Rewinding a bit and understanding the beginning -46.d: explain the aggression and conflict leading to World War II in Europe and Asia; include: the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the Spanish Civil War, the Rape of Nanjing in China, and the German violation of the Treaty of Versailles 1. Why did the invasion of Ethiopia begin to prove the League was weak? 2. What parts of The Treaty of Versailles did the German’s and Italians break during the Spanish Civil war? 3. How does the Rape of Nanjing show the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations? 4. What 3 things did the Nazi party and Hitler seek to do to rebuild Germany? 5. What is Appeasement? 6. What finally begins the war and what war tactic did the Germans use? ITALIAN INVASION OF ETHIOPIA Italy tried once before to control Ethiopia in the 1890’s They were unsuccessful but a border dispute in 1935 gave Mussolini the excuse to invade Italy conquers Ethiopia Showing the League of Nations Weakness Why would Italy’s Invasion prove that the League of Nations is too weak to stop the Axis Aggressors? Why did the Invasion begin to prove the League was weak? Playing it Safe No Real Power • The League was notorious for playing it safe. • They often avoided conflict and avoided being offensive • Member countries also had trouble giving up their autonomy when negotiating deals between nations • The League had no real power politically or militarily • The only power they could enact was sanctioning Italy did not take them seriously • Numerous attempts to arbitrate between the two powers were made. All failed. • After multiple Ethiopian Complaints. The League Attempted to Sanction Italy but may of the member nations failed to substantially support these sanctions. • • Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia displeased the Brits who had a stake in East Africa. They also did not like the lack of support from The League’s members and felt that they gave in to the Imperialist Government of Italy. French and British displeasure with leagues inabilities • A further divide is now seen between the Western Democracies and the Fascist states. • This leads to tensions between European nations and the possibility of war becoming more probable. Italian Invasion of Ehtiopia Divide between Fascist States and Western Democracies EUROPEAN TENSIONS a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition Corrupt Governments Cultural Differences History of violence Extra Facts Separatism Spain is made up of Multiple Different Regions with different languages, religions, and customs. Over the years rivalries formed over differences between these regions and those rivalries would often turn violent. History of Violence From 1803-1936 Spain had a total of 19 coups. 3 civil wars were fought during 1833 and 1876 As a result of this Spain’s government constantly changed and with each change more and more issues were caused. Corrupt Governments Spain repeatedly switched between systems of government. Spanish separatism is still seen today with the Catalan independence movement These governments would undue the accomplishments of the previous and further prolong the economic and For example in a period of 3 years between 1873-1876 Spain changed its government from a Republic to a monarchy then to a dictatorship and back to a republic. The Nationalists/ Francoists 1. Supported by fascists, the Union Militar Espanola, Italy, and Germany The Republicans Led By President Manuel Azana Supported by Anarchists, Leftists, and the USSR Side Note: When Germany agreed to help Franco it was by lending their air force. This was a violation of their treaty agreements in the Treaty of Versailles 1936-Military uprising in Morrocco. Rebels take Andalusia but fail to take Madrid 1937- British and French took position of Nonintervention. But Britain unofficially allows gives Franco intel 28 March 1939-Franco enters Madrid and the country surrenders shortly after. Franco is made dicatator and holds position until his death in 1975 October 1937- Hitler Provides Air support and Mussolini provides ground troops. Which violates the sanctions in the Treaty of Versailles May 1938- Franco fights to the coast and cuts the Republican forces in half This is Picasso’s Famous Painting La Guerneca Picasso’s painted it in black in order to not distract the viewer from the message It was commissioned by the Republican Government of Spain as anti-fascist proapaganda It depicts the pain and suffering of civilians during the bombing raids by the Germans in Franco’s name It was taken by Nazi’s when they invaded France from Picasso who was in Exile. When asked by the Nazi soldier if he did the work Picasso looked at him and said “No, you did” How does this painting illustrate the future pain and suffering the Fascist Nazi government and its supporters will inflict on Europe in the years to come JAPAN’S ATROCITIES AND AGGRESSIONS 1937- Japanese army continues to advance through China. As they reach the Capitol of Nanking the Chinese Government retreats to inland China and left the city defended by auxiliary troops. 12-13-1937:Once General Matsui Iwane’s army reaches Nanking they begin to destroy the city under his orders. A safety zone was created by western Christian missionaries but was dismantled in January of 1938. 