The Path to War Academic World History II

The Path to War In the 1930s, western democracies watched military dictatorships come to power in Europe and Asia. – Great Britain, France, and the U.S. could not agree on what steps to take to defend their common interests. Much of the unrest came from the settlements that ended World War I. – Germany, Italy, and Japan were not satisfied with these agreements.

Japanese Expansion in Asia Japan sought to conquer new areas to get raw materials and manufactured goods. – In 1931, Japan overran Manchuria (Manchukuo), which was part of China.Japan Video – Japan invades Manchuria – When the League of Nations ordered Japan to return Manchuria to China, Japan left the League. The League of Nations was powerless. – In 1937, Japan attacked China in an effort to control the East Indies. Although unsuccessful, this showed Japan’s desire to expand.

Italy Conquers Ethiopia The League of Nations’ failure to stop Japan from attacking China showed that it was powerless. – Seeing this, Germany and Italy began to look to expand. – In 1934, Ethiopia and Italy clashed over a disputed area in Africa. – Mussolini thought having Ethiopia as a colony would enhance Italy’s image as a world power. In 1935, the Italians invaded Ethiopia.Italians invaded Ethiopia – Ethiopia appealed to the League of Nations for help. The League imposed sanctions, or measures designed to stop trade and economic contact, against Italy.

The sanctions did not include oil, coal, or iron. The league’s sanctions were ineffective, once again illustrating its weakness. In 1936, Italy annexed Ethiopia.

Spanish Civil War In 1931, Spain became a republic and began enacting social reforms. – Many groups wanted to restore the old order in Spain. – In July 1936, an uprising began in Spanish Morocco and spread to Spain. Spanish Nationalists fought Spanish Republicans battled for control. – Early in the war, foreign powers intervened. Germany and Italy supported the Nationalists. USSR supported the Republicans. USA, Great Britain, and France didn’t enter the fighting for fear of starting another war.

Spanish Civil War, cont. – Germany participated in the Spanish civil war to strengthen ties with Italy and gain supplies. – The German air and ground force used Spanish towns as test areas for new weapons and military tactics. By Summer 1936, the Nationalists took most of Spain. – The Soviets stopped aiding the Republicans in 1938, and the war ended soon thereafter. – Francisco Franco, a Fascist dictator, had come to power in Spain. He doesn’t ally himself with Italy and Germany.

Hitler on the offensive Hitler felt Germany needed more lebensraum, or living space. – In 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland, a German region between the French border and the Rhine River. This violated the Treaty of Versailles. The Allies didn’t take military action because they feared war. – In October 1936, Hitler signed a pact with Mussolini known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. – The next month, Hitler signed the anti-Comintern Pact, uniting Germany, Japan, and Italy against Communism.

Hitler on the offensive, cont. – Joseph Stalin asked the western powers to unite against Germany, but they refused. Hitler next focused on making Austria part of his empire. – He bullied the Austrian Chancellor into appointing Nazis to important posts. – In March 1938, Hitler sent troops into Austria and proclaimed it part of Germany. – Hitler next focused on Czechoslovakia. Hitler demanded the Germans living in the Sudetenland be given the right of self-determination.

Hitler on the offensive, cont. – British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with Hitler to try to avoid international crisis. – Chamberlain thought granting appeasement, concessions to maintain peace, would stabilize Europe. Hitler gained control of the Sudetenland at the Munich Conference. – In return, he promised to respect Czechoslovakia’s sovereignty. He also agreed not to take any more European territory and settle disputes peacefully. – Six months later, Hitler sent his armies into Czechoslovakia and took over the country.

Nazi-Soviet Pact Hitler next looked to Poland, which Great Britain and France promised to defend if necessary. – The USSR had asked Great Britain and France to take action against Germany in the late 1930s. – Stalin believed the west wanted to see Germany and the USSR destroy each other. Stalin was concerned about Germany moving into Eastern Europe. – He didn’t think the democracies would help him, so he began secretly talking with Germany.

Nazi-Soviet Pact, cont. Germany and the USSR signed the Nazi-Soviet nonaggression pact. – They pledged not to attack each other. – Each would remain neutral if the other entered a war. – They also agreed to split Poland, with each governing part. – This was a short term alliance between long-time enemies. The west was outraged at the agreement. – They lost a potential ally in the USSR. – This freed up Hitler to pursue his military objectives in Poland.

World War II Begins Hitler was convinced the west would do nothing if he invaded Poland. – Germany invaded Poland on September 1, – Two days later, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany.