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Invasion of Manchuria
Japanese forces invaded Manchuria located in Northern China whose resources were wealthy manufacturing/textiles. They swept through the rest of Northern China in 1937. They almost destroyed Shanghai, and Japanese troops then, committed an act called, "The Rape of Nanjing". After 2 months, Japanese forces killed approx. 250,000 Chinese citizens and raped approx. 80,000 women and girls. -
Ethiopian Invasion
Mussolini(II Duce), in Oct. 1935, made an effort to build a glorious Italian empire, which led to Italy's revenge after their 1890's defeat by the Ethiopians. At the time, the Ethiopian army weren't any match against the Italian empire, and the League of Nations almost condemned the attack called, "Please Don't do that." And Britain and France hoped that feeding into Mussolini could help maintain Europe's peace. -
Rhineland Invasion
The last chance to stop Hitler, but Britain and France followed the policy of appeasement, and marked an important turning point: Strengthened Hitler's power and prestige within Germany, changed balance of power in Germany's favor, and encouraged Hitler to start a program of military and territorial expansion. -
Spanish Civil War
July 1936, Gen. Francisco Franco led a revolt against the elected government. Along with him being a fascist, Hitler and Mussolini sent weapons and soldiers to assist him in Spain. Hitler wanted to test his troops and military tactics, and the Republican army fighting Franco got small help from abroad. Early 1939, the Republicans collapsed. -
Annexation of Austria
Hitler declared Germany needed more living space/lebensraum to grow, Anschluss/union between Austria and Germany, and part of Hitler's motivation for taking Austria was him being born there. And France and Britain, as a response, ignored Hitler's move. -
Invasion of Poland
Hitler announced his plans to take back the Polish corridor. Germany invaded Poland and sent dive-bombers, tanks, and soldiers. Soldiers were called, "Blitzkrieg". Britain and France declared war on Germany and started mobilizing for war starting WWII. At the end, Poland was conquered.
