The Road to War
THE ROAD TO WAR
Event / How it lead to warJapanese invasion of Manchuria / a) How would Japan benefit from taking over Manchuria?
The Japanese wanted to build up their empire (imperialism). They wanted colonies so that they could compete for power with the United States, the Soviet Union, and other empires. In 1931, they invade Manchuria (in China) to help build up their colonies. Manchuria had a lot of natural and economic resources that Japan wanted to exploit.
Germany Re-arms / a)How did Hitler violate the Treaty of Versailles?
In 1932, Germany, Britain and France agreed to suspend reparation payments for Germany as the Great Depression had lead to much poverty for the people. Hitler was determined to re-arm (get weapons) and reclaim (take back) lost territory from the Treaty of Versailles. He starts to produce weapons on a massive scale and introduces mandatory conscription to get 500 000 men.
Mussolini Invades Ethiopia / a) Why does the League of Nations continually fail to achieve global peace and security?
Mussolini is the leader of Italy at this time (1935). He too has imperialistic ambitions and wants more colonies; he wants to build up his empire. He wanted the land, resources and prestige that came with building an empire. The League of Nations failed to stop him.
Germany Occupies the Rhineland / a) Why didn’t the Allies from WWI stop him?
The Rhineland, Germanic territory along the western border with France, was demilitarized after the Treaty of Versailles. In 1936, he broke the Treaty and sent his troops into the region, thus re-militarizing it. Britain did not intervene; they thought Hitler was just angling to protect his own land and they didn’t see this action as a threat.
Germany Occupies Austria / a)Why were Jews and Gypsies prohibited from voting
on Anschluss?
Germany wanted to join up again with Austria – they wanted to form a union, or, “Anschluss.” The majority of Austrian people voted for this, but many Jews and Gypsies were forbidden from voting or having a say in the matter. Germany has directly and blatantly violated the Treaty of Versailles. The League of Nations failed to respond. Anschluss was the occupation andannexation ofAustriaintoNazi Germanyin 1938.
The Sudetenland / a) What is the policy of appeasement and what was the goal of Britain and France by using this policy>
The Sudetenland was a part of Germany before WWI. After WWI, it was given to Czechoslovakia, but there were many ethnic Germans living there. Hitler wanted to unite those people with his own. Hitler did not want to go to war over this, but he was willing to do so. Britain and France did not want to fight another war so they agreed to give Hitler this land on the condition that he did not make any more territorial demands. The signing of the Munich agreement transferred power of the Sudetenland to Germany. This policy was known as appeasement.
The Pact of Steel / a) Why is Germany choosing to cooperate with Italy?
If Germany or Italy ever went to war, this pact ensured they would receive the support of their ally. Germany and Italy would aid each other immediately, militarily or otherwise, in the event of war being declared. They promised to collaborate in military and wartime production. The Pact ensured that neither country was able to make peace without the agreement of the other. The agreement was based on the assumption that a war would occur within three years. Italy signs on because they too want a piece of the imperial pie
Germany Occupies Czechoslovakia / a) Why is Chamberlain angry?
Following Anschluss, the conquering of Czechoslovakia became Hitler’s next ambition. Taking away the Sudetenland had made the country weak and easy to attack. Hitler occupies it in 1938, encountering no resistance. British PM Neville Chamberlain is angry and declares an end to the current policy of appeasement. Britain promises to defend its ally Poland against German attack – something that appears to be looming on the horizon.
German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact / a) Why would the Soviets want to sign this pact? What are the benefits?
Hitler was planning to invade Poland in 1939. However, he knew he was facing the possibility of a war on two fronts (west with France and east with Russia). In 1939 he made a pact with the Soviet Union (Russia). They promised to help each other economically and to not fight against each other in the war. In the end, the Soviets would be given some land for their cooperation. When Poland was invaded in 1939, the Soviets stood by and watched. The Soviets kept out of the war until they were betrayed by a surprise German attack in 1941.
Invasion of Poland / a) Why are Britain and France willing to do something about Hitler now?
On September 1, 1939, Germany unleashed a swift blitzkrieg (lightening war) against Poland, attacking on land and in the air. German troops stormed in, seizing land and two days later, France and Britain would declare war. WWII begins.
Canada Enters the War / a) Why would Canada be motivated to go to war during this time?
The Statute of Westminster in 1931 gave Canada more autonomy over its governance. As such, Canada was now able to make independent policy decisions without the consent of Great Britain. In WWI, Canada was forced to join; however, by WWII, Canada makes the active choice to go to war, declaring war on Germany a week after its best ally, Britain. PM King’s decision to go to war was historic – it marked the first time that Canada had declared war as an independent nation.