Causes of the second World War Flashcards
LONG TERM CAUSES
- Discontent over Treaty of Versailles
- Increasing Nationalism and Militarism
- Worldwide Economic Depression
- Rise of Totalitarian Governments
How It Caused Second World War
Discontent over Treaty and terms led to increased nationalism and resentment
Failure of League to uphold the Treaties meant that they were worthless
Failure to achieve lasting disarmament agreements also caused problems – continued to build
Many sought solutions outside the League – Treaty of Rappollo, Disarmament Reductions
Aggressor nations (Japan, Italy, Germany) dissatisfied and sought removal of Treaty
SHORT TERM CAUSES
Expansion of Japan, Italy and Germany
Weakness of the League of Nations
Failure of appeasement and US isolationism
Formation of Alliances and Agreements
Germany’s Invasion of Poland
JAPANESE EXPANSION reasons
Reasons For
Decline of China’s power and influence
Creation of Asia for Asians (Great Co-Prosperity Sphere) – remove foreigners
Impact of the Great Depression onJapan
Rising population and need of farmland (population)
Lack of resources and increasing industrialization
Expansion of military and military power (influence over government/constitution)
Increasing Nationalism (success in wars, Emperor, culture, never conquered)
JAPANESE EXPANSION territories
B. Territories Pre 1931
Taiwan (Sino-Japanese War of 1895)
Korea (Russo-Japanese War of 1905) - 1910
Manchuria – 1931
Source of raw materials – iron and coal in particular
Also large territory region where Japanese farmers could be relocated
Already involved in the region economically – controlled railways mines, ports
Large army already in region protecting their interests
Imperial War Faction in Manchuria (young army officers and extreme nationalists)
Angered at Chinese Warlord competing for railway interests in region
Wanted war with China to “spiritually regenerate” the nation – lead it away from west
Wanted to establish a base outside the country and Manchuria was sparsely populated
1931 – Munkden Incident – Railway Explosion – pretext to Invade
JAPANESE EXPANSION Reaction of League of Nations and Others
Responded with only criticisms of Japan – branded as aggressors (appeasement)
No police force or military to stop the aggression
Set up delegation to look in to matter – Lytton Report Concluded
Although condemned Japanese actions unwilling to carry out economic sanctions
Other nations too concerned about Great Depression (lacked ability to act)
China too weak to act alone – ill prepared and ill equipped
Japan merely walked out of League of Nations in 1933 after Report
Tangku Truce – Japan takes total control of Manchuria (1933) – stablishes Manchuko (emperor Puyi)
Countries capable of acting and impacted – US (isolation/GD) and Russia (not in League)
US Hoover following isolationist policy – Stimson Doctrine (US refused to recognize what took place)
JAPANESE EXPANSION Mainland China
China severely weakened for number of years – see concession areas to foreigners
China vast land rich in agriculture, resources, and markets
Amau Declaration – 1934 – Japan declares special interests over China
Japan already in northern region of China – Manchuria – used as means to infiltrate
1937 Marco Polo Bridge Incident – clash between forces – used as pretext to invade
Japan takes over Nanking (Capital), then much of East China and port regions
JAPANESE EXPANSION the pacific
Will begin with the Invasion of Indochina
Following fall of France in 1940 (to German forces – WWII) – colonial area
Occupied French air bases in Indochina – used to attack Malaya, Burma, Singapore
Then go on to Dutch East Indies (oil) and Phillipines (US naval base), and others
Japanese Blitz in the Pacific follows attack on Pearl Harbour
ITALIAN EXPANSION Reasons For
Impact of Great Depression – resources, unemployment, loans and aid gone, control seas
Expansion of the Italian population – need place for surplus population, autarky had not achieved goals
Expand Italian empire in Mediterranean and North Africa
Make up for lack of territory gained in Treaty of Versailles
Threaten British possessions in East Africa as well as Sudan, Egypt and Suez
Revenge for earlier defeat at the Battle of Adowa in 1896
Ethiopia not attached to any empire – weak nation – little risk of war
Italy has territory surrounding region – Italian Somaliland, Libya, etc
ITALIAN EXPANSION
B. Invasion of Ethiopia (Abyssinia)
Begins in October 1935 – completed May 1936
Italians win with superior weapons, number of troops, tanks, airplanes, gas
Haile Salassie (leader of Ethiopia) appeals to League of Nations
League responds somewhat passively
Mussolini realizes foreign powers would not react – moves closer to Germany
ITALIAN EXPANSION
C. Reaction of the League of Nations
League orders some economic sanctions but these do not include war material
Also does not stop Italian ships from passing through Suez
Mussolini also threatens war if not given territory (worried Britain and France)
Britain and France – seeking alliance with Mussolini (Stresa Front) - worried Germany
Hoare-Laval Pact – give in to demands made by Mussolini (credibility lost)
Aggressor nations only continue to expand
ITALIAN EXPANSION Albania – April 1939
Mimics Hitler’s occupation of Czechoslovakia
Part of larger plan to control much of Balkan region
Albania offered little to invaders (depended on Italian economy)
Would use this land to turn against Greece later
greece then africa WWII
GERMAN EXPANSION
HITLER’S FOREIGN POLICY GOALS
Aims and Goals of German Expansion
Repudiation of the Treaty of Versailles
Revenge against France
Lebensraum – living space for the German people
Ein Volk – uniting all German speaking people together
Rearmament – make Germany a strong military nation again
Acquisition of lost territories – Saar, Rhineland, Silesia
Anschluss – Union with Austria
Expansion into territories and subjugation of minorities
Removal of Bolshevism and Communism
GERMAN STEPS TO WAR
Rearmament and conscription – 1935
Reoccupation of Rhineland – 1936
Anschluss with Austria – March 1938
German occupation of Sudetenland – September 1938 (Munich Pact)
German takeover of Czechoslovakia – March 1939
Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact – August 1939
Invasion of Poland – September 1939
WEAKNESS OF LEAGUE
Seen as victor’s club – initially only included those who won Great War
Lacked credibility and financial power – major power like US absent
Britain and France left to uphold policies (Britain self-interest – Anglo-German Naval 1935)
Soviet Union was not a member until 1934 (not allowed)
Major organ of power – Council – had members who wanted to revise Treaty of Versailles or
had own interests to pursue (Germany, Italy and Japan)
League’s structure and organization inefficient (see Assembly and unanimous vote)
When it failed to act lost credibility and only encouraged further challenges
APPEASEMENT
Britain Followed Because:
Felt Treaty of Versailles too harsh – Reassessment of terms etc
Public Opinion – wish to avoid war at all costs
Demands of Dictators seen as justified
Economic Pressures - Great Depression (trade and lack of military spending)
Global Commitments – Commonwealth not interested in war
Associated with Neville Chamberlain – championed cause
