Chapter 19
Why did Fascism rise in Italy after the First World War?
- Italy had intervened in the First World War on the side of the allies after the treaty of London
1915 and found itself heavily defeated and in bad shape after the war. 460,000 Italians died and
there was little to show for it.
- The promises made in the treaty would not all be fulfilled which resulted in a mood of anger
and fear of revolution in Italy, with strikes, looting, demonstrations and riots being commonplace
What were the aims of Mussolini's foreign policy?
-Gain greater control over Italy's spheres of influence in the Balkans and Mediterranean region,
especially in north Africa.
-Claim 'unredeemed' territory around the Adriatic which was promised but not granted in 1919
when Italy was represented in Paris.
What was Italy's involvement in Libya from 1922 onwards?
From 1922, Mussolini sent Italian troops to regain control of Libya, which had been an Italian
colony since 1912 but had frequent and severe revolts from the locals . The course of actions
were more decisive and aggressive, with involvement in 1928 escalating after local guerrilla
troops prevented the full claim of power over Libya. Civilians were rounded up and sent to
concentration camps and mosques were desecrated using chemical weapons.
How did Italy view Germany after Hitler rose to power?
- Italy was alarmed by the growing strength of Germany who had attempted to take over Austria
in 1934, potentially threatening Italy's sphere of influence in the Balkans and threatening Italian
borders.
- Mussolini initially supported an Anti-Nazi Austria, shifting aims to dissuade Germany from
forcibly taking over Austria
- Italy joined the Stresa conference in April 1935 with Britain and France shortly after Hitler
announced German rearmament, agreeing to oppose the repudiation of treaties which may
endanger the peace of Europe.
How did France and Britain view Germany after Hitler rose to power?
- Britain and France were concerned over Hitler's aggressive foreign policy with his withdrawal
from the disarmament conference in 1933 and publicly announcing Germany's rearmament
programme in 1935.
- They joined the Stresa conference in April 1935
What were the impacts of the Great Depression on Japan?
The depression hit Japan very hard. Japan was a small nation with scarce natural resources,
depending on imports and exports, which were disrupted by the depression:
-Japans main export, silk, suffered a collapse on prices
-Tariffs imposed by America and much of Europe in retaliation caused Japanese exports to drop
by 40% in one year
,What was the situation like in Japan at the time of the great depression?
Its population was growing by 1 million per year, the government found itself unable to feed its
people and even subsistence farmers struggled to feed their families.
What were the internal reasons Japan wanted to expand and colonise China?
-Nationalist sentiment of expansion with the increasing influence of military on government
policies
-exploit China's natural resources, Manchuria had fertile soil and coal
-gain land to relieve the overcrowding issue
-Ready excuse for invasion: China's lack of stable government
-Strong position in Manchuria which helped spread Japanese political and economic influence in
the region
What were the external reasons Japan wanted to expand and colonise China? (regarding
relations with other powers)
-victory in the Russo-Jap war held Japan to world power status, ended rivalry with Russia in the
far east and allowed annexation of Korea which increased sphere of influence
-Appreciated by the west as an ally against communism after the Bolshevik revolution
What were the ambitions of Germany?
-Dismantle democracy and communism
-Abandon Germany's adherence to post war settlements: reparations, limitation on army, not
allowing for Anschluss with Austria. Evident as Hitler begun to rapidly expand rearmament
programmes in 1928 secretly
What were the Rome agreements 1935?
Italy and France agreed to respect each others Europeans and colonial borders
, Chapter 20
What is collective security?
the underlying principle of the League of Nations: the idea that states should cooperate and
support each other if one was threatened by another power
What was the pursuit of collective security challenged by?
-changing balance of power brought about by the new ambitions of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
France and Britain were much less powerful in relation to other powers than it had been before
WW1
-practicalities of enforcing it: all nations would have to be in a position to exercise military
sanctions against the aggressor at once, nations were reluctant to do so
-The idea of managing rivals in Africa or the Fear east was becoming less and less realistic
How did Japan invade Manchuria?
- On 18 September 1931 a bomb exploded near Mukden on the Japanese-owned South
Manchurian railway. The Japanese accused the Chinese of sabotage, although they might have
planted the bomb themselves.
- As a result Japanese forces pushed further into Manchuria.
- Manchuria was established as a puppet regime called Manchuoko
How did the League of Nations react to the Japanese actions at Manchuria?
-set up a commission of inquiry in December 1931 to investigate the claims of China and Japan
in Manchuria after China requested for help
-the Lytton Commission recommended in October 1932 that Manchuria should be an
autonomous region under Chinese control, condemning the creation of Manchuoko as a
Japanese protectorate directly contravened principles of self-determination
Why was the league unable to do anything about Manchuria?
-UK couldn't afford to send troops for peacekeeping: the League had no army, countries had to
be persuaded to declare war on Japan
-Option of economic sanctions was void: USA refused to be involved under the Stimson
Doctrine, despite being on the Lytton commission
-Manchuria was remote, action was difficult
-Little sympathy for China and some support for Japan, which seemed to be trying to restore law
and order
-Little agreement between members of the league
What was the outcome of the Manchurian crisis on Japan
- Japan left the LON, moral condemnation was useless
- continued invasion of China until a truce was agreed on
- the truce left Japan firmly in control of Manchuria
What effects did the League's failure have upon Japan?
-with increasing militarism, the government failed under the control of the army
