C+T chapter 6 Collapse of the League Flashcards
How many Americans were unemployed during the Great Depression?
15 million
Why were people turning to extremist parties during the Great Depression?
- Hitler offered simple solutions such as “Freedom, Bread and Work”. These were appealing to the starving population
- In dictatorship, the state runs everything, meaning unemployed people were more likely to have better care
- They promised to take land by force, so their people had space, food and resources
- They promised victories in wars abroad to distract people from problems at home, thus restoring national glory
- Hitler blamed Germany’s problems on Jews and the Treaty of Versailles. This encouraged racism and people were more likely to turn against other nations
How did the League cope in the Great Depression?
Hitler and Mussolini were not afraid to use violence and were not scared by moral condemnation. To fight them, the League needed an army. But the countries did not want the expense of war in the Depression. They didn’t want to put economic sanctions either as this would further damage their economies. So the League once again failed to help countries in need.
Where is Manchuria?
A region of China on the north-east coast rich n natural regions. The country was divided and weak as it was split into regions run by local war-lords.
Why was Japan suffering in the 1930s?
Japan was suffering in the Great Depression because most of its exports were silk. Silk is a luxury item and as people cut spending, there was a decline in Japanese industry.
What were Japanese silk sales like in the 1930s?
By 1932, silk was worth 1/5 of its price in the early 1920s and production and employment had fallen by 30% by 1931.
Why did Japan want Manchuria?
Japan was made of small islands without many natural resources. Manchuria was fertile and had many natural resources, so seemed a good place to invade:
- Manchuria was geographically close to Japan
- Japan already had industry there: South Manchurian railway and the Kwantung Army
- History of confusion about who owned it, Russia, Japan and China had all claimed it. Was run by a Chinese warlord whose power was diminishing
- Japan was scared China might kick them out
- Japan and Russia had had a war in 1905, taking the land would upset Russia and distract the Japanese from their domestic problems
Why were the Japanese angry at their government?
Their army had been getting stronger, but after the Washington Arms Conference in 1922, Japanese politicians agreed they should have a smaller navy than Britain or the USA. Japanese Generals no longer trusted their politicians to protect their country. In 1932, they murdered the prime minister and the government became dominated with army generals.
When was the Manchurian warlord murdered?
In 1928, Japanese army generals murdered the Chinese war lord because they thought their government’s policy of friendship with Manchuria was wrong. They wanted to invade and take full control.
When did the Mukden incident occur?
1931-1932
What happened in the Mukden incident?
- 18 September 1931, explosion on Japanese railway in Manchuria. Japanese blamed Chinese soldiers
- Chinese denied involvement
- Kwantung army used the events as an excuse to take over Manchuria
- Japanese people were delighted and celebrated in the streets. Japanese government was no happy but went long with the invasion
- 1932, Japan renamed Manchuria, Manchukuo. Pu Yi, ex Chinese emperor thrown out in 1911, was put in charge as a puppet leader
Why were the League reluctant to act on the Manchurian Crisis?
- League did not want a fight. Many people felt Japan owned Manchuria anyway: China had agreed in treaties, Japan had economic rights in the region
- Manchuria was far away from the League in Geneva, Britain and France thought it too far away to act
- Japan was a powerful member of the League and they claimed China attacked first
- Chinese politics were disorganised and many felt Japan was just trying to introduce order
Why could the League not act in Manchuria?
- Told Japan to withdraw troops but were refused
- League did not have an army and its members could not afford to fight
- League could have issued economic sanctions but Japan could still trade with the USA
What did the League do in Manchuria?
League sent Lord Lytton to lead a commission of inquiry. The Lytton Report was published in October 1932. It stated that Japan was in the wrong.
What did Japan do after the Lytton Report was published?
Japan ignored the League. February 1933, they invaded Jehol , another Chinese region. Japan then invaded the rest of the country in 1937. By 1938, most of China was controlled by the Japanese army.
Where is Abyssinia?
Ethiopia on the north-eastern coast of Africa. In 1935, it was surrounded British and French colonies but Abyssinia was independent.
Why did Mussolini want Abyssinia?
- He promised his people that he would rebuild the Roman Empire.
- Thought the invasion would be easy as Italy already owned colonies bordering Abyssinia: Eritrea and Somaliland
- Rich in natural resources
- In 1896, Italy had tried invading Abyssinia but faced defeat. Mussolini wanted revenge
- He thought the League wouldn’t stop him
- In 1935, Britain, France and Italy signed the Stresa Front against Hitler. Mussolini thought they would do anything to keep him as an ally
How did Mussolini invade Abyssinia?
- December 1934, Italian soldiers clashed in Abyssinians at Wal Wal, the border of Abyssinia and Somaliland. 150 Abyssinians and 2 Italians were killed.
- January 1935, French foreign minister, Laval, met Mussolini and signed the Hoare-Laval Pact, promising to not interfere and gave it land in Chad.
- Despite moral condemnation, Mussolini’s troops entered Abyssinia on 3 October 1935.
- 30 June 1936, Abyssinian emperor addressed the League warning them of the ruin Mussolini’s actions would have
- 5 May 1936, League did nothing when Italian troops took Addis Ababa, the capital
- Italy left the League in 1937
Why did Italy have an advantage over Abyssinia?
Italy was a modern and advanced country with a large army and the latest technology. They bombed tribal villages in Abyssinia and used chemical weapons. The small Abyssinian army only had spears.
Why did the League fail in Abyssinia?
- Didn’t close the Suez Canal which gave Italy easy access to move troops through
- The Hoare Laval Pact was leaked and proved the League could be undermined
- League banned the trade of Italian goods and selling weapons to Italy. However, they didn’t ban coal, steal, iron or oil
- League put trade sanctions on Abyssinia and banned selling weapons to them
Why did the League fail?
- No army
- Trade sanctions did not work because USA was not a member and could still trade
- Plans were too ambitious
- Only met once a year and decisions had to be unanimous
- Structure was complex and they wasn’t enough people to carry out actions
- USA, Germany and the USSR did not join when the League was formed
- Powerful countries were not scared of moral condemnation
- Great Depression meant countries were more concerned with their own problems
- Great Depression led to extremist dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini who were not interested in the League
- League was slow to act in Manchuria
- British and French wanted to keep Mussolini as an ally, so did not stop the Abyssinian invasion
