World War Ii

World War Ii

Now unrestrained by the recommendations of the League of Nations, Japan continued its intrusion onto Chinese soil. By 1937 Japan had moved military forces onto Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, as well as other regions of China. By 1940, Japanese seizure of territory had spread to deep inside Southeast Asia and even parts of Australia (World War II Commemoration, 2). Also in 1940, the Triparte Pact was signed, allying Japan, Germany, and Italy into a powerful force that stretched halfway around the planet. The association with Hitler and Germany unified the war in the Pacific and the war in Europe. Japan was now fully involved in what came to be known as World War II. As warfare raged in the Pacific Rim, a chain of events was unfolded that would produce catastrophic results (Negria, 32). The Treaty of Versailles of 1919 held Germany fully accountable for the tragedy of World War I. The nation was stripped of large areas of land; it’s armaments, as well as its dignity. In addition, the reparations that were to be paid to the allied nations virtually destroyed the economy of Germany. The resentment of the Treaty burned in the hearts and minds of Germans for years afterward (Granastein, 42). In 1933, a man by the name of Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany after working his way up the ladder of government. By speaking against the Treaty of Versailles and making promises of a better life to the German people, Hitler gained the support of his fellow countryman, and he easily won the election. Almost immediately after Hitler took steps to eliminate all opposition, including political parties and anyone else who spoke out against him (Negri, 33). The death of President Hindenburg in 1934 clinched his high standing, and he, in effect became dictator of Germany. Hitler held the titles of Head of State, Commander in Chief of Germany military forces, Chancellor, and Chief of the Nazi Party (Byrne, B1). There was no question of his supremacy, With his empire...

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