Roads+to+war-origins+of+the+second+world+war+-+caroline.norgreen+part+1

My AWESOMENESS: This shows a timeline sort of web to the build up to WW2. It shows the main events before WW2.

Found: This shows how the Great Depression highered the unemployment rate. It was a period of struggle and extremely hard to find a good job.

This shows how the Japanese invade Manchuria. They used Manchuria to try to boost their economy.

Roads to War – The Origins of the Second World War Part 1.

NOTES


 * The ‘New Era’: Hopes for Peace in 1929**

Locarno and the ‘New Era’

1925 – **Locarno Treaty** Germany, France, and Belgium – they would never attack of use any type of force against each other Britain and Italy agreed to make sure terms weren’t broken Treaty removed suspicions between Germany and neighbors

Friendship Between Nations

1929 – **Kellogg–Briand Pact** (peace treaty) War would not be used to settle disputes War would not be used to settle disputes
 * Eastern Pact** – Treaty between USSR and 6 other nations

League of Nations

Hopeful year of peace – 10-year anniversary of League of Nations Agreed to a **collective security** If any member attacked another all members would join attacked to defend that country 3 peacekeeping actions Deal with dispute legally Impose economic **sanction** A refusal of trade with the attacker – threaten economic ruin Military sanction Create a League of Nations army from armies of League of Nation’s members Tried to improve international relations
 * Disarmament Commission**–reduce weapon stock - rely on collective security

The limitations of the League

Not every nation belonged to the League of Nations US practiced ‘policy of isolation’ – no involvement in foreign affairs Some countries lacked enthusiasm Germany looked at it as a ‘club of victors’ Ability to keep peace had never been tested

The Great Depression

The Great Depression

Started in the USA and quickly spread world wide Countries practiced **Protectionism** – aimed to boost goods made there and keep out foreign goods Damaged international relations Countries experienced mass unemployment – blamed government

The Problem of Empires

Italy, Japan and Germany became more resentful of France & Britain because they were able to avoid the worst effects Italy had not been given any colonies even though it was on the winning side Japan had only been given small colonies with little value Germany had all colonies taken from them All wanted to expand – even if it meant taking colonies from other nations Britain & France – had to use much military force in colonies – natives wanted independence Expensive & could not fully support world peace & disarmament

Japan, Manchuria and the League, 1931-33

The Attraction of Manchuria

Japan wanted to invade Manchuria Had good natural resources By 1931 Japan controlled most Manchurian economy Some saw conquering lands as a way out of the depression

Japan invades Manchuria

China asks League for help who order Japan to withdraw troops Japan agrees – says it’s the work of ‘some military hot-heads’ By the end of 1931 it had fully occupied the province

The League and Manchuria

No nations were in a good position to use economic sanction or military sanction Tried to write a report to satisfy both Japan and China Japan resigned and went on to invade Jehol province for “military defense” Damaged reputation of the League Even the strongest supporters had doubts about its ability to keep world peace

The Revival of Germany, 1933-35

Hilter’s foreign policy aims

In January 1933 Hitler became Chancellor Many Germans thought they lost the WW1 because of cowardice government ministers Also became angrier when they were forced to sign **Treaty of Versailles** Stated the war was Germany’s fault Had to give up colonies Had to pay war damages Left German armies minimal Hitler wanted three things: To tear up Treaty of Versailles To unite all German-speaking people (aka the ‘Greater Germany’) Wanted to give Germans ‘**lebensraum**’ (living space) Germany was overcrowded and did not have enough food/raw material

Re-armament

Early 1933 – held meeting in secrecy stating he wanted increase armed forces Triple the army to 300,000 men Build at least 1000 aircrafts March 1935 – had 300,000 men and 2500 aircrafts that Hitler decided it shouldn’t be secret anymore Announced there was compulsory military service for all men – army was to increase 550,000

Reaction to German re-armament

The re-armament could have been halted by any major power – but did not happen Britain was faced with problems within the empire – did not want to get more involved with European affairs France had spent time building the **Maginot Line** – a series of heavily armed concrete forts along the boarder Italy was the only one who took action by putting army units in threatening positions along the boarder Nazi’s tired to overthrow Austrian government and unite the two together Hitler abandoned such plans because Italy had given a clear warning that such union was not allowed When compulsory military service was announced (1935), Prime Ministers of Italy, France, and Britain met in Stresa, Italy Formed **Stresa Front** – protests against Hilter’s re-armament, but took no further action April 1935 – ‘new era’ of peace was very uneasy Japan and Germany did not want to follow international law – nobody could stop them.

Summary

It goes from being peaceful to tense again, because the League of Nations is very unsuccessful at keeping it peaceful. There is a lot of problems among the colonies too and the Great Depression isn't helping either.

Questions

Why didn't the countries do anything? What was the US doing at this time? Did Europe not talk to the US and work with them at all? What did the Treaty of Versailles demand? How did the Great Depression impact the people of the Americas and Europe?