Aggression in Europe & Asia leads to Appeasement

1. Aggression in Europe & Asia leads toAppeasement Major Ideas: • In Europe, Nazi expansion of territory and re-militarization was allowed by other great powers because of the desire to avoid another major war. • In Asia, no one was strong enough to challenge Japanese aggression. The Appeaser

2. Nazi desire for Lebensraum (“living space”) • Fascists wanted more territory because it was part of their ideology. • The Treaty of Versailles said Germany could not have a strong military or reclaim land lost in WWI but… • Ger began re-arming in 1933 when Hitler was elected. • 1935—Hitler ignored T of V again and took the very important industrial region of the Rhineland back from France

3. Anschluss(“union”) with Austria • Austria has many historical ties w/ Ger • March 1938—Hitler demanded Ger-Aust “reunification”—no real objections from Austrian people, GB, Fr, US or any other nation

4. Annexation of Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) • S-land was a part of Czechoslovakia—mostly Ger speaking people • Sept 1938—Ger demanded S-land become part of Ger • Czech. people said no and gov’t asked the world to intervene

6. Plight of Jews in Nazi areas in late 1930s • From 1933 on, goal of Nazis was to make Ger judenrein (cleansed of Jews)—small steps… • Ger forced 150,000 Jews to leave by 1938 • After Austria & S-land, close to 1 million Jews came under Nazis • World leaders discussed “Jewish Question” at Evian Conference: --expressed sympathy for the Jews --didn’t tell Hitler to improve conditions for Jews though --no nation would take many refugee Jews fleeing Nazi areas • Hitler took this as proof Jews were “unwanted”

7. World Reaction to Nazi Aggression US Reaction: • Very littleresponse from US gov’t b/c of Great Depression & memory of huge losses of WWI • Many people didn’t want to be involved in Europe’s problems again—formed the “America First” movement (also Anti-Semitism) • Others, inc. FDR worked to convince others of danger of ignoring Hitler, but did not have wide support to stop Hitler

8. GB & Fr Reaction: • Focused on appeasement—they gave in to keep the peace (allowed Hitler to violate T of V and strengthen military) • No nations confronted Ger b/c feared war and hoped the Nazis would stop • Munich Conference 1938: --Fr & GB allowed Ger to take S-land from Czech. (who had no say) --Hitler was told “no more expansion!” • PM Chamberlain—“We achieved peace in our time.” • Future PM Churchill— “Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonour. We chose dishonour. We will have war.”

9. Aggression in Asia Japan 1930s: • Highly militarized society—strongest in Asia (b/c of unlimited growth of industry & imperial ambitions during the end of 19th c.) • Emperor was considered “god like”,but military leaders had all real power b/c of great respect given to warriors in Jpn culture • Japan wanted “living space” (same as other fascist nations) and invaded Korea & Manchuria in 1931

10. Racist Ideology in Japan • Japanese leaders indoctrinated people to believe they were superior to all other Asians— esp. to the Chinese • Propaganda was mostly aimed at children (similar to anti-Semitic prop in Ger) • Ch people were shown as evil & sub-human to Japanese • Jpn also stressed reverence for warriors, glory of death in battle etc. • Claimed that Jpn was destined to rule all of Asia

11. Japanese Invasion of China • China was consumed by civil war (between Communists & Kuomintang) and weak • July 1937—Jpn invaded Rape of Nanking: • city in N. China • Dec 1937—Mar 1938 Jpnese troops killed between 250,000 & 400,000 Ch civilians • Aprox. 20,000 women & young girls raped • Savagery was appalling, but no nation intervened to help China b/c it was an Asian issue didn’t want to get involved

12. Formation of the Axis Powers • 3 major fascist nations (Ger, It & Jpn) formed alliance • Purpose was mutual protection & cooperation during war • Done b/c it was obvious that they would be challenged sooner or later by the major democracies (GB, US & Fr) of the world