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Manchuria
After the Great Depression, Japan was affected by the increase in foreign tariffs. They were struggling, so they turned to Manchuria and they tried to control the land. Then an incident on September 1931, caused for the League of China to request the withdrawal of the Japanese army. However, the Japanese refused and they attacked Manchuria after withdrawing from the League of Nations. This caused for Japan to join the Axis powers.
https://inter-wars.weebly.com/japan-invades-manchuria-1931.html -
Germany Rearmament
After the League of Nations had created the Treaty of Versailles to control Germany's powers, Hitler decided to violate it. Germany decided to reinstitute a conscription and he improved the army and navy. The League of Nations talked about the actions being taken by Hitler but did nothing to stop him. This led to Germany's gain in strength and power. It also led to the League of Nation’s loss of control of Germany.
https://www.cfr.org/explainer-video/lessons-learned-hitlers-rearmament-germany -
Ethiopia
In 1935, Benito Mussolini decided to invade Ethiopia. Italy invaded Ethiopia because they wanted to follow Germany’s plan of invading territories they believed belonged to them. Another reason was because they wanted to get revenge on Ethiopia due to two events, Ethiopia defeat of Italian forces in the battle of Adowa, and an incident in Wal-Wal Oasis. This led to tension with the League of Nations.
http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/ww2-italy-invades-ethiopia -
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Spanish Civil War
Francisco Franco began a revolt against the Spanish monarchy, gathering a group of Nationalist. The war was between the Nationalist and the republican gov. of Spain. Spain became weak as is was divided by its own people. Countries like Germany and the Soviet Union became involved. They helped either group with supplies. In the end, the Republicans surrendered in Madrid on March 1939, leaving Franco as the dictator of Spain. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spanish-civil-war-breaks-out -
Anschluss
Hitler announced the Anschluss(union) of Austria to create a greater Germany. Austrian officials didn't want to go through with this union. Therefore, a German agent(acting as an Austrian gov) faked a plea asking for German assistance in Austria. This led Germany forcing their way into Austria and create a union between both nations. Then Germany began the same process of persecuting Jewish people, in Austria.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hitler-announces-an-anschluss-with-austria -
Czechoslovakia
Hitler wanted to take over Czechoslovakia, but they were powerful and he knew that if he invaded them other countries would interfere and he would lose. Britain and France created the Munich Pact which secured Czechoslovakia from Germany, leaving Germany with Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia’s area of fortification. This made Czechoslovakia vulnerable. On March 1939, Hitler had took over Czechoslovakia, this led to Germany’s expansion of territory.
http://spartacus-educational.com/2WWczech.htm -
Invasion of Poland
Due to lack of reinforcement from other countries, Hitler thought it would be easy to get away with the invasion of Poland. Hitler was about to invade Poland when he found out that Poland had signed a treaty with Britain for aid and protection. Then, some German soldiers disguised in Polish uniform created an attack to begin a war. In the end, Germany was able to control Poland and led to WWII.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland
