The Treaty of Versailles (WWI) left the defeated nations feeling bitter
Felt shut out of economic growth
Envious of British/French colonies, raw
materials and trade
Problems with T.O.V.
Too harsh – occupy Germany (w/ troops)
-Disarm (no subs, navy/air force, army =
100,000 men)
-Reparations (pay war debt – 33 billion marcs)
-Lose colonies in Europe & throughout world
-War Guilt Clause: Had to accept blame for
entire war
Weimar Republic (set up by Allied Powers)
accepts terms Treaty – Blame
- Democracy seen as burden of the
Allies
Leads to widespread unemployment,
inflation, starvation and desperation
______
1. Nationalism = extreme loyalty/pride for nation
- Nations are wounded by the T.O.V. and want
to prove their greatness
2. Alliances = partnerships between nations
3. Rise of Dictators = leaders who abuse their
power
4. Imperialism = all seeking more land
- Germany/Italy/Japan all want territory
- Believe they are at a disadvantage in world
market
-More land = more power + more money
5. Militarism = build of military/arms
6. Appeasement/L.O.N. = other nations do not
stop war-like acts for fear of war
7. Depression = all nations face severe economic
depression
______
AGGRESSION:
war-like acts by one country against another without just cause
* League of Nations does little to stop aggression
- preoccupied/worried about own nations
- need to help own nations with depression
JAPAN:
Manchuria -> 1931: part of China (warlords fighting for dominance)
- want Manchuria b/c rich in natural
resources
- could increase control & strength in East
Asia: move on to conquer all of Northern
China then expand elsewhere
League of Nations only condemns Japan, U.S. doesn’t recognize conquest
China -> 1932: invaded near Shanghai but withdraw
- start campaign against Chinese commerce:
fighting breaks out 7/7/37; undeclared war
spreads quickly
Little aid & sympathy to China, most nations continue sell war supplies to Japan
______
ITALY:
Ethiopia -> 1935:
- Mussolini promises build new Roman Empire
- Invades Ethiopia (N. Africa)
- Use modern technology (tanks, airplanes,
poison gas) = slaughter poorly armed soldiers
League of Nations orders economic sanctions against Italy, but withdraw b/c of depressions
Spain -> 1936:
- Spanish Civil War
– Hitler/Mussolini aid Franco (Fascist)
-- Stalin helps loyalists (Republic)
-1939: Franco wins, sets up dictatorship
______
GERMANY:
Rhineland -> 1936:
- Hitler sends troops into demilitarized zone
-German soldiers at French border
League of Nations does not respond; France wants to send in troops to back them into Germany but fear TOTAL WAR
Austria -> 1938
-Hitler wants to unite Germany/Austria
(Claims they speak German therefore really
part of Germany)
- Supports revolutionary Nazi Movement
- Sends in troops 1938
No response from League of Nations
Czechoslovakia
- Sudeten Germans live in Czech.
- Hitler says should be under his command
-Czechs prepare to fight
French & Russians vow to stand by
T.O.V. alliances/allegiances to protect
new nations
-Leads to Munich Conference: Chamberlain, Daladier meet with Hitler, Mussolini in Munich
- Britain and France want to avoid conflict
- Policy of Appeasement:will allow Italy/Germany to keep the lands they have already taken but must agree that won’t demand any more land
Poland -> 1939: “Last claim”
- Orders Poland give up all vital territories
- Occupies rest of Czechoslovakia
- Seizes Memel from Lithuania
- Italy occupies Albania
Chamberlain says will aid Poland if they resist attack
-Spring 1939, Germany plans to attack Poland
in September
British/French ask Russians to help support Poles – Russia says it will stay neutral
- Russia (Stalin) already in secret talks with
Hitler called a non-aggression pact and
agree to divide Poland after conquest
- September 1, 1939 Hitler invades Poland (believing British and French won’t really support the Poles)
British/French ask Germans to withdraw: WON’T
DECLARE WAR ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1939
______
Where is U.S. throughout Agression?
- October