Topic #4: Drifting Towards World War II

collective security

security achieved because a lot of nations came together

dehumanization

• deprivation of human qualities, rights, or understanding
• EX: Japanese soldiers raping Chinese women/girls as humans and burning them to death (murdering) as pigs

appeasement

• willingly compromising and giving into others' demands to avoid future conflict
• giving into a bully → the bully learns what they did work and will do it again
• what the US, Great Britain, and France did with the Axis Powers
• what happened at the Munich Conference

The League of Nations

• organization of nations formed after WWI (1920) to promote cooperation and peace
• France, a member, was severely weakened by WWI
• Great Britain, a member, desperately wanted to avoid all future wars because it may further weaken their economy
• late 1930s, this would not have been able to effectively halt expansions due to having no USA and no MILITARY
• responded to Japan invading Manchuria in 1931 with protest but no action
• 1933: this continued to censure Japan for their invasion of Manchuria, so Japan voluntarily withdrew from this
• failed to stop Japan's invasion of China: sent fascist Italy message they could invade w/o any opposition
• relied heavily on the concept of collective security
• Oct 1935: Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's leader, requested the urgent aid of this (Mussolini invaded Ethiopia). Selassie said "It is us today. It will be you tomorrow."
• responded to Selassie's request by condemning Italy's attack but did nothing to help Ethiopia militarily
• failed to Italy's invasion of Ethiopia: sent Nazi Germany message Hitler was free to expand w/o opposition if he felt like it too
• Hitler announced that Germany would no longer obey the ToV in Mar 1935, this responded with mild condemnation (criticism) → Germany was free to act on its own goals to create Third Reich
• Hitler ordered 35,000 troops into the Rhineland, he wanted to test his limits with this
• failed to stop Germany from occupying the Rhineland
• failed to stop the early acts of aggression by the Axis Powers: sent message they wouldn't stop other fascist leaders either
• sent Hitler the message he could annex anything when this failed to stop Germany's completion of the 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘴
• Hitler confident in his ability to annex Sudetenland w/o military response from other nations or this

The Nanjing Massacre

• also known as the "Rape of Nanjing"
• shots exchanged along the Manchurian border causing 1 Japanese soldier to die → Japan invaded northern China (Nanjing)
• happened from December 1937 to February 1938
• Japanese soldiers brutalized the population of Nanjing for six weeks
• 100,000 to 200,000 people were executed within six weeks because Japan's army had little food, and they didn't want to waste it on the Chinese (prisoners and civilians)
• Japan broke a rule of war by attacking prisoners and civilians AFTER surrendering too
• soldiers (civilians) were betrayed and killed
• an estimated 20,000 women between the ages of 7-70 were attacked/sexually assaulted/raped; a very low estimate because this is only the women that reported it
• one former Japanese soldier in this said that when they raped the women, they were humans, but when they burned them to death or murdered them, they were pigs
• beginning of WWII in Asia

Haile Selassie

• leader of Ethiopia when Mussolini invaded, seeking revenge → Italy was the only European country defeated by Africans, they were defeated by Emperor Menelik II in the 1800s
• October 1935: Italy invaded, this man urgently requested aid from the League of Nations
• this man told the League of Nations, "It is us today. It will be you tomorrow."
• even with this man's efforts, the League of Nations only condemned Italy's attack, providing Ethiopia with no military help → Great Britain and France (members of the League of Nations) hoped giving into Mussolini would stop war from breaking out → Italian invasion of Ethiopia continued
• May 1936: Italy's army used airplanes, tanks, guns, and poison gas to easily defeat this man's men who were fighting with spears and swords
• May 1936: this man's country, Ethiopia, had no choice by to surrender

The Rhineland

• the Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from stationing troops in this 30 mile buffer zone between France and Germany → a demilitarized zone
• March 7, 1936: 35,000 German troops marched into this, its citizens cheered
• France was unwilling to risk starting a new war when Germany placed troops here
• Great Britain urged appeasement when Germany placed troops here
• Germany occupied this with without military actions, economic sanctions, or other forms of punishment
• the League of Nations failing to stop Germany from occupying this: strengthened Hitler's power and prestige in Germany; left France and Belgium open to surprise attack (Germany more powerful); and encouraged Hitler to build a program of military and territorial expansion (be bolder in future expansion)
• October 1936: after Germany occupied this, Italy saw the Nazis with a newfound respect → Italy and Germany forged the Rome-Berlin Axis [called this because Europe (or the world) would revolve around them and this alliance]

