I TALIAN AND J APANESE A GGRESSION SWBAT: explain how the League of Nations failed to stop Italian and Japanese aggression in Africa and Asia. Homework: Rape of Nanking chart. Do Now: Read the sheet on the League of Nations and define/answer the questions that follow.

J APAN

T HE W ORLD M AKES S TRIDES A GAINST WAR In 1928 the U.S. secretary of state, Frank B. Kellogg, and the French foreign minister, Aristide Briand, met in Paris. Together they created an agreement that made war "illegal." Eventually more than 60 nations signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact. During the 1930s, however, it became clear that world powers would not be able to put such an agreement into effect. Japan would make one of the first challenges to this pact.

G OVERNMENT IN J APAN The Japanese military began gaining power in the late 1920s. Then in 1930 Japan's prime minister was fatally shot. Political chaos followed the assassination. Within two years, a group of military leaders controlled the Japanese government under Emperor Hirohito

T HE B EGINNING OF A GGRESSION In September 1931 a small group of Japanese army officers staged a fake attack on the railway near Mukden, in China's province of Manchuria. Blaming the attack on China, Japanese forces in Manchuria quickly took control of the entire province. The major nations in the League of Nations condemned Japan's aggression but were not willing to take military action to protect China. Japan responded by withdrawing from the League of Nations.

J APAN G OES U NCHECKED The lack of opposition encouraged Japan to keep moving forward. Announced its intention of extending its influence not only to all of China, but also throughout East Asia and the western Pacific. This will lead to the Rape of Nanking, that will lead to ~300,000 deaths. Japan ultimately takes the capital of China, ¼ of China’s land, and all major seaports.

J APAN ’ S E MPIRE BY 1942

I TALY

M USSOLINI C HALLENGES W ORLD P EACE Mussolini worked to improve Italy's economy. He believed that overseas expansion would help ease some of Italy's economic problems. Ethiopia, one of the few independent nations in Africa, became the target of Mussolini's aggressive goals.

T HE B EGINNINGS OF A GGRESSION When a border dispute with Italy occurred in 1934, Ethiopia called on the League of Nations to help. The League could not offer military protection to Ethiopia. A year later Italian forces invaded and defeated the poorly equipped Ethiopian army. The League declared Italy an aggressor and placed economic sanctions on the country. Had little effect on Italy, however. In the spring of 1936, Mussolini announced Ethiopia was part of the Italian Empire.

I TALY GOES U NCHECKED Most countries did not agree with Italy's actions, however, no major power was willing to enforce the League's sanctions. Why do you think this is?

N O ONE WANTS TO HELP Horrible memories of World War I made countries such as Great Britain and the United States unwilling to risk another war. Many countries were also busy dealing with the problems created by the Great Depression. BECAUSE THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS DOES NOTHING TO STOP ITALY AND JAPAN, they realized they could continue their acts of aggression with little real threat of opposition. What message does this sent to a country like Germany?

Q UESTION

N ANKING A CTIVITY Read the info sheet on the Rape of Nanking and answer the questions that follow. Be ready to discuss towards the end of class.