Timeline of Aggression

1931-1939

Japan, Italy, & Germany

1931 – Japan Invades Manchuria

• The West’s Response

• League of Nations members vigorously protested. League condemned Japanese aggression, but it had no power to enforce its decisions. Japan ignored the protests and withdrew from the League in 1933.

October 1935 – Mussolini attacks Ethiopia

• The West’s Response

• The League condemned the attacks but did nothing.

March 1935 – Hitler begins rearming

• The West’s Response

• The League did nothing.

March 1936 – German troops reoccupy Rhineland

• The West’s Response

• French and British choose appeasement.

1937 – Japan Invades China

• The West’s Response

• International community condemns the invasion but does nothing in response.

• You Tube

1936-1939 – Spanish Civil War

• The West’s Response

• The west declares neutrality in the conflict. Italy and Germany support fascists and the Soviet Union supports the Republicans. Fascists win.

March 1938 – Hitler Annexes Austria

• The West’s Response

• Britain and France ignore their pledge to protect Austrian independence.

• Known as Anschluss.

September 1938 – Hitler Demands Sudetenland

• The West’s Response

• Agree to Munich Conference suggested by Mussolini.

• Give in to Hitler’s demand to preserve peace.

• You Tube

March 1939 – Hitler Takes Czechoslovakia

• The West’s Response

• West chooses appeasement, though this defied the idea of self-determination put forth earlier regarding Anschluss and Sudetenland.

April 1939 – Mussolini Takes Albania

• The West’s Response

• League condemnation.

August 1939 – Hitler Demands Danzig and Polish Corridor

• The West’s Response

• Britain and France declare that they will guarantee Polish independence.

This Aggression Will Not Stand, Man!