The Axis Powers

• November 1936: Germany forged an alliance agreement with Japan
• Italy, Germany, and Japan united as this

The Neutrality Acts

• the US became increasingly isolationist in the years after WWI, they passed these acts
• banned loans to nations at war
• banned sale of arms (weapons) to nations at war
• Americans not allowed to sail on ships of countries at war → to avoid another Lusitania (British ship with Americans aboard that was sunk by a German submarine) sinking which had caused Americans to want to join WWI

General Francisco Franco

• July 1936: this man led a military coup d'etat against the new weak democratic government, fighting to create a fascist government in Spain (return order, increase national pride)
• Germany and Italy supported this man's army, the Nationalists, providing a variety of supplies and military equipment
• April 1937: his army wanted to use the new technology to force pain and misery on their Republican opponents
• 1939: the Republican Army tried to fend off this man's army but didn't receive as much aid (Stalin helped and some Americans went to Spain and signed up to fight) → this man successfully took over Spain and owed thanks to Italy and Germany

The 𝘓𝘶𝘧𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦

• Germany's air force
• in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles
• aerial raids and bomb attacks by this destroyed the village and killed the civilian population of Guernica, a civilian town in northern Spain
• attack on Guernica by this was a test on Germany's air force

Guernica

• a small village in northern Spain, full of civilians
• subject to aerial raids and bomb attacks by Germany's 𝘓𝘶𝘧𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦 which destroyed it and killed its civilian population
• Germany had their 𝘓𝘶𝘧𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦 attack this so they could test it
• Pablo Picasso made a painting about this, widely regarded as one of the best anti-war pictures in the world

The 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘴

• the unification of Austria and Germany
• prohibited by the Treaty of Versailles
• Nazis wanted more living space to expand and prosper, so they developed a plan to do this
• March 1938: Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles and German troops occupied Austria, once again the citizens welcomed them

The Sudetenland

• the western region of Czechoslovakia (new democratic nation formed in Europe after Austria-Hungary collapsed)
• about 3 million German-speaking people lived here
• the 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘴 inspired the German-speaking population of this to begin calling for unification with Germany
• Hitler was confident in his ability to annex this land without military response from other nations or the League of Nations
• Hitler demanded Czechoslovakia to give Germany control of this
• Czechoslovakia refused to give up this to the Germans and called on France to protect it
• Hitler vowed to invade this by October 1st if the Czechs did not comply with his demands of giving it up
• at the Munich Conference (September 29, 1938) Hitler vowed that this would be his LAST territorial claim
• Great Britain and France agreed: Hitler could take this, and he promised to respect Czechoslovakia's new borders

Neville Chamberlain

• Britain's Prime Minister
• expected to preemptively declare war on Germany for its demand regarding the Sudetenland
• Hitler sent this man a telegram, inviting him to meet with himself, Mussolini, and the French premier → this man accepted and did not declare war
• at the Munich Conference, this man and France agreed that Hitler could take the Sudetenland (believing Hitler's words that it would be his LAST territorial claim, TRUSTING him)
• also at the Munich Conference, this man and German pledged to never again fight against one another
• after the Munich Conference, this man proudly told his country: "I believe it is peace in our time," thinking he had peace (and so did the world) and Hitler got the Sudetenland (spoiler alert: he was so, so wrong… Hitler annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia six months later)

The Munich Conference

• the conference in Munich where Chamberlain (Britain's Prime Minister), Hitler, Mussolini, and the French premier all met
• here, Europe was eager to use appeasement to avoid a military conflict with Germany
• September 29, 1938: Hitler vowed that the Sudetenland would be his last territorial claim here
• Great Britain and France agreed that Hitler could take the Sudetenland here
• Hitler promised to respect Czechoslovakia's new borders here
• Great Britain and Germany agreed to never fight against each other here
• after Chamberlain left this, he told his country "I believe it is peace in our time"
• was the best opportunity and LAST chance to stop World War II from beginning
• trusting Hitler here was stupid!

Czechoslovakia

• when Austria-Hungary collapsed after it fought as a Central Power in WWI and lost, borders shifted and a new democratic nation was established in central Europe: this
• was land-locked, making it vulnerable to attack from every border → signed defensive treaties with France and the Soviet Union
• about 3 million German-speaking people lived in the western region of this called the Sudetenland
• the 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘴 inspired the German-speaking population in the Sudetenland to begin calling for unification with Germany
• Hitler demanded that this give Germany control of the Sudetenland
• this refused to give up the Sudetenland to Germany and called on France to protect it from the Nazis → Hitler vowed to invade the Sudetenland by October 1st if this nation did not comply with his demands
• SIX months after the Munich Conference where Hitler had promised to respect this nation's new borders after taking control of the Sudetenland, he invaded this nation!

