peace after World War I. Dictators in Europe and Militarists in Japan 1930s democratic nations of Europe stood against Nazi Germany. World War II lasted from 1939-1945 United Nations born from this war to keep the peace. Dictatorship vs. Democracy
Japan moved against China and into
East Asia. Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany also started to make moves. League of Nations did nothing to stop it. Japan Aggression in Asia
Japan must obtain raw materials from
other countries to run their industries. 1920s and 1930s Japan developed long-range plan to acquire the raw materials. Plan was to conquer East Asia, but mostly China. September 1931, Japanese seized Manchuria and renamed Manchukuo and gave it independence in 1932. Japan really controlled the government No one objected 1937, Japan opened full-scale attack on China. Forces quickly overran northern part of the country Captured the capital Nanking. General and head of China, Chiang Kai- shek, refused to surrender. Moved the Nationalist forces into western China and set up new capital. War for China lasted from 1937-1945 League of Nations condemned Japans aggression and gave aid to China. United States and Soviet Union didnt not send military force against Japan. Japan continued for China and in 1940 moved into northern Indochina. Spanish Civil War
1931, Spanish people changed
government from monarchy to a republic. Government was liberal and proposed many political and economic reforms. Nationalists in Spanish army opposed new government. General Francisco Franco led revolt against republic in 1936. Had support of right-wing elements in Spain, wealthy businesspeople, high- ranking religious leaders, and Spanish Fascists. Franco promised to defend Spain from communism and socialism. Thousands of loyalists and volunteers from other countries joined the Republican armies to fight against Franco and the Nationalists. Mussolini and Hitler wanted a Nationalist victory in Spain and sent planes, troops, and weapons to Franco. Republican forces didnt receive much aid. Soviet Union was the only country to send aid to Republicans, but they couldnt hold against the Nationalists. March 1939, rebels captured capital city of Madrid. Franco became dictator of Spain. Falangist Party remained in power until Francos death in 1975. Fascist Aggression in Africa
Mussolini wanted to rebuild the Roman
Empire. First step was to invade Ethiopia in October 1935. Ethiopia had few modern weapons to defend. Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia pleaded with League to send help. League asked people to not sell food and war materials to Italy until it withdrew from Ethiopia. Many nations ignored this. Italy took over Ethiopia in May 1936 Nazi Aggression in Europe
Hitler promised to tear up the Treaty of
Versailles. 1935, started actions that violated the terms. Began to draft men into German army Organized air force No one took steps to stop this! Into the Rhineland 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland. Border between France and Germany supposed to be demilitarized. Hitler ordered troops to withdraw if French showed any signs of opposition. French wanted to do something, but Britain wouldnt back them up. Nothing was done and Hitler controlled the area. Into Austria
Hitler annexed Austria in 1938
This added to Germanys size and power. The Anschluss or union of Germany and Austria was prohibited by the Treaty. No country took any action, again. Into Czechoslovakia
Small democratic nation created in
1918 1933, Hitler sent Nazi agents to stir up riots against the Czech government. 1938, Hitler demanded that Sudetenland Germans be given rights to decide to stay with Czechoslovakia or unite with Germany. Threatened to invade. 1938, conference held between Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain of Britain, Premier Edouard Daladier of France, Hitler, and Mussolini. The Munich Conference gave Sudetenland to Germany, and Hitler had to promise to not take over any more territory in Europe. British and French leaders often followed policy giving to dictators in order to avoid a war. This appeasement is what caused World War II. Showed the dictators that democratic nations were weak and frightened to stop them. March 1939, Hitler broke promise and took over Czechoslovakia. Britain and France finally ended appeasement policy and resisted further Nazi aggression.