Aggressors on the March

Many of the major democracies were too worried about domestic problems to notice the build up of German

and Italian military forces.

World Drifts Towards War• In the 1930’s, military

leaders would take control of Japan– They planned on

solving the countries economic problems (depression) through expansion (a Pacific Empire)

– Japan would eventually invade China

But the military leaders were

extreme nationalists and supported the

emperor, Hirohito

Japan had invested a great deal into China’s province, Manchuria

• It was rich in iron & coal which was vital to Japan’s war effort.

• Japan took advantage of the Civil War in China and their army moved in and occupied Manchuria

• They would eventually attack China in 1937 (more on that later)

• (Notice Japan using gas in their attacks against the Chinese). Documents show that Emperor Hirohito authorized their use 375 times against the Chinese.

Policy of appeasement—France and Britain gave into Hitler’s demands in in hopes of keeping peace

Germany, Italy, and Japan would enter into a treaty called the Axis Powers

Mussolini attacks EthiopiaHe knew that the League of Nations would not

get involvedHe didn’t know how tough it would be to

subdue them. He needed Germany’s help to defeat them

Cadets at newly opened military school - 1935

Effects of mustard gas attack by Italians on the Ethiopians

Halie Selassie addressing the League of Nations asking for their help against Italian

aggression/invasion

Civil War in Spain

• Military leaders led by Francisco Franco began a revolt in Spain which turned into a civil war

• Franco was aided by Hitler and Mussolini– They sent troops,

tanks, and airplanes

• Democratic leaders in Spain were aided by Russia

American volunteers known as the “Lincoln

Brigade”

Western Democracies Fail to Halt Aggression

• Along with Britain and France, the United States also failed to act against fascist movements in Europe

• United States followed a policy of Isolationism—belief that political ties to other countries should be avoided

• Neutrality Acts (1935)—Congress passed a law that banned the US from loaning money and selling weapons to nations at war

German Reich Expands

• Hitler planned to absorb Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Russia

• March 1938—Germany annexed Austria

• September 1938—Hitler demands Sudetenland

• Munich Conference—Neville Chamberlin (Britain) concedes Sudetenland

• March 1939—Germany takes the rest of Czechoslovakia

• Mussolini invades Albania

• Hitler demands the port of Danzig in Poland

• 1939—Hitler signs a nonaggression pact with Stalin