Invasion of Poland (1939)

• Hitler wanted to continue gaining more living space for the Third Reich
• Britain and France failed to stand up to Hitler's aggression
• Six months the Munich Conference where Hitler promised to respect Czechoslovakia's new borders, he invaded it!
• Now Hitler's eyes were set on Poland and he made plans to annex it
• beginning of WWII in Europe

What two factors pushed nations into not helping each other as Japan, Italy, and Germany expanded?

• their shared horrific memories of WWI, they did not want another war like it
• 1929, the Great Depression hit the US, affecting trade all around the world. People were laid off as not enough products were being bought, as well as the economic hardships.

Although France was a member of the League of Nations, what was it severely weakened by?

It was severely weakened by World War I.

Great Britain was another member of the League of Nations, but it desperately wanted to avoid all future wars. Why?

Because it feared further weakening its weak economy.

By the late 1930s, the League of Nations would not have been able to effectively halt expansion due to what two reasons?

1. USA was not a part of it
2. It did not have it's own military, instead it heavily relied on collective security

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria and established a puppet government there. What was the League of Nation's response?

They simply protested the invasion.

The League of Nations was still censuring Japan for their invasion of Manchuria in 1933. As a result, what did Japan do?

Japan voluntarily withdrew from the League of Nations, but remained in Manchuria.

On July 7, 1937, shots were exchanged along the Manchurian border. What were their results?

A Japanese soldier died.

What did Japan use the Manchurian border incident to do?

They used it as an excuse to invade northern China, the "Rape of Nanjing."

Also in July of 1937, what did the President of China, Chiang Kai-Shek receive?

He received weapons to use against the Japanese invasion.

What did Chaing Kai-Shek and the KMT do with the weapons they received?

They stashed the weapons for later use against the CCP and Mao rather than use against the Japanese (this practice continued until 1945).

Unlike Chiang and the KMT who only protected the cities when the Japanese invaded, what did Mao Tse-tung and the CCP do?

They tried to protect the peasantry from Japanese attacks (this practice continued until 1945). Mao and his soldiers were the ones pulling Japanese soldiers off women and girls, they were the ones keeping the Japanese soldiers away from prisoners.

From December 1937 to February 1938, what did the Japanese do in the city of Nanjing?

Japanese soldiers brutalized the population of Nanjing for six weeks, even after they had surrendered. 100,000 to 200,000 people were executed in Nanjing within six weeks. Around 20,000 women between the ages of 7 to 70 were attacked/sexually assaulted/raped within the six weeks. It is important to note that this is a very low estimate, as it is only the ones who reported the rapes.

What message did the League of Nations send fascist Italy when it failed to stop Japan's invasion if China?

Italy could invade whoever they wanted without any opposition from the League of Nations (inspired European fascists that they could do the same thing as Japan).

Who did Mussolini resent for having colonies in Africa?

France and Great Britain

What did Mussolini promise to do?

He promised to build an empire for the glorification of Italy.

In October of 1935, Mussolini ordered the invasion of Ethiopia. Out of all locations in Africa, why did Mussolini pick Ethiopia?

For revenge. Italy was the only European country defeated by Africans. It was Emperor Menelik II who defeated the Italians in the 1800s.

What concept did the League of Nations rely heavily on?

collective security: security achieved because a lot of nations come together

Who was Ethiopia's leader at the time of Italy's invasion and what did he do?

Haile Selassie was the leader of Ethiopia and he urgently requested the League of Nations for aid, saying "It is us today. It will be you tomorrow."

What was the League of Nations response to Italy's invasion of Ethiopia?

They condemned (criticized) Italy's attack but did not provide any military help.

What did Great Britain and France hope giving into Mussolini would stop?

That it would stop war from breaking out.

As a result of the League of Nations not doing much and Britain and France being scared, what happened in Ethiopia?

The Italian invasion of Ethiopia continued.

What sorts of weapons did Italy use against the Ethiopians' spears and swords?

• airplanes
• tanks
• guns
• poison gas

As a result of the sheer advantage of Italy's weapons, what did Ethiopians have to do in May of 1936 after fighting long and hard?

They had no choice but to surrender.

What message did the League of Nations send Nazi Germany when it failed to stop Italy's invasion of Ethiopia?

Hitler was free to expand as well, whenever he felt like it, he could.

In March of 1935, what important announcement did Hitler make?

He announced that Germany would no longer obey the Treaty of Versailles.

