From Appeasement to War Path to War From Appeasement to War

Axis Powers Germany Japan Italy

Causes: Imperialism, Militarism, and Nationalism Germany, Italy, and Japan Imperialism- wanted more land. Militarism- glorified and built up their military. Nationalism- National pride. Interested in promoting own country’s interests. Versailles Treaty

Japan Tojo Hideki Japan wants an empire equal to that of Western Powers. Invades Manchuria in 1931. In 1937, overruns much of eastern China, starting the Second-Sino Japanese War. Captured then Chinese capital, Nanking.

Rape of Nanking

Italy Italy still rankled by their defeat in 1896 by Ethiopia. Invaded again in 1935. This time, Ethiopian army is no match for tanks and airplanes. Italy conquers Ethiopia by 1936.

Germany Hitler immediately begins to rebuild Germany’s military. First Step Sends troops to the “demilitarized” Rhineland. Second Step Forces Anschluss, or union of Austria and Germany, by sending in army. Third Step Germany annexes the Sudetenland and later, the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Response Appeasement Strongly condemned Giving in to demands of an aggressor to keep the peace. Strongly condemned But did nothing. Why do you think other countries did nothing to stop Hitler, Tojo, or Mussolini?

Why not? Great Depression Pacifism Morally against violence or war. Feared another war like World War I. Thought Fascism was a good defense against Communism.

“Peace for our time”

Non Aggression Pact Nazis and Soviets sign a secret pact saying that they will not attack each other and that they will divide up Poland and Eastern Europe between themselves.

Invasion of Poland September 1st, 1939, one week after the Non Aggression Pact is signed, Germany invades Poland. Britain and France declare war on Germany two days later. World War II had begun.