Download Paths to War: The Drives for Empire

The Drives for Empire
Paths to War:
Germany, Italy, & Japan
World War II
Section 2
Germany
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How did appeasement by western nations only
serve to encourage German expansion?
1. Treaty of Versailles Violations

Identification:
 In 1935, Hitler created a new German
air force and expanded the military
draft in Germany. In March, 1936,
Hitler sent troops to occupy Rhineland
area of Germany, a “demilitarized”
zone.

Significance:
 All of these actions violated the
Treaty of Versailles.
 No real action was taken by other
European countries because they had
their own internal economic problems,
and they were hoping that was all
Hitler would do.
Nazis occupy
the Rhineland
2. Annexation of Austria

Identification:

Billboards in support of
Hitler
In 1938, Germany “annexes”
Austria to Germany (makes it
a part of Germany) after Hitler
threatens Austria with invasion
if it doesn’t agree to be
controlled by the Nazis.
Annexation of Austria (cont…)

Significance:

Fulfills Hitler’s goal of
“Anschluss” (union) with
Hitler’s native land of Austria.
Action shows Hitler’s
disregard of world opinion and
willingness to use military
might to get what he wants.
3. Czechoslovakia/
Sudetenland

Identification:


In Sept. 1938, Hitler demanded that Germany be
given Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia (area
largely inhabited by Germans) and declared
willingness to risk “world war” to get it.
Significance:

Results in the Munich Conference but
demonstrates Hitler’s continuing disregard of
world opinion.
4. Munich Conference

Identification:

Conference in Munich,
Germany (Sept. 1938) after
Hitler demanded the
Sudetenland.

Great Britain, France, and
Italy caved in to Hitler and
allowed him to occupy the
Sudetenland because he
promised that he would not
make any more demands.
Munich Conference (cont…)

Significance:


Example of “appeasement” by
European countries. Prime
Minister of Great Britain,
Neville Chamberlain, boasted
that the agreement meant
“peace for our time.”
Instead, Hitler just became
more bold, believing that other
countries would not interfere
with his plans.
5. Nazi/Soviet Pact

Identification:


Aug 1939, Germany and
Soviet Union sign NaziSoviet Nonaggression Pact
(nations promise not to attack
each other). Hitler promises
Stalin that he can have
control of eastern Poland.
Significance:

Gave Hitler freedom to attack
Poland without risking being
attacked by Soviet Union.
6. Invasion of Poland

Identification:


On Sept 1, 1939,
Germany invaded
Poland.
Significance:

Two days later, Britain
and France declared war
on Germany. World
War II begins.
Italy & Japan
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How can the ideology of fascism explain why
the Japanese and Italians expanded so
aggressively?
1. Invasion of Ethiopia

Identification:


Oct., 1935, Mussolini
(Italy) invads Ethiopia, as
part of his dream to create
a new Roman Empire in
the Mediterranean.
Significance:

Mussolini becomes closer
to Hitler because Hitler
supports his action; Britain
and France condemn his
action.
2. Rome-Berlin Axis


Identification:
 Alliance between Italy and
Germany, resulting from
written agreement between
the two countries signed in
Oct 1936.
Significance:
 Results in further
cooperation between two
countries, such as helping
Franco in the Spanish Civil
War.
3. Manchuria

Identification:



Sept, 1931, Japanese seized
Manchuria from China to obtain
their rich natural resources that
were greatly needed by Japan.
League of Nations condemned
Japan, so Japan withdrew from
the League.
Significance:

Opened the door for further
expansion into China by Japan.
U.S. refused to recognize
Japanese control of Manchuria
but was unwilling to threaten
force.
4. Rape of Nanking (Nanjing)

Identification:



A six-week period following the Japanese capture of the
city of Nanking, on December 9, 1937.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians were murdered and
20,000–80,000 women were raped by soldiers of the
Imperial Japanese Army.
Significance:

Demonstrates the brutality of Japanese soldiers and total
disregard for lives of conquered civilians. Also, is a
preview of how Japan will treat captured prisoners of war.
Prisoners being buried alive
5. New Order in East Asia

Identification:


1930’s/early 1940’s: Japanese plan to establish a “new
order” by uniting China and Manchuria under Japanese
control. Plan later extended to include Southeast Asian
conquered countries like Burma and French Indochina.
Slogan: “Asia for the Asiatics”
Significance:

Japan used its new territories to get raw materials for its
war machine and as markets for its manufactured goods.
6. Anti-Comintern Pact

Identification:


Nov, 1936: Agreement
signed by Germany and
Japan promising to fight
against communism (the
Soviet Union).
Significance:

Strengthens Hitler’s position
against the Soviet Union.
Gives Hitler a powerful ally
in the coming World War II.