World History: Japan and the League of Nations

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Questions and Answers

What was Japan's primary request when given a chair in the League of Nations?

Economic support against China

Trade agreements for silk and rice

Military alliance with other members

Equality among all nations (correct)

What was the outcome of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905?

Russia strengthened its military presence in Asia

Both nations signed a peace treaty

A significant loss for Japan

Japan gained international respect (correct)

Which event led to Japan's departure from the League of Nations?

The invasion of Ethiopia

Economic sanctions imposed on Japan

The League's request for troop withdrawal from China (correct)

The signing of the Lytton Report

What was the nature of the League of Nations' response to Japan's actions in China?

They ordered Japan to withdraw but took no further action. Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the events of April 1940?

Germany began a series of invasions using Blitzkrieg. Signup and view all the answers

What major change did Benito Mussolini undergo before invading Abyssinia?

He shifted from communism to fascism. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Dunkirk evacuation?

300,000 soldiers were evacuated successfully. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following miracles occurred during the Dunkirk evacuation?

No soldiers were hit despite gunfire from above. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor preventing the League of Nations from aiding China?

Fear of escalating the Great Depression Signup and view all the answers

During the invasion of Abyssinia, what type of weaponry did Italy use compared to Ethiopia's?

Heavy machinery vs. traditional spears Signup and view all the answers

What mistake did Hitler make during the Dunkirk evacuation?

He allowed his tanks to be grounded. Signup and view all the answers

What operation was never executed by Germany against Britain?

Operation Sea Lion Signup and view all the answers

What was the content of the Lytton Report regarding Japan's actions?

Japan was found at fault for the incursion into China. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary strategy used by Germany in the Battle of Britain?

Massive air strikes to weaken British defenses. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main role of Charles De Gaulle during the German occupation of France?

He led a resistance movement against the Germans. Signup and view all the answers

What was the slogan that symbolized British resolve during the war?

Keep Calm and Carry On Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Enabling Law passed by Hitler?

To give Hitler the right to make laws without Parliament approval Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Jewish population scapegoated for Germany's problems during Hitler's rise to power?

Hitler believed they were wealthy and influential Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a promise made by Hitler to gain support?

To strengthen Germany's military Signup and view all the answers

What ideology did Hitler use to justify his views on race?

Social Darwinism Signup and view all the answers

What was one method used by Hitler to control public opinion?

Controlling the media and mandatory radio programs Signup and view all the answers

What significant event led to the passing of the Enabling Law?

The burning of the Reichstag Signup and view all the answers

Which action was taken against Jews once the Nazis came to power?

They were banned from various professions Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the consequences of Hitler's belief regarding Aryans marrying other races?

It was seen as damaging to the Aryan race Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the economic situation in Germany during the Weimar Republic?

Extreme inflation leading to hyperinflation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a reason citizens were drawn to Hitler's leadership?

His decisive actions in times of crisis. Signup and view all the answers

What was 'Autarky' as pursued by Hitler?

A strategy to achieve full economic independence. Signup and view all the answers

What significant legislation was enacted in 1935 that targeted Jews in Germany?

The Nuremberg Laws. Signup and view all the answers

What major military action did Hitler take that violated the Treaty of Versailles?

Introduction of compulsory military service. Signup and view all the answers

Which territory did French and Belgian troops occupy due to Germany’s inability to pay reparations?

The Ruhr. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Great Depression impact Germany’s economy?

It caused the U.S. to demand repayment of loans. Signup and view all the answers

What plan did Hitler implement that aimed at reviving the German economy through projects like the Autobahn?

The Four-Year Plan. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary missions during the Dieppe Raid?

To destroy port facilities and weaken coastal defenses Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Dieppe Raid regarding military strategy?

It demonstrated the importance of planning and surprise in military operations. Signup and view all the answers

What critical event at Stalingrad changed the course of the war for the Allies?

The halting of the German advancement by Soviet troops Signup and view all the answers

Which tactical mistake was made during the Dieppe Raid?

Underestimating the German defenses and the time for planning Signup and view all the answers

What was a key lesson learned from the Dieppe raid that influenced later operations?

Artillery should precede troop landings to soften enemy resistance. Signup and view all the answers

What was Operation Husky?

The Allied invasion of Italy Signup and view all the answers

What factor significantly changed the situation for the Allies in 1943?

The successful defense of Stalingrad by Soviet forces Signup and view all the answers

How many Canadian lives were lost during the Dieppe Raid?

1000 Signup and view all the answers

What was a major factor in Germany's desire to regain control over the Rhineland?

Control exerted by other countries Signup and view all the answers

What was agreed upon in the Pact of Steel among Germany, Italy, and Japan?

To divide their territories and fight against communism Signup and view all the answers

How did Hitler justify the invasion of Austria in 1938?

By claiming the Treaty of Versailles separated Germans Signup and view all the answers

Which significant region of Czechoslovakia was targeted by Hitler due to its German-speaking population?

Sudetenland Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for Czechoslovakia after the Munich Agreement?

Surrender and division of territory to Germany Signup and view all the answers

How did Chamberlain respond after the signing of the Munich Pact?

He assured that Hitler would honor the agreement Signup and view all the answers

What was Poland's reaction to Germany's actions in the Rhineland?

They expressed concern but were ignored Signup and view all the answers

What did Western politicians do when Hitler took over Austria?

