1. 29.1: From Appeasement to War

2. Aggression Goes Unchecked Mussolini, Hitler and Japanese leaders – All took aggressive action – Actions only caused VERBAL protest, pleas for peace – Viewed western democracies as weak Post WWI: 1930’s, Western democracies tried to preserve peace – Ignored many signs of aggression & empire building

3. Pre-War Moves by Japan & Italy Japan: many wanted an empire to rival Western powers – Seized Manchuria, in China, in 1931 – Condemned by LON, simply withdrew – 1937: Japan overran much of eastern China Italy: 1935, invades Ethiopia – LON votes to impose sanctions on Italy – LON had no power to enforce those sanctions

4. Hitler Violates the Treaty of Versailles 1 st offense: Builds up German military machine 2 nd offense1936: Sends troops into the Rhineland Results: Made him more popular in Germany – Germans hated the Treaty of Versailles Response by Western Democracies: – Verbal protest, but no real action – Adopted a policy of APPEASEMENT = giving in to demands in order to maintain peace

5. Appeasement: Attempting to Keep the Peace Why did this policy develop? – 1. France suffered political division @ home, could not defeat Germany w/o British help – 2. British had no desire to confront Hitler – 3. Many saw Hitler’s actions as a defense against the spread of Communism – 4. The Great Depression – 5. Pacifism = opposition to all war, prompted by destruction during WWI

6. The Neutrality Acts Passed by U.S. Congress: Forbade sale of arms to any nation at war Outlawed loans to warring nations Americans could not travel on ships of warring powers Goal of these Acts: Avoid involvement in a European Conflict

7. Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis Japan, Italy and Germany form the AXIS Powers – All agreed to fight Soviet Communism – Agreed not to interfere with each other’s plans for expansion – Cleared the way for these nations to take very bold steps to expand

8. Hitler Invades Rhineland

9. “The German question can be solved only by means of force” Video Austria – Most Austrians favored unification – Appeasement! The Sudetenland – Western Czechoslovakia – Natural resources – “Last Territorial Demand” – The Munich Agreement Appeasement again!

10. Neville Chamberlain & Winston Churchill Chamberlain: British Prime Minister on appeasement: – “Peace for our time.” “Peace for our time.” Churchill: Political rival in Britain: – “Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonor. They chose dishonor. They will have war.”

12. Hitler & Stalin Stalin: declared the USSR would remain neutral Hitler: began to use propaganda to justify an invasion of Poland Nonagression Pact: – Commitment never to attack each other – Hitler now can avoid a 2- front war in Europe – Seals the fate of Poland The “Secret Agreement” – Poland is split in 1/2

13. Hitler Imposes BLITZKRIEG Against Poland Lil Hitler Video September 1, 1939 Blitzkrieg Components: – Air Force clears obstacles using bombing raids – Tanks follow, intimidate and destroy remaining targets – *Present enemy with an overwhelming force Poland conquered in 3 weeks Allies have no time to mobilize September 3, 1939: France & Great Britain declare war on Germany September 3, 1939: France & Great Britain declare war on Germany