Question

1935 mussolini invades ethiopia. usa congress passes first of 3 neutrality acts. 1936 german troops invade the rhineland. 1937 japan invades china. 1938 hitler plans to absorb austria and czechoslolvakia into the third reich. munich conference is held. 1939 franco becomes the spanish dictator. 17. why did britain and france take no action against italian aggression? 18. why did isolationists want these laws passed? 19. what were some of the effects of appeasing hitler after his invasion of the rhineland? 20. what were the immediate results of his invasion? 21. why was the munich conference unsuccessful? 22. how did other countries help francos nationalist forces bring about the collapse of republican resistance?

Explanation:

1. Britain and France avoided action due to post-WWI war fatigue, economic instability, a desire to avoid conflict, and overestimation of Italian military strength. They also prioritized appeasement to preserve peace.
2. Isolationists wanted the Neutrality Acts to keep the U.S. out of foreign conflicts, believing involvement in WWI was a mistake and focusing on domestic issues instead.
3. Appeasing Hitler after the Rhineland invasion emboldened him to pursue more aggressive territorial expansions, weakened the League of Nations' credibility, and eroded collective security in Europe.
4. Japan's 1937 invasion of China led to widespread civilian casualties (e.g., Nanjing Massacre), large-scale displacement of Chinese citizens, and the start of full-scale war in the Asia-Pacific region.
5. The Munich Conference failed because appeasement did not satisfy Hitler's expansionist goals; he soon occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia, proving concessions only encouraged further aggression.
6. Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy provided Franco's forces with military equipment, troops, and air support, while the Soviet Union's aid to Republicans was limited. Western powers' non-interference also let Franco's forces gain the upper hand.

Answer:

1. Post-WWI war fatigue, appeasement policy, and overestimation of Italian military power led Britain and France to avoid action.
2. Isolationists wanted the laws to keep the U.S. out of foreign wars and focus on domestic affairs.
3. It emboldened Hitler's aggression, weakened the League of Nations, and undermined European collective security.
4. Immediate results included mass civilian casualties, the Nanjing Massacre, and full-scale war in China.
5. It failed because Hitler continued expanding, occupying all of Czechoslovakia soon after the conference.
6. Germany and Italy provided military aid (troops, weapons, air support) to Franco, while Western non-interference and limited Soviet aid to Republicans allowed Franco to defeat Republican forces.