Crises Flashcards
Why was Japan seen as a threat?
1) It had been at war with Russia since 1904
2) Japanese infrastructure had grown whilst Europe was fighting in WW1
3) The USA was worried about competition due to its power and large navy
4) After the depression wrecked Japanese businesses, its military leaders called for a military expansion
Describe the events of The Manchurian Crisis
1) Japan had a large army and navy and had controlled the South Manchurian Railway since 1905
2) In September 1931, it used the excuse that there was an explosion directed at its army to invade Mukden, and then the rest of Manchuria
3) They pretended to give Manchuria independence by putting Puyi, the last Chinese emperor in control so the Japanese could control HIM.
4) The League sent Lord Lytton to assess the situation. He produced a report which took over a year and only condemned Japanese actions. The League did nothing else
What was the consequence?
The League was weakened because it was the first real challenge to prove to the world that it was effective then did nothing to stop Japanese aggression
How was the League weakened?
1) Japan refused to accept Lytton’s report and left the League in 1933
2) In 1933, Japan then continued to invade China’s Jehol province
3) Dictators like Hitler and Mussolini saw obvious flaws in the League
4) Japan signed a treaty with Hitler in 1936 then continued to invade China in 1937
How was Italy ruled by Mussolini?
1) Fascist regime
2) Was made Prime Minister in 1922 after threatening to march on Rome if not given power. He changed the voting rules and in 1924 the Fascists swept into power
3) From 1925 he changed Italy into a dictatorship
4) All opposition parties were banned
What was Italy’s relationship with Britain and France like?
- He was more on Britain and France’s side.
- He supported them at the Stresa Conference against the invasion of Austria by Germany
Why did Italy want to invade Abyssinia?
1) Italy had been defeated by Abyssinia in 1896 and Italy wanted revenge
2) It was well positioned to add to his other colonies
3) He had seen how easily Japan had gotten away with Manchuria
4) He dreamt of making Italy great again
Describe the events in the Abyssinian Crisis
1) In October 1935, Mussolini ordered his troops to be sent across the Abyssinian border
2) Haile Selassie appealed to the League for help
3) The League banned arms to both countries: this hindered the Abyssinians because they had none, and didn’t affect the Italians because they already had theirs!
4) They hesitated in banning the things that Italy needed like oil and coal in case the USA didn’t support them
5) The League didn’t close off the Suez Canal so Italian supply ships got through to their colonies
6) The League disgraced itself through the Hoare-Laval pact which offered a third of Abyssinia to Italy, which caused uproar
7) Italy had conquered the entire country by May 1936 anyway
Consequence of Abyssinia?
1) The League looked weak
2) The League, especially Britain and France was disgraced through the Hoare-Laval pact
3) The League looked foolish due to its poor sanctions
