Setting the Stage for War

1. Setting the Stage for War

2. Militaristic Japan • Emperor reigns but doesn’t rule • 1920’s extreme military leaders attempted to overthrow the emperor. • Great Depression put blame on government • Unsuccessful • Military leaders launch surprise attack on China anyway • In Manchuria • Why would Japan want to invade another country?

3. Manchukuo- 1931 Civil War • Within months Japan controlled this area • Set up a “puppet government” Why didn’t China win against tiny • Japan? • Chiang Kai-shek (democratic) could not defeat the Japanese • Better equipped and trained (westernization) • Conquer Beijing and Nanjing • The Democratic Chinese set up new capital in west and continue to fight Mao Zedong (a Chinese communist)

4. Japanese Invasions • What’s the League of Nations? • Sent people to investigate • What did Japan do? • Militarists in total control of Japan

5. The Invasion

6. Review Questions • Describe the military in Japan? Who ruled Japan? • Why were the Japanese interested in capturing Manchuria? • Why were the Japanese able to defeat a larger Chinese force?

7. Italy Conquers • Ethiopia • Resisted Italians in 1890s • Mussolini wants revenge • October 1935 defeats the Ethiopians • Italians had modern weapons, Ethiopians did not • League condemns Italy but does nothing • Hope to keep peace by giving in

8. Hitler Ignores Versailles Treaty • See’s the League did nothing to Japan- build up army. • League could not stop him • Actually makes Hitler more confident • Rhineland • Buffer between Germany and France • Hitler invades despite warnings • Appeasement • Giving in to the opponent to keep peace • If Britain had stepped in at this point, Hitler would of stopped. • Strengthens Hitler’s prestige and power • Opens up Belgium and France to Germany • Axis Powers Formed • Italy and Japan decide to join up with Germany

9. Taking the Rhineland Video Clip #2

10. Review Question #2 • Why was Mussolini so intent on taking over Ethiopia? • Why was control of the Rhineland so important to Hitler? • Describe how the British and French policy of appeasement contributed to Hitler’s aggressiveness.

11. The Spanish Civil War • Francisco Franco • Fascist leader starts civil war in Spain • Hitler and Mussolini come to his aid • Western democracies stay out of it • Russia helps a little • Franco wins and becomes dictator Video Clip #3

12. The Final Steps • U.S. was still Isolationist • Passes Neutrality Acts • The Third Reich • March 1938 • Germany annexes Austria • France and Britain ignore pledge to protect Austria • Sudetenland • Area of Czech made up of German speakers • Hitler demands rule of the area • Czech’s ask for help • Appeasement Round 2 • Munich Conference • Germany, France, Britain, Italy • Neville Chamberlain • British P.M. chooses appeasement • Gives Germany Sudetenland if Germany would respect Czech border • Winston Churchill • Warns that appeasement would lead to war

13. Was Hitler really done?

14. Six Months Later • March, 1938 • Hitler takes Czechoslovakia • Mussolini takes Albania • Hitler demands Danzig port from Poland • Doesn’t think Britain and France will risk war • Hitler and Stalin sign nonaggression pact • August 23rd, 1939 • Why? • No one is left to stop the Axis Powers

15. Review Questions #3 • Why did Mussolini and Hitler want to help Francisco Franco? • What steps were taken by Hitler and Mussolini to test the will of the British and French? • Explain how the nonaggression pact between the Soviets and Germans proved to be the key to Hitler moving towards war.