Question
Which countries were invaded by Germany, Italy and Japan before the beginning of the Second World War. Why did other countries not check their aggressions ?
Solution
1. German acquisition: In March 1936 Germany occupied Rhineland but no western power intervened.
2. Japan's acquisitions: Japan occupied Manchuria in 1931 and established there its puppet government. Some years later Japan invaded China with full vigour but no other country came to China's help.
3. Italy's acquisition: In October 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia and despite League's protests annexed it.
The other countries hoped that these invasions would ultimately be directed against U.S.S.R. They did not want U.S.S.R. to emerge as a super power. So they followed a policy of appeasement towards the aggressors.
