Road To Global War
GERMANY (1918 - 1939)
Italy
JAPAN
Japan (1904 - 1941)
Japan´s Rising
Italy´s Foreign Policy
Invasion
Perspectives
John Dower (US)
Ideology
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.
Alliances
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.
War Reparations (1921)
The Nazi Party (1923)
Night of The Long Knives (June 30 - July 2 of 1932)
Longman mentioned that the Italians were tired of an useless government, Mussolini blamed them to the economic crisis Italy were suffered.
Albania
R.J.B. Bosworth states that Mussolini established an authoritarian and nationalist government. This government allowed legally the violence between the the opposition parties
Ethiopia
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.
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.
These "reparations" were estimated to cost 269 billion Marks, or approximately 32 billion USD, in 1921. Germany's capacity to provide further coal and steel was compromised in 1923. The United States gave money to Germany, who then used it to make reparations to other European countries, who then used it to pay off their loans to America. This started a cycle of loans.
The Nazi party rises thanks to Hitler from 3,000 to 15,000 and a private army of ex-soldiers, the "brown shirts". Nazi party received 13.5 million votes, 37% of all votes cast, and more than any other party had received, giving the chance of Hitler to become councelor.
Munich Agreement
Spanish Civil War
Axis Alliances
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.
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.
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.
Several of the top brownshirts were assassinated on orders from Hitler using the Gestapo and the Schutzstaffel (SS), an elite military organization that was created from the Nazi party security forces and Hitler's personal bodyguards. Hitler also took use of the opportunity to eliminate his political rivals inside and beyond the Nazi party. After the “Night of the Long Knives” and Hindenburg’s death, the Reichswehr accepted Hitler’s leadership.
The Weimar Republic (1918)
Perspectives
Mark Thompson - Thompson is a British historian who has written extensively on Italian history, including the rise of fascism and Italy's involvement in World War II. His books on the subject include "The White War: Life and Death on the Italian Front, 1915-1919" and "Forging War: The Media in Italy, 1915-1919." Thompson's works offer a nuanced perspective on Italian history and explore the impact of the war on Italian society.
Christopher Hibbert - Hibbert was a British historian who wrote several books on Italy, including "Mussolini: The Rise and Fall of Il Duce" and "The Road to War: Italy, 1919-1945." His works offer a comprehensive overview of Italian history and provide insight into the political and social factors that contributed to Italy's involvement in World War II.
Christopher Hibbert - Hibbert was a British historian who wrote several books on Italy, including "Mussolini: The Rise and Fall of Il Duce" and "The Road to War: Italy, 1919-1945." His works offer a comprehensive overview of Italian history and provide insight into the political and social factors that contributed to Italy's involvement in World War II.
The deposition and exile of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the establishment of the Weimar Republic, and Germany's ratification of the Treaty of Versailles all contributed to the establishment of post-war peace.
The Economy in a Fascist State (1935)
As in economic area, unemployment was rife throughout Germany. Nonetheless, early Nazi measures to create jobs tended to favour rural regions over urban ones, which were where they were most necessary.
Industrial Military Output (1935 - 1937)
Germany was supposed to have a standing army of 300,000 troops, divided into 21 divisions, by the end of 1937. During a conflict, this force might grow to 63 divisions. This was the plan's defense stage. Between 1938 and 1941, offensive capabilities would be increased. This strategy started the clock on Hitler's hostility. Germany would have to enact conscription (forced military service) for German men within two years in order to fulfill the 21 division objective in 1937.
USSR Relationship (1939)
Despite their bitter rivalry, fascism and communism found common ground in their opposition to capitalism. Germany and the Soviet Union initially struck an economic agreement. They then agreed, in a secret treaty, to split Poland into German and Soviet zones of influence. On August 23, 1939, the agreement was signed. This surprised the allies, who had built their deals with Hitler partly on the notion that the fear of war with Russia would keep Hitler in check.
The Anschluss (1938)
The Czechoslovakia Crisis & Munich Agreement (1938)
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.
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.
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.
click to edit
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.
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
Russo - Japanesse War (1904)
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.
Racial Equality Proposal (1914)
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.
Manchuria Invasion (1931)
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.
Second Sino - Japanese War (1937)
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.
The Tripartite Pact (1940)
Japan signs the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, forming the Axis powers and committing to mutual defense in the event of war.
Attack at Pearl Harbor (1941)
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.