The Drives for Empire Paths to War: Germany, Italy, & Japan World War II Section 2

Germany

ESSENTIAL QUESTION How did appeasement by western nations only serve to encourage German expansion?

1. Treaty of Versailles Violations Identification: Identification: In 1935, Hitler created a new German air force and expanded the military draft in Germany. In March, 1936, Hitler sent troops to occupy Rhineland area of Germany, a “demilitarized” zone. In 1935, Hitler created a new German air force and expanded the military draft in Germany. In March, 1936, Hitler sent troops to occupy Rhineland area of Germany, a “demilitarized” zone. Significance: Significance: All of these actions violated the Treaty of Versailles. All of these actions violated the Treaty of Versailles. No real action was taken by other European countries because they had their own internal economic problems, and they were hoping that was all Hitler would do. No real action was taken by other European countries because they had their own internal economic problems, and they were hoping that was all Hitler would do.

Nazis occupy the Rhineland

2. Annexation of Austria Identification: Identification: In 1938, Germany “annexes” Austria to Germany (makes it a part of Germany) after Hitler threatens Austria with invasion if it doesn’t agree to be controlled by the Nazis. Billboards in support of Hitler

Significance: Significance: Fulfills Hitler’s goal of “Anschluss” (union) with Hitler’s native land of Austria. Action shows Hitler’s disregard of world opinion and willingness to use military might to get what he wants. Fulfills Hitler’s goal of “Anschluss” (union) with Hitler’s native land of Austria. Action shows Hitler’s disregard of world opinion and willingness to use military might to get what he wants. Annexation of Austria (cont…)

3. Czechoslovakia/ Sudetenland Identification: Identification: In Sept. 1938, Hitler demanded that Germany be given Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia (area largely inhabited by Germans) and declared willingness to risk “world war” to get it. In Sept. 1938, Hitler demanded that Germany be given Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia (area largely inhabited by Germans) and declared willingness to risk “world war” to get it. Significance: Significance: Results in the Munich Conference but demonstrates Hitler’s continuing disregard of world opinion. Results in the Munich Conference but demonstrates Hitler’s continuing disregard of world opinion.

4. Munich Conference Identification: Identification: Conference in Munich, Germany (Sept. 1938) after Hitler demanded the Sudetenland. Conference in Munich, Germany (Sept. 1938) after Hitler demanded the Sudetenland. Great Britain, France, and Italy caved in to Hitler and allowed him to occupy the Sudetenland because he promised that he would not make any more demands. Great Britain, France, and Italy caved in to Hitler and allowed him to occupy the Sudetenland because he promised that he would not make any more demands.

Munich Conference (cont…) Significance: Significance: Example of “appeasement” by European countries. Prime Minister of Great Britain, Neville Chamberlain, boasted that the agreement meant “peace for our time.” Example of “appeasement” by European countries. Prime Minister of Great Britain, Neville Chamberlain, boasted that the agreement meant “peace for our time.” Instead, Hitler just became more bold, believing that other countries would not interfere with his plans. Instead, Hitler just became more bold, believing that other countries would not interfere with his plans.

5. Nazi/Soviet Pact Identification: Identification: Aug 1939, Germany and Soviet Union sign Nazi- Soviet Nonaggression Pact (nations promise not to attack each other). Hitler promises Stalin that he can have control of eastern Poland. Aug 1939, Germany and Soviet Union sign Nazi- Soviet Nonaggression Pact (nations promise not to attack each other). Hitler promises Stalin that he can have control of eastern Poland. Significance: Significance: Gave Hitler freedom to attack Poland without risking being attacked by Soviet Union. Gave Hitler freedom to attack Poland without risking being attacked by Soviet Union.

6. Invasion of Poland Identification: Identification: On Sept 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Significance: Significance: Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. World War II begins.

Italy & Japan

ESSENTIAL QUESTION How can the ideology of fascism explain why the Japanese and Italians expanded so agressively?

1. Invasion of Ethiopia Identification: Identification: Oct., 1935, Mussolini (Italy) invads Ethiopia, as part of his dream to create a new Roman Empire in the Mediterranean. Oct., 1935, Mussolini (Italy) invads Ethiopia, as part of his dream to create a new Roman Empire in the Mediterranean. Significance: Significance: Mussolini becomes closer to Hitler because Hitler supports his action; Britain and France condemn his action. Mussolini becomes closer to Hitler because Hitler supports his action; Britain and France condemn his action.

2. Rome-Berlin Axis 2. Rome-Berlin Axis Identification: Identification: Alliance between Italy and Germany, resulting from written agreement between the two countries signed in Oct Significance: Significance: Results in further cooperation between two countries, such as helping Franco in the Spanish Civil War.

3. Manchuria Identification: Identification: Sept, 1931, Japanese seized Manchuria from China to obtain their rich natural resources that were greatly needed by Japan. Sept, 1931, Japanese seized Manchuria from China to obtain their rich natural resources that were greatly needed by Japan. League of Nations condemned Japan, so Japan withdrew from the League. League of Nations condemned Japan, so Japan withdrew from the League. Significance: Significance: Opened the door for further expansion into China by Japan. U.S. refused to recognize Japanese control of Manchuria but was unwilling to threaten force. Opened the door for further expansion into China by Japan. U.S. refused to recognize Japanese control of Manchuria but was unwilling to threaten force.

4. Rape of Nanking (Nanjing) Identification: Identification: A six-week period following the Japanese capture of the city of Nanking, on December 9, A six-week period following the Japanese capture of the city of Nanking, on December 9, Hundreds of thousands of civilians were murdered and 20,000–80,000 women were raped by soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were murdered and 20,000–80,000 women were raped by soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. Significance: Significance: Demonstrates the brutality of Japanese soldiers and total disregard for lives of conquered civilians. Also, is a preview of how Japan will treat captured prisoners of war. Demonstrates the brutality of Japanese soldiers and total disregard for lives of conquered civilians. Also, is a preview of how Japan will treat captured prisoners of war.

Prisoners being buried alive Prisoners being buried alive

5. New Order in East Asia Identification: Identification: 1930’s/early 1940’s: Japanese plan to establish a “new order” by uniting China and Manchuria under Japanese control. Plan later extended to include Southeast Asian conquered countries like Burma and French Indochina. Slogan: “Asia for the Asiatics” 1930’s/early 1940’s: Japanese plan to establish a “new order” by uniting China and Manchuria under Japanese control. Plan later extended to include Southeast Asian conquered countries like Burma and French Indochina. Slogan: “Asia for the Asiatics” Significance: Significance: Japan used its new territories to get raw materials for its war machine and as markets for its manufactured goods. Japan used its new territories to get raw materials for its war machine and as markets for its manufactured goods.

6. Anti-Comintern Pact Identification: Identification: Nov, 1936: Agreement signed by Germany and Japan promising to fight against communism (the Soviet Union). Nov, 1936: Agreement signed by Germany and Japan promising to fight against communism (the Soviet Union). Significance: Significance: Strengthens Hitler’s position against the Soviet Union. Gives Hitler a powerful ally in the coming World War II. Strengthens Hitler’s position against the Soviet Union. Gives Hitler a powerful ally in the coming World War II.