

Read Out Loud Japan Invades China pg 432 Please write down 3 to 4 facts / key points from the paragraph into your notes

Japan Invades China Japan withdraws from the League of Nations; Border incident leads to shots between Japan & China; Japanese forces invade Northern China; Japanese forces are better equipped & trained.

Japan Invades China (Cont.) Beijing falls to Japan Rape of Nanking – Japanese kill tens of thousands of people & soldiers. Jiang Jieshi’s (democratic) forces retreat Mao Zedong’s (communist) forces keep fighting Civil War in China between democratic & communist forces.

Questions Why does Japan fall to a dictatorship? What are the effects of Japan’s military dictatorship?

Objective To describe fascist aggression in Asia & Europe.

League of Nations Created after WWI by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson League was to be an international association to keep peace 5 permanent members – Britain, France, Italy & Japan, Germany. U.S did not join The League because they wanted to stay out of European affairs. The League lacked any real power/authority

Mussolini Attacks Ethiopia Failure of League of Nations to stop Japan encourages Italy to conquer Ethiopia Mussolini orders an invasion of Ethiopia in Oct. 1935. Ethiopia asks the League of Nations for help, but member nations refuse to do anything; Britain and France hope to keep the peace; Italians have superior military technology and Ethiopia is forced to surrender in May of 1936

Hitler Defies Versailles Treaty In 1935, Hitler announced that Germany would not obey Treaty of Versailles Germany begins rebuilding its military. The Treaty of Versailles limited the size of the German military. The League of Nations barely responds Slap on the wrist This convinces Hilter to take even greater risks Banners in Germany read – “Today Germany! Tomorrow the World!”

Hitler Defies Versailles Treaty (cont.) Treaty created a buffer zone between France & Germany – the Rhineland The Rhineland was an important industrial area. On March 7, 1936 German troops invade the Rhineland France does not stop them or retaliate because they didn’t want to risk war. Britain urged appeasement

Hitler’s March Towards War Weak response by Britain & France encourage Hitler to build up his military & pursue further territorial expansion. Mussolini seeks an alliance with Germany; Oct. of 1936, Germany & Italy reach an agreement known as the Rome-Berlin Axis; A month later, Germany & Japan reach an agreement. Italy, Germany & Japan form the Axis Powers

Question How did the responses from the League of Nations and other countries in Europe encourage Mussolini and Hitler to take greater risks?

Civil War Erupts in Spain Spain was an Monarchy until 1931, when a democratic republic was established. In July of 1936 army leaders joined general Francisco Franco in a revolt. They favored a fascist style of govt. Spain was divided by Civil War for 3 years

Civil War Erupts in Spain Hitler & Mussolini sent troops & weapons to help Franco & his forces The Republicans (Spain’s elected govt.) received no help from the international community; By 1936 Franco had became Spain’s Fascist dictator

Pablo Picasso: Guernica Depicts the bombing of Guernica, Spain by German bombers in April of 1937.

Question How does Picasso’s use of image and color depict the horrors of the Spanish Civil War? Please list the images you see in the painting.

Western Democracies Fail to Halt Aggression Britain & France appease aggressors because: They wanted to keep peace; Both countries had serious economic problems because of global depression; Horrors of WWI created deep desire to avoid war.

United States’ Isolation Policy Isolationism – the belief that political ties to other countries should be avoided Believed entry to WWI was a big mistake Neutrality Acts – laws that banned loans & the sale of arms to nations at war. Resisted the role of being a world leader

The German Reich Expands Nov. 5, 1937 Hitler announced his plans to absorb Austria & Czechoslovakia into the Third Reich Treaty of Versailles prevented Germany & Austria from forming a union or Anschluss

The German Reich Expands (cont.) Many Austrians supported a union w/ Germany March 1938, Hitler annexed Austria; France & Britain did not try to stop the union or protect Austria’s independence

Czechoslovakia After WWI, Czechoslovakia developed a strong democracy w/ a strong army. They also signed a defense treaty with France. 3 million German speaking people lived in the western border known as the Sudetenland Many people in the Sudetenland had pro-Nazi feelings. Sept.1938 - Hitler demands that the Sudetenland be given to Germany Czechoslovakia refused & asked France for help.

Map on page 460 -61

Britain & France Choose Appeasement Again Sept. 1938, Munich Conference - Britain, France and Germany meet to discuss Czech. British Prime Minister Chamberlain believes that letting Hitler have Sudetenland will perserve the peace. France & Britain agree to appease Hitler Czech. not invited to meeting. Hitler promises to respect Czech. new border

Hitler Takes Czechoslovakia Less than six months after Munich meeting, Hitler takes all of Czechoslovakia Mussolini takes Albania Hitler demands Poland Poland refuses to surrender to Germany; Poland ask Brit. & France for help. Both countries promise to defend Poland’s independence.

Map of Europe

Germany & Russia Sign Non-aggression Pact Brit. & France asked Russia to join them in stopping Hitler Stalin resented being left out of Munich conference Brit. & France distrust communist govt. Russia reaches an agreement with Hitler to never attack one another Aug. of 1939 sign non-aggression pact

Questions What was U. S. policy towards Hitler & Mussolini? What was Britain & France’s policy towards Hitler & Mussolini? Why did these policies fail?