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Manchuria
During the 1930's, Japan had control over Manchuria's railway. A year into their maintenance, they claimed that the Chinese had invaded and sabotaged their railway. After, the Japanese had attacked and killed thousands of Chinese soldiers and even innocent civilians. The League of nations soon stepped in and said that Japan was in the wrong, and wanted to give Manchuria to China. Japan obviously voted against it and ended up invading and attacking China again.
https://www.johndclare.net/EL5.htm -
Ethiopia
A fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, wanted to expand German territories, just like Hitler.Mussolini claimed that his policies of expansion were not different from that of other colonial powers in Africa.The aim of invading Ethiopia was to boost Italian national prestige. Mussolini saw it as an opportunity to provide land for unemployed Italians and also acquire more mineral resources to fight off the effects of the Great Depression www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/ww2-italy-invades-ethiopia -
Germany's Rearmament
Hitler publicly announced his intentions to rebuild the German air force, reinstate conscription (the draft), and rearm the nation.These were not violations of the Treaty of Versailles but purely “defensive” measures. He stated how Germany wanted and needed peace to be present. Warning, “Whoever lights the torch of war in Europe can wish for nothing but chaos.”
https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-7/rearming-germany -
Spanish Civil War
This was a military revolt against the Republican government of Spain, supported by conservative elements within the country. Spain suffered great isolation during Franco's dictatorship. He erupted into civil war. Soon in the 1970s Franco appointed Prince Juan Carlos as his successor. Instead of following his steps, Juan Carlos helped Spain return to democracy.
https://www.donquijote.org/spanish-culture/history/spanish-civil-war/ -
Anschluss/Union
Hitler wanted to plan a union with Austria. He wanted to reunite all German-speaking people and put them in one country. The Austrian Nazis held parades set buildings on fire, let off bombs and organised fights. Since their government banned them, Hitler threatened to invade Austria unless Schuschnigg gave important jobs in his government to Nazis.
Having succeeded in gaining Austria, Hitler then used similar tactics to gain area of Czechoslovakia
www.historyonthenet.com/nazi-germany-anschluss -
Invasion of Poland
The German invasion of Poland was a primer on how Hitler intended to wage war–what would become the “blitzkrieg” strategy. Once the German forces had plowed their way through, devastating a swath of territory, infantry moved in, picking off any remaining resistance. Hitler was already setting up SS “Death’s Head” regiments to terrorize the populace. Polish forces were under equipped and Germany had taken over.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland -
Czechoslovakia
Adolf Hitler along with many other dictators signed the Munich Pact. Although the agreement was to give into Hitler’s hands only the Sudetenland, it also handed over to the Nazi war machine 66 percent of Czechoslovakia’s coal. The Czech nation was left vulnerable to complete German domination. By evening, Hitler made a triumphant entry into Prague. The Munich Pact, was actually a mere negotiating ploy by the Hitler.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nazis-take-czechoslovakia -
Rising of Mussolini/Fascism in Italy
Mussolini’s first act as prime minister was to demand special emergency powers allowing him to rig elections in the Fascists’ favor. In 1926, Fascists created a youth group called the Opera Nazionale Balilla, pressuring children to join. Fascists owned 66 percent of the newspapers and controlled reporting, issuing daily editorial guidelines and threatening editors with arrest.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/benito-mussolini