12-13-1937 through Approximately February of 1938: Killing of Chinese citizens continued. Atrocities such as rape, murder, and torture occurred through this time. 200k -300k Murdered League of Nations did very Little Puppet Government • Mass Murders, Rapes, Bombings, looting, and torture were documented in photos by Japanese military and others who were there. • Had already established sanctions but they were not effective • A puppet government was established in Nanjing until the end of the war General Matsui was eventually found Guilty of all the atrocities committed in Nanjing and was executed GERMANY AND THE TREATY So long as this Treaty stands there can be no resurrection of the German people; no social reform of any kind is possible! The Treaty was made in order to bring 20 million Germans to their deaths and to ruin the German nation. But those who made the Treaty cannot set it aside. As its foundation our Movement formulated three demands: 1. Setting aside of the Peace Treaty. 2. Unification of all Germans. 3. Land and soil [Ground und Boden] to feed our nation. -Adolf Hitler What does Hitler think about the Treaty of Versailles? According to Hitler, what is the Nazi Party demanding? According to Treaty Germany must keep their army to certain numbers • Hitler’s Germany instead began to build up their military, air force, and navy. According to the Treaty the Rhineland was supposed to act as demilitarized buffer zone • Germany disobeyed these orders by remilitarizing the Rhineland They justified this by claiming the ruling French mistreated the German people in the Rhineland • The Locarno pact which kept Germany out of the Rhine and kept allowed them in the League of Nations was broken. ANSCHLUSS OF AUSTRIA The Germans and Austrians shared many cultural similarities in language, religion and so on. Hitler set his eyes on unifying the two peoples. He first attempted a coup in 1934 but failed. But something of a blessing came to Hitler. The government that took over Austria after that coup stunk and was super oppressive. ANSCHLUSS OF AUSTRIA This is how Hitler rose to power in Austria Hitler realized that the new oppressive Austrian government was the perfect opportunity for him to take over since the people were clearly unhappy So on February 1938 Hitler decides to invite the Austrian Chancellor to a meeting. He forced the Austrian Chancellor the hand over Austria to the Third Reich. Hitler was successful and Austria was forced to give up. The Chancellor asked the Austrian army to stand down and the German military along with Hitler walked right in or did they? Germany didn’t find it too easy to take over Austria Since the President of Austria (different from the Chancellor) rejected the New Nazi Chancellor. Germany invades and most of the Austrian people accepted the new government. The enthusiasm from the people gave Hitler the path to annex the country. Nazi Minister Goring asked for the New Nazi Chancellor to ask for Military aid which he refused. Goring then used a spy to send the note to Hitler and therefore provide the legal means for Germany to Invade. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited an alliance between Austria and Germany. Therefore this was another violation of the Treaty. A Remnant • A remnant of German people were left out of Germany’s border with the Czechs. • Known as the Sudetenland, it carried a large population of people who identified as German Hitler’s speeches • Hitler started to propose plans to his officials on how to take over the Sudetenland. • Code named Case Green, the mission to take over the Sudeten lands considered the political and military ramifications of an invasion. The Munich Pact/Conference • The western powers were concerned about Hitler’s desires to invade the Sudetenland so they called a meeting between France, Britain, Germany, and Italy. The Czechs were not invited. • The Pact called for Germany to only take over the Sudetenland as long as they promised not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia. Hitler Annexes the Sudetenland. The Sudetenland is rich and resources and in fact held more than 50% of the natural resources the Czech’s owned. This Allowed the German war machine to then fuel their advance into Czechoslovakia On March 15th 1939- Hitler then goes to the Czech president and threatens to bomb Prague if he doesn’t give free passage in to Czechoslovakia to the German Army. Hitler began to try to fracture and separate the Czech. He supported the Slovakian independence movement and pushed German ideals on the Czechs That same Day, Hitler Invades Czechoslovakia and annexes the country The League was Created to prevent war. But the League religiously avoided conflict when necessary and appeased to the Axis powers rather than make hard stances. With what other countries did the League fail and how did it fail in stopping war aggressors? Hitler began to speak about Lebensraum (living space). He wanted the Aryans who he thought were racially superior to have living space (land and Soil). He looked to take back the Lands taken away by the Treaty of Versailles. Poland was one of those Lands. Germany Planned to invade Poland but needed to get Russia out of the way. So Germany made a non-aggression pact with Russia in order to avoid war with them! They would split Poland Between them. The Germans wanted this invasion to also be accepted by the western powers They enact the policy of war that would be seen in their Invasion phase of the war. Blitzkrieg tactics were now being seen in Poland. They staged an invasion by dressing up Nazi’s as polish troops. They claimed the Polish attacked them and thus gave them justification for the Invasion. The British governments warned Germany to stop and if it didn’t it would face war At 11 P.M. on September 3rd 1939 Britain declares war on Germany. At 5 P.M. France declares war on Germany