Aggressors on the Aggressors on the MarchMarch

1931 – Japan Invades 1931 – Japan Invades ManchuriaManchuria

March 9, 1935March 9, 1935

Hitler announces the creation of a Hitler announces the creation of a new Air Force and begins a military new Air Force and begins a military draftdraft

Army is expanded from 100,000 to Army is expanded from 100,000 to 500,000500,000

European nations grumble, but are European nations grumble, but are distracted by own problemsdistracted by own problems

March 7, 1935March 7, 1935

German troops occupy the Rhineland German troops occupy the Rhineland “demilitarized zone”“demilitarized zone”

Great Britain and France respond Great Britain and France respond with a policy of “Appeasement” – with a policy of “Appeasement” – satisfy Hitler’s demand and he will be satisfy Hitler’s demand and he will be content = stability & peace will be content = stability & peace will be maintainedmaintained

Invasion of RhinelandInvasion of Rhineland

AppeasementAppeasement

Britain & France allow Hitler to speed Britain & France allow Hitler to speed up military & territorial expansionup military & territorial expansion

France & Belgium France & Belgium

open to attackopen to attack Strengthens Hitler’sStrengthens Hitler’s

power and prestigepower and prestige

October 1935October 1935

With Hitler’s support, Fascist Italian With Hitler’s support, Fascist Italian dictator invades Ethiopiadictator invades Ethiopia

1936 – The Spanish Civil 1936 – The Spanish Civil WarWar

Hitler and Mussolini assist Francisco Hitler and Mussolini assist Francisco Franco in becoming dictator of SpainFranco in becoming dictator of Spain

Pablo Picasso’s Guernica -Pablo Picasso’s Guernica -19371937

October 1936: Rome Berlin October 1936: Rome Berlin AxisAxis

Hitler and Mussolini form a political Hitler and Mussolini form a political and economic pactand economic pact

November 1936November 1936 Anti-Comintern Pact Anti-Comintern Pact

Germany & Japan agree to a Germany & Japan agree to a common front against communismcommon front against communism

Green 1933Green 1933Orange 1941Orange 1941

1938 – Germany & Austria 1938 – Germany & Austria denounce the Treaty of denounce the Treaty of

VersaillesVersailles

Britain and France do nothing…Britain and France do nothing…

March 13, 1938March 13, 1938

Hitler annexes Austria – Hitler annexes Austria –

“ “Anchluss” = UnionAnchluss” = Union

September 13, 1938September 13, 1938

Hitler demands the Sudetenland Hitler demands the Sudetenland (German speaking NW (German speaking NW Czechoslovakia)Czechoslovakia)

The Munich Conference – The Munich Conference – September 1938September 1938

Britain, France, Italy, & Germany Britain, France, Italy, & Germany meet in Munich. Britain’s Neville meet in Munich. Britain’s Neville Chamberlain caves to Hitler’s Chamberlain caves to Hitler’s demands allowing Hitler’s troops of demands allowing Hitler’s troops of occupy area – peak of occupy area – peak of “Appeasement”“Appeasement”

Hitler promises no more demandsHitler promises no more demands

March 1939 - March 1939 - CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia

Hitler invades the rest of Hitler invades the rest of CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia

Demands the Port of Danzig in Demands the Port of Danzig in PolandPoland

Hitler Demands Port of Hitler Demands Port of DanzigDanzig

August 23,1939 Nazi-Soviet August 23,1939 Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression PactNonaggression Pact

Hitler wants to invade Poland so Hitler wants to invade Poland so offers Stalin control of eastern Poland offers Stalin control of eastern Poland and the Baltic states in exchange to and the Baltic states in exchange to not to attack each other – not to attack each other –

September 1, 1939 Hitler invades September 1, 1939 Hitler invades PolandPoland

Two days later Britain & France Two days later Britain & France declare war on Germanydeclare war on Germany

BlitzkriegBlitzkrieg

Invasion of PolandInvasion of Poland

Western DemocraciesWestern Democracies

Fail to stop aggressionFail to stop aggression U.S. – Policy of ISOLATIONISM: avoid U.S. – Policy of ISOLATIONISM: avoid

political ties in Europe!political ties in Europe! 1935 – U.S. Congress passes 1935 – U.S. Congress passes

Neutrality Acts banning loans & arms Neutrality Acts banning loans & arms sales to nations at warsales to nations at war