Spanish American War + Japanese Expansion

Spanish Civil War

A civil war (1936–1939) between Republicans and Nationalists; ended with Franco’s fascist victory.

Causes of the Spanish Civil War

Deep political division, economic crisis, and military rebellion against the elected Spanish Republic.

Franco

Nationalist leader who won the Spanish Civil War and ruled Spain as a fascist dictator until 1975.

Republicans

Supported the Spanish Republic; included liberals, socialists, and communists fighting against Franco.

Blitzkrieg

German 'lightning war' tactic using fast, overwhelming attacks combining air and ground forces.

Guernica

Spanish town bombed by German planes in 1937; symbolized civilian suffering and Nazi involvement.

International Brigades

Volunteers from around the world who fought for the Republicans against Franco’s forces.

Japanese Expansion

Japan expanded aggressively in Asia to gain resources and power, leading to major conflicts.

Meiji Constitution

1889 constitution giving the emperor supreme power and supporting military expansion.

Special Mission

Japan’s belief it had a duty to lead Asia and free it from Western control through conquest.

Ultranationalist

Japanese extremists who supported imperial expansion, militarism, and emperor worship.

Shidehara Diplomacy

Japan’s peaceful foreign policy in the 1920s that emphasized diplomacy and cooperation.

Zaibatsu

Powerful industrial families in Japan that influenced the economy and supported military expansion.

First Sino-Japanese War

War between Japan and China (1894–1895) over Korea; Japan won Taiwan and more influence.

Kwantung Army

Japanese army unit in Manchuria that acted independently and led aggressive actions in China.

Manchukuo

Puppet state created by Japan in Manchuria in 1932 after the invasion, with little international support.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident

A clash near Beijing in 1937 that sparked full-scale war between Japan and China.

Second Sino-Japanese War

A brutal conflict (1937–1945) between Japan and China, starting with the Marco Polo Bridge.

Nanjing Massacre

Japanese troops killed and raped thousands of Chinese civilians in Nanjing in 1937.

Tripartite Pact

Alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan in 1940, creating the Axis Powers.

Oil Embargo

The U.S. cut off oil exports to Japan in 1941 to protest its aggression in Asia, worsening tensions.

Pearl Harbor

Japan attacked the U.S. naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, bringing the U.S. into WWII.

Hirohito

Emperor of Japan during WWII; seen as a divine figure and symbol of Japan’s militaristic expansion.