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Road To Global War, image, image, image, image, image, image, image, image…

- - - - The Anschluss (1938)
        
        The referendum was annulled after a coup by the Austrian Nazi Party. German troops crossed the border to implement the Anschluss ("link up") as soon as the Germans gained control. The Nazis then requested a direct vote from the populace to confirm what had already been done in order to give their acts the appearance of legality. They stated that 99.73% of Austrians voted in favor of the Anschluss.
      - The Czechoslovakia Crisis & Munich Agreement (1938)
        
        German soldiers occupied Prague, Czechoslovakia, following a series of political machinations involving Slovakia, Bohemia, and Moravia, and then went on to seize the remainder of the nation. No one halted them once more. The Third Reich established a protectorate over Czechoslovakia. Hitler was now ready to turn his attention to Poland in the East.
        
        On September 29 and was signed on September 30 in the treaty of Munich by Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. According to its conditions, an international committee would decide the fate of other contested territories, and the German army was to seize the Sudetenland by October 10. The Czechoslovak authorities believed they had no alternative but to accept the accord since they had been misled by the West.
      - Remilitarization of Rhineland (1936)
        
        Hitler sent the troops in on March 7, 1936. Few soldiers were used in the reoccupation, and many were sent in on bicycles with orders to turn around if they saw any French opposition. Yet, the incident occurred during a weekend, and the French were further preoccupied with their election campaign.
- - - - Albania
        
        In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia, which was one of the few remaining African countries that had not been colonized by European powers. The invasion was widely criticized by other countries, and the League of Nations imposed economic sanctions on Italy. However, Mussolini was determined to prove Italy's military strength and expand Italy's colonial empire.
      - Ethiopia
        
        In 1939, Italy invaded Albania, which was a small country on Italy's eastern border. The invasion was relatively easy, and it gave Mussolini a quick and relatively bloodless victory. The invasion also demonstrated Italy's military strength and helped to boost Mussolini's popularity at home.
    - - Longman mentioned that the Italians were tired of an useless government, Mussolini blamed them to the economic crisis Italy were suffered.
      - R.J.B. Bosworth states that Mussolini established an authoritarian and nationalist government. This government allowed legally the violence between the the opposition parties
    - - Munich Agreement
        
        In 1938, Mussolini's support for Hitler's demands and the Munich Agreement was perceived as appeasement, which demonstrated the lack of resistance from the democratic powers of Europe. The result was a signal to Italy that they could act aggressively without facing consequences.
      - Spanish Civil War
        
        During the Spanish Civil War of 1936, Italy supported Franco's side by sending troops and supplies, gaining valuable experience in modern warfare. The conflict was viewed as a prelude to World War II and marked the beginning of Italy's expansionist policies.
      - Axis Alliances
        
        In 1938, Italy supported Germany's annexation of Czechoslovakia and Mussolini played a key role in brokering the Munich Agreement. This was seen as appeasement and signaled to Italy that the democratic powers of Europe were weak and would not stand up to aggression.
- - - - Perspectives
        
        John Dower (US)
        
        The Japanese expansion in the first half of the 20th century was primarily driven by nationalism and the belief in the superiority of the Japanese race. According to Dower, the leaders of Japan believed that their country had a sacred duty to free Asia from western colonial powers and establish a Great East Asia under their leadership.
        
        Akira Iriye (Japan)
        
        Due to Japan's quick industrialization in the 19th century, there was an increase in the country's need for resources as well as a need to protect its export markets. Japanese expansion was partly driven by rivalry with Western countries and the desire to preserve national security.
        
        Anglo - Japanese Alliance (1902)
        
        Ended Japanese isolation; it was the first military alliance signed between a Western and non-western nation; it further strengthened Japan’s position
    - - The Treaty of Portsmouth effectively concluded the Russo-Japanese War of 1904.The final agreement, signed in September 1905, confirmed Japan's position in south Manchuria and Korea and granted Japan the southern half of the island of Sakhalin.
    - - Japan asked for a clause in the treaty of Versailles that would have affirmed the equality of all nations, regardless of race, but it was rejected by all the western countries.
    - - Japan invades Manchuria, setting up a puppet government and establishing the state of Manchukuo. This move is condemned by the international community but Japan withdraws from the League of Nations in response.
    - - Japan invades China, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War. This conflict will continue until the end of World War II and lead to numerous atrocities committed by Japanese forces against Chinese civilians, including the manchuria incident, the marco polo bridge desaparition and the Nanjing Rape.
    - - Japan signs the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, forming the Axis powers and committing to mutual defense in the event of war.
    - - Japan launches a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, bringing the United States into World War II. Japan also begins military operations in Southeast Asia, conquering much of the region and setting up puppet governments.