Axis Aggression Around the World

1931-1939

Manchuria (1931)

1. Northern province of China2. Japanese problem – overpopulation and

lack of natural resources.3. Military take over4. “League of Nations” – impose sanctions

(restrictions) – slap on the wrist5. 1937 Japan invades China proper –

Peking / Shanghai / Nanking- Most famous is the Rape of Nanking- http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_XzRaEAer4

Germany- Hitler Assumes Power (1933)

1. German Economic decline in 1920’s – Hitler and Germans in general resent the Treaty of Versailles

2. Bullying tactics – Jews to blame3. “Brown shirts” – supporters of Hitler4. Took control of the legislature (1933)5. First concentration camps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2YEUhHFMHY

Ethiopia (1935)

1. Mussolini expansionist goals “The Country is Nothing without Conquest”- This means he is a what?

2. Invade the African nation of Ethiopia3. League of Nations branded Italy an aggressor

a. Economic sanctions (minor)b. No embargo on most essential import (Oil)c. Sanctions were very weak

4. Italy not concerned and still annexed Ethiopia

German Remilitarization (1935-36)

1. Violated Treaty of Versaillesa. Reintroducing conscription- compulsory service in the armyb. Remilitarizing the Rhineland (location between France and

Germany)2. No Allied effort to enforce Treaty of Versailles3. Germany’s military strength was still suspect, Allies not overly concerned

Spain 19361. General Francisco Franco – leads

revolt against legal government (legal government was supported by Russia)

2. Franco support from Italy and Germany

3. Spain was to be a testing ground for new weapons

4. Spanish Civil War ends with Franco victory

5. Remain neutral during World War II

China - 1937 1. Japan drives down through mainland

2. Chinese Civil War between Nationalists and Communists

3. 1940 Japan controlled most of eastern China

Austria - 1938

1. Hitler invades and annexes Austria on the grounds that all German-speaking people belonged within one German nation

2. Anschluss union of Germany and Austria violated WW I peace treaty

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t75ldUNc2Xw

Czechoslovakia - 1938Sudetenland1. Region in Czech bordering on Germany – inhabited with

German speaking people2. Sudetens not oppressed by Hitler – stories of atrocities

(propaganda)- Czech. Govt. refused to yield – alliance with Russia, France, and Britain

Munich ConferenceGreat Britain – Neville ChamberlainFrance – Edouard DaladierItaly – MussoliniGermany - Hitler

1. Meeting at Munich Germany2. Allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland3. Hitler – promise not to demand any more

territory4. “Peace in our Time” – Chamberlain5. Concept known as “appeasement”- giving in

to a demand, in order for your enemy to stop doing bad things

Seizure of Czechoslovakia1. Six months later Hitler seized the rest of

Czechoslovakia2. France / Great Britain– now have no trust in Hitler3. F/GB promise protection to the next probable

victim – Poland

Europe Goes to War1. Chamberlain’s Appeasement was a

failure2. Great Britain and France pledge to

protect Poland3. Germany / Soviet Union 10 Year –

Non-Aggression Pact (August, 1939)- Prevents Germany from having to fight war on two fronts

4. Invasion of Poland – Sept 1st, 19395. Kickstarts the Lightning War –

“Blitzkrieg”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ha0qKquG2E

6. France and GB declare war on Germany – September 3rd, 1939

Albania - 1939

1. Annexed by Mussolini2. Italy control of the Adriatic Sea

War in the West1. Quiet period after fall of Poland2. American press call it a “phony

war”3. France fortifies its defenses

“Maginot Line”4. Phony war comes to an end –

April 9, 1940 – attack on Denmark and Norway

5. May 10th blitz of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg

6. Invasion of Northern France – splitting France forces in half – all the way to the English channel

7. Miracle at “Dunkirk”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ni8Nz8j04 8. Fall of France abandoned Paris – June 10,

19409. France surrenders – June 22nd, 1940http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=003iC7VZmYc

Battle of Britain

1. August - September 1940 – Greatest air assault in World War II begins

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCfRxcIDIIs 2. Luftwaffe (German Air Force) vs. Royal Air Force (British

Air Force)3. Rules of War4. Bombing of London (Berlin in retaliation)5. Break Hitler’s code6. Bombings end – 19417. Will of British civilians – helped salvage the war

Two Major Axis Mistakes

1. Germany attacks the Soviet Union in June of 1941

2. Japanese attack U.S. at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7th 1941 “A Day that will live in Infamy”

- Pearl Harbor scene3. U.S. Declares war on Dec. 8th, 1941- Retaliation to Japan- Fear of Germany- http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT8MEXdr6tw