War in China and alliances between aggressors

when was the war between Japan and China?

1937- 41

what caused the war in China?

an exchange of fire between Chinese and Japanese troops at the Marco Polo Bridge in July 1937 - Japanese used this as an excuse to mount a full invasion, with Manchukuo as a military base

why did Britain, France + the US provide financial assistance to China?

Nanjing(administrative capital) fell to Japan in Nov 1937 and the treatment of their citizens were appalling - up to 250,000 killed and many mutilated

how did the USSR react to the war in China?

saw it as a useful distraction for Japan’s designs in Siberia with the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression pact signed in Aug 1937, volunteering Russian air force to aid China

what was the result of the War in China?

by end of 1937 all China’s major cities had fallen to Japan, but China’s vast territory wasn’t conquered. By 1941 2mil Japanese troops were stationed in China but faced the Kuomintang army + guerrilla fighters leading to stalemate in 1938

who was the Rome-Berlin Axis signed between and when?

Italy ang Germany in October 1936

why was the Rome-berlin axis signed?

After Abyssinia when Italy was isolated from liberal democracies. Germany wanted to secure the Southern border, so both agreed a series of protocols, aligning FP

why was Britain frustrated by the Rome-Berlin axis?

hoped to keep Italy as a counterbalance and the axis created the prospect of a Fascist partnership dominating Europe if both followed Expansionism

who was the Anti-Comintern Pact between and when?

Nov 1936 and Nov 1937, between Japan + Germany

what did the anti-comintern Pact recognised and why did this not concern the Western democracies?

recognised similar interests and ideological opposition to communism - reason why democracies didn’t respond to the threat posed by the aggressors until 1939

when did Italy join the Anti-comintern Pact and why did this concern the USSR?

Nov 1938, as did Spain and several non-fascist states (like Finland + Denmark), concerned USSR as intensified division between West and East Europe

why was Britain, France and the USA forced to consider joining the anti-comintern pact?

because of their ideological allegiances, as Hitler was seen as less of a threat, justifying appeasement, especially for British politicians

when was the pact of Steel and why?

1939, formalise the Rome-Berlin Axis into a full military alliance, named this to emphasise its aggressive nature

what did the pact of steel agree?

Italy + Germany committed to ‘permanent contact’ on international events and support each other

what did Japan not joining the pact of Steel mean?

preoccupied with the War in China so didn’t join, making it European in intentions and could be viewed directly against Britain + France - although neither mentioned in its terms