1. FASCIST AGGRESSION
ROAD TO WORLD WAR II

2. POLICY OF “APPEASEMENT”
Attempting to please someone in order to avoid conflict
Britain and France did not take a firm stand against fascist aggression
They made concessions to the Fascists in hopes of keeping peace
“The Spineless leaders of Democracy”

3. INVASION OF MANCHURIA
Japan’s actions were the 1st to ignite WWII in 1931 when they invaded Manchuria
Manchuria was a wealthy manufacturing/textile area in N. China
Japanese forces swept into northern China in 1937
After almost destroying Shanghai, Japanese troops committed what was called "The Rape of Nanjing." A period of two months, the Japanese soldiers brutally murdered up to 250,000 Chinese civilians and raped up to 80,000 women and girls.

4. INVASION OF ETHIOPIA By Il Duce in October 1935
Effort to build a glorious Italian empire
Revenge for Italy’s defeat in 1890s by the Ethiopians
This time the Ethiopian army was no match against the Italian army
The League of Nations merely condemned the attack “Please Don’t do that”
Britain and France hoped that appeasing Mussolini would help keep peace in Europe…will it?

5. INVASION OF THE RHINELAND
March 7, 1936
It was the last chance to stop Hitler, but Britain and France followed the policy of appeasement
Appeasement- ‘giving into the bully’
It marked an important turning point:
Strengthened Hitler’s power and prestige within Germany
Changed the balance of power in Germany’s favor
Encouraged Hitler to begin a program of military and territorial expansion.

6. ROME-BERLIN AXIS In October 1936 Alliance between Germany and Italy
Expected their alliance to become the axis around which Europe would rotate
A month later, Germany also made an agreement with Japan
Germany+Italy+Japan= AXIS POWERS

7. SPANISH CIVIL WAR
July 1936, General Francisco Franco led a revolt against the elected government
FRANCO was a FASCIST
Hitler and Mussolini sent weapons and troops to help Franco in Spain.
Hitler wanted to test out his troops and military tactics
The Republican army fighting Franco received little help from abroad
Early in 1939, the Republicans collapsed

8. ANNEXATION OF AUSTRIA
The Fuhrer declared Germany needed more lebensraum “living Room” in order to grow
March 1938: Anschluss, or “union,” between Austria and Germany
Part of Hitler’s motivation for taking Austria was that he was born in Austria
Once again, France and Britain did nothing in response to Hitler’s move

9. SUDETENLAND A mountainous region of western Czechoslovakia
Hitler demanded this area, because it was inhabited by about 3 million German-speaking people
September 1938: Hitler suddenly demanded that Czechoslovakia give up the Sudetenland
Hitler threatened to invade the Sudetenland by October 1st

10. MUNICH AGREEMENT “Peace in our Time”
September 29, 1938
Hitler(Germany), Chamberlain(Great Britain), Mussolini(Italy), Daladier(France)
Hitler promised that the Sudetenland was his last territorial claim
In exchange, Hitler pledged to respect Czech new borders
Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demand: POLICY OF APPEASEMENT Chamberlain- “There will be Peace in our Time”
6 months later, Hitler’s troops marched into Czechoslovakia

11. The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Non-aggression pact: a pledge not to attack each other
In August 1939 between Hitler and Stalin
They privately agreed to divide Eastern Europe
Hitler wanted to avoid a two-front war
Stalin needed time to rebuild his Military

12. INVASION OF POLAND
On April 28, 1939, Hitler announced his plans to take back the Polish corridor
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, sending in dive-bombers, tanks, and troops
Blitzkrieg: “lightning war,” or sudden, massive attack
On September 3rd, Britain and France declared war on Germany and began mobilizing for war. WWII officially started.
By the end of September 1939, Poland was conquered

13. EXC Review Attempting to please someone to avoid conflict is called?
Appeasement
First act of aggression
Invasion of Manchuria
Name the countries that make up the Axis Powers
Germany+Italy+Japan
Famous quote at the Munich Conference
“There will be peace in our time”
Reason Hitler signed a treaty with Stalin
To Avoid a Two front war
Translate the word “Blitzkrieg”
Lightning War