What was the League of Nations' response to Hitler declaring that Germany would no longer obey the Treaty of Versailles?

mild condemnation (criticism)

What was the result of the League of Nations' bleak response to Hitler announcing that Germany would no longer obey the Treaty of Versailles?

Germany was free to act on its own goals to create the Third Reich.

In 1919, what did the victorious Allied Powers do to limit Germany's ability to invade France in the future?

The Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from stationing troops in the Rhineland, a 30 mile buffer zone between France and Germany.

On March 7th 1936, Hitler wanted to build an empire, overturn the Treaty of Versailles, and test his limits with the League of Nations. What did he do?

He ordered 35,000 troops to march into the Rhineland to occupy or control it.

What was the response of the Rhineland citizens when 35,000 German troops marched into the Rhineland?

They cheered and greeted the troops.

What was France's response to Germany sending 35,000 troops into the Rhineland?

They were unwilling to start a new war, so they did nothing.

What was Great Britain's response to Germany sending 35,000 troops into the Rhineland?

They urged appeasement.

What was the result of France's and Great Britain's weak response to Germany sending 35,000 troops into the Rhineland?

Germany occupied the Rhineland without military action, economic sanctions, or any other forms of punishment.

The League of Nations failed to stop Germany from occupying the Rhineland. What are three reasons why this failure is historically significant?

1. Hitler's power and prestige in Germany were strengthened
2. France and Belgium were now open to surprise attack, making Germany more powerful
3. Hitler was encouraged to build a program of military and territorial expansion, making him even bolder future expansion

In October of 1936, after the occupation of the Rhineland, who viewed the Nazis with a newfound respect?

Italy

As a result of their newfound respect what did Italy and Germany forge, and why is it called this?

Italy and Germany forged the Rome-Berlin Axis and it was called this because they thought Europe (or the world) would revolve around them and this alliance.

In November of 1936, who did Germany forge another alliance agreement with?

Japan

What were Italy, Germany, and Japan united as?

They were united as the Axis Powers.

What was the result of the Great Depression (1929) hitting the US before spilling over into Europe, prior to the expansionist moves of the Axis Powers?

The US and Europe's democracies considered healing their own economic troubles more important than aiding Ethiopia or China.

Why were the collective memories of World War I experiences being fresh in the minds of European and Americans important?

The Nations were eager to avoid war, not fight new ones.

Why is the US, Great Britain, and France hoping to avoid confrontation with the Axis Powers important?

The Nations willingly compromised and gave into the other's demands to avoid future conflict (APPEASEMENT)

The US was increasingly isolationist in the years after World War I. Franklin D, Roosevelt passed the Neutrality Acts. What did they do?

They banned loaning money to nations at war. They banned the sale of arms or weapons to nations at war. Americans were not allowed to sail on ships of countries at war (wanted to avoid another Lusitania → made Americans want to fight in WWI).

What message did the League of Nations send to other aspiring fascist leaders when it failed to stop early acts of aggression by the Axis Powers?

It sent aspiring fastest leaders in Europe the message that the League of Nations wouldn't stop them from acts of aggression as well.

What happened from 1931 to 1936 in Spain?

Spain's monarchy collapsed, creating a national political vacuum. A new democratic government tried to rule but a series of crises exposed its weakness.

What happened in July of 1936 in Spain?

General Francisco Franco led a military coup d'etat against the new government. He fought to create a fascist government in Spain, restore order in Spain, and raise national pride.

Who supported Franco's Army, the nationalists, in the Spanish Civil War in 1936?

Germany and Italy, by providing a variety of supplies and military equipment.

By April of 1937, the Nationalist Army wanted to use new technology to force pain and misery on the Republican opponents. What did they do?

The 𝘓𝘶𝘧𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦 conducted aerial raids and bomb attacks on the small village of Guernica, destroying it and killing its CIVILIAN population.

Why did Germany use their 𝘓𝘶𝘧𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦 in Guernica?

So they could test their airforce.

By 1939, the Republican Army tried to fend off the fascist Nationalists, but didn't receive as much aid as the fascists did. Of the little aid that they received who gave it?

• Stalin helped people fighting against Franco
• some Americans went to Spain and signed up to fight against Franco

In the end, in 1939, who won the Spanish Civil War?

General Francisco Franco successfully took over Spain, owing his victory to Italy and Germany.

By November 5th 1937, Germany was seeking more living space to expand and prosper. What two nations did the Nazis develop plans to annex before pushing into Eastern Europe?

