Lesson 6: Aggressors Invade Nations

Lesson 6: Aggressors Invade Nations

Lesson Objectives:

• Describe Japan's attempts to build an empire.

• Trace the moves of European fascists in seeking world power.

• Summarize why British and French appeasement and American isolationism failed to stop fascist aggression.

In the 1930s, as fascism spread in Europe, Britain, France and the US were distracted by economic problems at home and longed to remain at peace.

Japan

• Military leaders gained support and soon won control of the country.

• The military made the emperor the symbol of state power as they had total control over all aspects of life in the country, including the government, economy, and transportation.

Japanese Militarism

• Japan's military was extremely nationalist and they wanted to solve the country's economic problems, lack of resources, and growing population through expansion.

• In 1931, the Japanese army seized Manchuria (iron and coal) where they set up a puppet government complete with mines and factories.

• In 1937, Japan invaded China. China's army led by Jiang Jieshi was no match for the better equipped and trained Japanese.

Multiple Choice

How did Japan plan to solve problems caused by the Great Depression?

• by creating an empire that would provide new markets

• by eliminating the emperor as the symbol of state power

• by promising to renounce war as an instrument of national policy

• by installing a new forceful leader to take control over all aspects of life in the country

Open Ended

What was the major weakness of the League of Nations?

Italian Aggression

• Mussolini set out to make Italy a strong military power and to carry out an imperialist policy.

• To avenge the Italian failed attempt of Ethiopian colonization in the 1890s, Mussolini ordered a massive invasion of Ethiopia in October 1935.

• Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selassie, appealed to the League for help but it could not stop the Italian advance. Italian troops were also allowed to pass through the British-controlled Suez Canal on their way to Ethiopia.

German Aggression

• In March 1935, Hitler announced that Germany would not obey the restriction on Germany's army. The League issued only a mild condemnation.

• March 1936, German troops moved into the Rhineland. The French did not retaliate as they were unwilling to risk war.

• The British urged appeasement: giving in to an aggressor to keep the peace.

Multiple Choice

How did the British advise the French to respond to the German invasion of the Rhineland?

• to give in to Germany's aggression in order to keep peace

• to rely on the League of Nations to punish Germany

• to launch a counterattack against the Germans

• to form an alliance with the germans

The reoccupation of the Rhineland marked a turning point in the march toward war.

(1) strengthened Hitler's power and prestige within Germany

(2) the balance of power change in Germany's favor

(3) the weak response by France and Britain encouraged Hitler to speed up Hitler's expansion

Hitler's growing strength convinced Mussolini that he should seek an alliance with Germany.

October 1936, the two dictators reach an agreement that became known as Rome-Berlin Axis.

A month later, Germany made an agreement with Japan creating the Axis Powers.

Spanish Civil War

• In July 1936, Francisco Franco led a revolution that pushed for a fascist-style government.

• In 1939, Republican resistance collapsed. Franco became Spain's fascist dictator like Hitler and Mussolini.

Democratic Nations Preserving Peace

• In the 1930s, Britain and France repeatedly made concessions hoping to keep the peace.

• The United States kept its isolation and passed three neutrality acts that banned loans and the sale of arms to nations at war.

German Reich Expands

• In 1937, Hitler announced his plans to absorb Austria and Czechoslovakia into the Third Reich or German Empire.

• In 1938, Hitler annexed Austria while France and Britain ignored their pledge to protect Austrian independence.

• In 1938, Hitler demanded that the Sudetenland be given to Germany as the Czechs refused and asked France for help.

Munich Conference

• Mussolini proposed a meeting of Germany, France, Britain, and Italy in Munich, Germany

• British PM Neville Chamberlain believed that he could preserve peace by giving in to Hitler's demand as they agreed that Hitler could take the Sudetenland.

• "I believe it is peace for our time." - Chamberlain

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was a result of the Munich Conference?

• Britain and France signed a nonaggression pact with Germany.

• The Germans were not allowed to form a union with Austria.

• The Germans were prohibited from taking the Sudetenland.

• Britain and France agreed to Hitler's demands.

Hitler Advances

• Less than six months after the Munich meeting, Hitler took Czechoslovakia as Mussolini seized Albania.

• Hitler demanded that Poland return its former German port of Danzig.

• The Poles refused and turned to Britain and France for aid. Hitler knew neither nation would risk war.

Stalin bargained with Hitler as Germany and Russia publicly pledge never to attack each other.

Open Ended

Why was the German nonaggression pact with Russia significant?

Big Idea: As Germany, Italy, and Japan conquered other countries, the rest of the world did nothing to stop them.

Why it matters now: Many nations today take a more active and collective role in world affairs, as in the United Nations.

Lesson Objectives:

• Describe Japan's attempts to build an empire.

• Trace the moves of European fascists in seeking world power.

• Summarize why British and French appeasement and American isolationism failed to stop fascist aggression.