Global Depression and Rising Tensions. Japan in Trouble Island nation dependent upon imports for many raw materials Makes it beholden to the whims of.

THE BUILD-UP TO WAR

Global Depression and Rising Tensions

Japan in Trouble

Island nation dependent upon imports for many raw materialsMakes it beholden to the whims of other

countries Saw conquest as the surest means of

securing materialsChina and Southeast Asia

Japanese Aggression Military spending ramped up

Helped ease depression in JapanAllowed for Japan’s expansion into Asian

mainland Took Manchuria in September 1931

Clear violation of the Open Door policy and covenant of the League of Nations

Established puppet government League of Nations passed a resolution,

effectively did nothingIllustrated weakness of LoN, made it powerless

Italy

Benito Mussolini took power in 1922

Fascist dictatorFascism – the idea that people should

glorify their nation and race through an aggressive show of force

From Italian word fascio, or bundle of rods, the symbol is meant to show strength in unity

Spain

Spanish Civil WarFrancisco Franco led fascist

movement in SpainThough the US sided with opposition

Loyalist forces, the Neutrality Acts prevented interference

Franco established military dictatorship in 1939

Germany

As a reaction to deplorable economic conditions and resentment over Treaty of Versailles, Nazi party is born

Adolf Hitler gains control over German legislature in 1933

Charts course towards militarism and oppressive anti-Semitism

Italy invades Ethiopia

Looking to prove fascism’s power, Mussolini invades Ethiopia (1935)

League of Nations protests, but does nothing to stop Italy

Germany on the Move

1936 – Hitler invades the Rhineland, demilitarized by the Treaty of Versailles

1938 – SudetenlandGerman-speaking portion of

Czechoslovakia, Hitler felt he had the right to take it over

Munich Conference In 1938 Russia, Germany, Britain, France, and Italy met

in Munich to decide what action, if any, to take concerning Germany’s aggression in Czechoslovakia. This conference came to be known as the Munich Conference. While there, the allies decided to enact a policy of appeasement, wherein they would allow Germany to erase the boundaries of the Versailles Treaty without taking military action. However, it was also agreed that the sovereignty of Poland would be protected, and thus a line was drawn that Germany would not be allowed to cross without risking full scale war.

“Munich” becomes synonymous with “capitulation”

What about America?