They did nothing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit 3 (WWII)

World War One was a decade of many countries getting away with murder.
Major Cause #1: Failure of the League of Nations
Major Cause #2: German Aggression & Breaking the Treaty of Versailles
Major Cause #3: Appeasement by the Allies (foreign policy).
Spark: Germany's invasion of Poland.
Causes of WWII:
- Destruction caused by WWI
- Failure of WWI peace settlements (Treaty of Versailles)
- Global economic depression
- Weakness of the League of Nations
- Militaristic & nationalist leaders in Germany, Italy, and Japan
- Acts of aggression by Axis powers
- British and French appeasement
Animal causes from WWI still relevant in WWII, but different
WWII sides: Axis vs Allies (except Italy, who switched, and Japan, who initially helped Allies).
The map of countries and states is important for the test.

Causes of WWII

Failure of the League of Nations (1931-1935)
Question: Why were aggressive nations not punished before WWII? Could it have been prevented?
Background: Woodrow Wilson's 14 points to avoid another world war and improve civilian lives
Purpose and Functions of the League of Nations: -Collective Security: supporting other countries when threatened. -Providing social welfare, helping refugees, and sponsoring medical research.
- Solving border disputes (Sweden and Finland). -Weaknesses: Russia, U.S., and Germany were not involved; Germany was aggressive; U.S. was very powerful and didn't suffer.

North America & Isolationism

Isolationism: U.S. policy of not being involved in WWI unless directly affected (only country in WWI involved and still had something when it was over)
Article X: Members of the League of Nations agree to respect and preserve against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members.

The League of Nations' Response

Japan and China (1894-1895 Sino-Japanese war)
Japan blew up China's railway in 1931.
Investigation by the League of Nations (Lytton Report).
Report found Japan at fault, but Japan refused to withdraw troops
The expulsion of Japan and the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1945).

The Invasion of Abyssinia

Italy versus Ethiopia
Italy was promised territories in Africa, but only given three of five, leading to dispute with the League of Nations
Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935, using bombs and machinery while Abyssinia relied on spears.
Italy went to the League of Nations for help.
The League failed to act,
eight countries left the League.

1934: July Push

Hitler in power (1933)
Hitler's interest in Austria, where many ethnic Germans lived.

Mussolini's Border

Agreement between Italy, France, and Britain against Germany to keep Austria independent (1935).
Britain and France did not support Italy's actions in Abyssinia.
This led to Germany's growing power and the League of Nations' failures to act effectively against aggressive nations.

League of Nations Weakness

Membership (powerful countries left)
Racist ideologies in decision-making
Lack of independent military capabilities
Fear of another war and the unknown.

German Aggression and Hitler

Nazi party (National Socialist German Workers' Party) (1921-brown shirts).
The Beer Hall Putsch (Munich 1923): attempted armed revolution by Hitler.

Hitler's Promise and Enabling Law

Job creation and ending unemployment.
Ignoring the Treaty of Versailles.
Dealing with the Jews ( scapegoating)

Germany's Economic Problems

Weimar Republic and Reparations: Germany in the 1920s
Hyperinflation in 1922-1923 made bread very expensive.
Dawes Plan: U.S. loan to Germany in the 1930s to fix debt issues
The Great Depression: affected German economy and contributed to Hitler's rise to power).

WWII Battles:

The Sitzkrieg (or Phony war): (Sept 1939 - April 1940): no fighting for many months
Dunkirk: a mass evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk (1940).
Battle of Britain: aerial battle between Germany (Luftwaffe) versus Britain (RAF), a major turning point in the war(1940) .
Hitler’s invasion of Russia (1941): Operation Barbarossa.
Pearl Harbor: Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base (Dec 1941).

The Tide Turns – Stalingrad:

Stalingrad: turning point on the Eastern front. This was a HUGE battle and the largest & bloodiest battle in WWII history.
Italian Campaign (1943) : Italy was invaded causing a two-front war for Germany, taking the pressure off of Russia
D-Day (June 6, 1944): Allied invasion of Normandy, a major turning point on the Western front.

Liberation of Europe:

Fighting continued for eleven months after D-Day.

The Holocaust

Roughly 600,000 Germans were Jewish.
The top two countries that had the largest Jewish populations were Russia and Poland.
Anti-semitism: Hatred for Jews
Discrimination: denial of jobs, businesses, and rights
Resettlement: forced relocation to ghettos and then concentration camps
Systematic execution (1941-1945): extermination in gas chambers.

Canadians at Hong Kong

Canadians defended Hong Kong and were expelled (1941)
They were taken as prisoners of war (POWs)
Poor treatment as POWs

Disaster at Dieppe

Military blunder (1942)
A failed attempt to relieve pressure on Russia by assaulting the French coast.

Japanese Internment

Canada's high Asian population caused tension.
22,000 Japanese living in BC during WWII.
14,000 were born in Canada, speaking English as their first language.
The relocation/internment of the Japanese citizens to camps after Pearl Harbor and the War.

Japan Surrenders

The war was still not over - Japan still fought USA in the Pacific .
Tactics: island hopping.
VS. Kamikaze
Truman Project
The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Japan surrendered (VJ Day, August 15, 1945) on the USS Missouri.

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Test your knowledge on Japan's role in the League of Nations and key historical events from the Russo-Japanese War to World War II. Explore significant actions, responses, and strategies during these pivotal moments in history.