Austria and Czechoslovakia

What were some personal reasons why Hitler wanted to annex Austria?

It was his original homeland, he was born there.

How many people lived in Austria and advocated for the unification of Austria and Germany?

6 million people

What country's annexation did Hitler's plan call for first and foremost?

Austria

What did the Treaty of Versailles prohibit Germany from doing with Austria?

The 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘴: unification of Germany and Austria

In March of 1938, German troops occupied Austria. Was it easy?

Yes, annexing Austria was easy due to the popular support and lack of forced response from Europe.

What message did the League of Nations send Hitler when it failed to stop Germany's completion of the 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘴?

Hitler could annex anything he wanted without any opposition from the League of Nations.

What was a major difference between how anti-Semitism developed in Germany and Austria?

• in Austria the change was immediate, in under 24 hours people were chanting "Jews perish in your filth"
• the very next morning after German troops occupied Austria, Jewish people were forced to clean the streets and were kicked and ridiculed while doing so
• all anti-Jewish laws/policies were put in place in annexed areas as well

Why is the year 1919 important to the Munich Conference?

It is the year Austria-Hungary collapsed after it fought as a Central Power in World War I and lost. As the border shifted a new democratic nation was established in Central Europe: Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia was land-locked making it vulnerable to attack from every border For protection, Czechoslovakia signed defense treaties with France and the Soviet Union.

About how many million German-speaking people lived in the western area of Czechoslovakia, an area known as the Sudetenland?

about 3 million people

What inspired the German-speaking population in the Sudetenland to begin calling for unification with Germany?

the 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘴 inspired them

In September of 1938, what was Hitler confident in his ability of?

Hitler was confident of his ability to annex the Sudetenland without military response from other nations or the League of Nations.

In September of 1938, what did Hitler demand Czechoslovakia give Germany control of?

Hitler demanded Czechoslovakia give Germany control of the Sudetenland.

Did Czechoslovakia give Germany control of the Sudetenland?

No, it refused to and instead called on France to protect it from the Nazis.

What did Hitler vow to do by October 1st if the Czechs did not comply with his demands to give Germany control of the Sudetenland?

Hitler vowed to invade the Sudetenland by October 1st.

What did the world expect Britain's Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, to do on September 28th 1938?

To preemptively declare war on Germany

Hitler sent Chamberlain a telegram inviting him to meet with who? And did Chamberlain accept?

Hitler invited Chamberlain to meet with himself, Mussolini, and the French Premier and Chamberlain accepted the invitation, not declaring war.

On September 29th 1938, at the Munich Conference what did Hitler vow would be his LAST territorial claim?

Hitler vowed that the Sudetenland would be his last territorial claim.

At the Munich Conference what was Europe eager to do?

Europe was eager to use appeasement to avoid a military conflict with Germany.

What did Britain and France agree on at the Munich Conference?

That Hitler could take the Sudetenland.

What did Hitler promise Czechoslovakia at the Munich Conference?

Hitler promised to respect Czechoslovakia's new borders.

What did Great Britain and Germany pledge at the Munich Conference?

Great Britain and Germany pledged to never again fight against one another.

What did Chamberlain obliviously say after returning to Great Britain from the Munich Conference?

He told his nation "I believe it is peace in our time." Thinking he had peace (so did the world) and Hitler would just be satisfied with the Sudetenland.

In February of 1939 (six months after the Munich Conference), Hitler wanted to continue gaining more living space for the Third Reich. What did he do?

He annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia.

After Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia who failed to stand up to Hitler's aggression?

Great Britain and France

What did Germany's new plans for expansion include? (after the annexation of Czechoslovakia)

the annexation of Poland

What was the overall historical significance of the Munich Conference in the history of World War II?

It was the best opportunity and last chance to stop World War II from beginning. Trusting Hitler at this conference was a stupid mistake.

Union of Japan, Italy, and Germany in which all three nations joined together to achieve common goals. (From Fast Review of Key Facts)

Axis Powers

During the 1920s and 1930s, many considered this country to be a "wild card." It was experiencing modernization and industrialization, but few believed that it would remain isolationist for so long. (From Fast Review of Key Facts)

the Soviet Union or USSR

He has gained historical notoriety for proudly proclaiming, "I believe it is peace in our time," after his 1939 meeting with Hitler. (From Fast Review of Key Facts)

Neville Chamberlain

The first territory invaded by Italian forces in 1935. (From Fast Review of Key Facts)

Ethiopia

Laws passed to make sure that the USA didn't grant loans or sell weapons to nations at war. (From Fast Review of Key Facts)

The Neutrality Acts