German, Italian and Japanese Expansion Flashcards
Learn all the dates (14 cards)
What happened in 1935 in Germany?
Saarland – A plebiscite held in Saarland (German territory which was under French control from 1919) Treaty of Versaille stated that it would hold a plebiscite in 1935 deciding if Saarland would stay with France or return to Germany (90.1%) voted to return to Germany.
What happened in 1936 in Germany?
Rhineland – Hitler moved his military into Rhineland ( no military was allowed 50km from Rhine River) League of nations condemned actions however did not take any action (was focused on Mussolinis Invasion of Abyssinia)
What was the Significance of the 1936 Spanish Civil War for Mussolini and Hitler?
Supported the Nationalists led by General Franco, while USSR, Britain and France supported republicans. As a result the nationalists won –> Hitler and Mussolini gained combat experience and led to the formation of the Rome-Berlin Axis in October 1936
What occurred in Germany in 1938?
Anschluss – Germany decided to take over Austria, Austrian counsellor wanted to meet with Hitler, Hitler attacked instead, then it was agreed on a plebiscite to be hold (was very unclear) (99% voted for the Anschluss) (Hitler attacked before the votes were counted)
What occurred in 1938? (Germany)
Sudetenland – Hitler considered the slavs untermensch and Czechoslovakia was a new state created during the Versaille Settlement. It had around 3.5m Germans which rejected Czechoslovakia and wanted to return to Germany. Edvard Benes requested help from Britain and France (agreed to fight Germany if it invades) Later on Czechoslovakia agreed to return lands of Sudetenland Germans back to Germany. Hitler wanted a full takeover, this led to the Munich Conference in 1939 (Benes and Stalin weren’t invited) during the conference it was agreed upon that occupation of Sudetenland German areas will occur before the 1st of October. However, Hitler on March 12, 1939 invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia.
What pact was formed during 1939?
Nazi-Soviet Pact (Ribbentrop and Molotov pact), Russia and Germany agreed on non-agression, also agreed to divide poland
What occurred in 1931? (Japan)
Mukden Incident – The kwantung army wanted to expand into Manchuria – were told not to by the gov’t. They set an explosion on the south Manchuria railway and blamed the Chinese. This was used as an excuse to invade Manchuria.
What commission was issued in 1932-1933? (Japan)
The Lytton Commission was issued by the League of Nations which issued that Japans expansion was unjustified and that Japan should give up the territory and withdraw.
What occurred on 1937? (Japan)
The Marco-Polo Bridge Incident – Japanese soldier was absent, Japanese commander demanded to search the town, the Chinese army refused. In confusion a Chinese soldier fired his rifle. This further escalated the situation and resulted in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the total invasion of China by Japan.
What occurred in 1923? (Italy)
Occupation of Corfu – 5 Italians were murdered on the island, Mussolini demanded 50m lire and an apology. Mussolini bombarded and occupied the island.
What occurred in 1926? (Italy)
Mussolini intervened into Albania (Supported the Fascist King Zog) Albania became a client state of Italy
What occurred in 1935? (Italy)
Invasion of Abyssinia – The invasion was very brutal no declaration of war. The Italians used huge amounts of Mustard gas against the Abyssinian troops. This also violated the Kellog-Briand pact which Italy signed in 1928. Abyssinian Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to the League. No response.
What front was destroyed in 1935? (Italy)
The Stresa front – (Britain signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement with Germany) (France and Italy felt betrayed. This led to the invasion of Abyssinia by Italy.
League of Nations
Failed to act decisively during the invasion of Abyssinia and Manchuria. Sanctions enforced by The league of nations were weak or non-existent. Belief that Germany was treated unfairly during the Versaille Settlement allowed aggression to go without consequences (Munich, Rhineland), aimed at appeasing Germany.
