Axis Agression Overseas
MAnchuria
WHere IS MAnchuria?
Manchuria, China:
OVerview
In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, China, and set up a puppet state of Manchukuo. On September 18th, 1931, near Mukden (now Shenyang), Manchuria, China, a bomb had detonated near a Japanese-owned railway track, damaging neither the track nor the train which passed over it minutes later. However, the Japanese government blamed the Chinese for the bombing and ordered the invasion of Manchuria. In all likelihood the bomb was planted by a Japanese person with or without orders from the government. Japanese soldiers marched into Mukden and the surrounding areas (particularly around the railroad), creating the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo.
Aftermath
The League of Nations sent a strident protest to the Japanese government ordering resolution and a withdrawal of Japanese troops. Japan rejected the proposal and showed the world how ineffective the League could be. However, after withdrawing from the League in March 1933 and the poorly justified invasion, Japan lost what few allies it had (until negotiations with Germany and Italy commenced.)
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Ethiopia
Where is Ethiopia?
Ethiopia, Africa:
Overview
On October 3rd, 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) citing a border incident, which killed two Italians. Mussolini had rejected any and all offers to mediate the situation showing that it was simply an excuse. Early that day, the Italian army marched into Ethiopia from Eritrea, without a declaration of war.
The Italian army quickly pressed back the large, but badly outdated Ethiopian army. Most Ethiopian soldiers had little training and severely outdated weaponry (some were even armed with spears and bows) and the Italian army had single-digit numbers of aircraft and tanks. On the other hand, the Italian army was one of the most powerful modern armies. After a counterattack by the Ethiopians, the Italian forces steadily conquered Ethiopia. In May 1936, the capitol fell and the Italian king was proclaimed the Emperor of Italy. A formal surrender soon followed.
The Italian army quickly pressed back the large, but badly outdated Ethiopian army. Most Ethiopian soldiers had little training and severely outdated weaponry (some were even armed with spears and bows) and the Italian army had single-digit numbers of aircraft and tanks. On the other hand, the Italian army was one of the most powerful modern armies. After a counterattack by the Ethiopians, the Italian forces steadily conquered Ethiopia. In May 1936, the capitol fell and the Italian king was proclaimed the Emperor of Italy. A formal surrender soon followed.
Aftermath
The Invasion of Ethiopia further eroded the League of Nation's reputation: it was becoming a joke. Italian war crimes including the bombing of civilians, attacks on hospitals, the killing of rebel prisoners, and chemical weaponry (violated the 1925 Geneva Protocol) were largely ignored across the world. Mussolini himself had authorized many of these, but nothing was done about it. In Ethiopia, many felt that those same nations who were ignoring them now would soon regret it.
"It is us today. It will be you tomorrow." ~ Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia
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China
Invasion
On July 7th, 1937, the first shots were exchanged between Japanese and Chinese soldiers at the Marco Polo Bridge. Japan used the incident to justify a full-scale invasion of China. At first, they advanced without opposition. This changed after Japanese soldiers killed 250,000 civilians during "the Rape of Nanjing." Now, China unified. The communist and nationalist who had previously been fighting each other temporarily ceased fire and fought the Japanese. By the end of the year, Japan had capture almost all it would get. The communist guerrilla fighters and the nationalist government soldiers had halted the Japanese.
Japanese OCcupation
Japan controlled a million Chinese and many major cities (territorial control shown above in pink). They were not very benevolent conquers: they killed, burned, looted, and tortured. The Three Alls Policy (which may or may not have been true) ordered the three alls: Kill All, Loot All, Burn All. Chemical and bacteriological warfare were used against Chinese cities, against international convention.
Albania
Where is Albania?
Albania, Europe:
Overview
On April 7th, 1939, Italian soldiers crossed into Albania with the intention to conquer. Benito Mussolini was jealous of Nazi Adolf Hitler's successes (Czechoslovakia and Austria) and hoped to rectify a failed invasion during World War I. After several major skirmishes, the Parliament elected to dispose their king who had went into hiding at the beginning of the conflict and to put Italian King Victor Emmanuel III on the throne instead.
AFtermath
The former ambassador to Albania would rule on the behalf of their new king and bring the territory into the World War on his behest. Albania would participate in several military actions during World War II, as their military was merged with the Italian one and several "Blackshirt" paramilitary divisions were created as well. Albania would remain under Italian control until the end of World War II, despite the efforts of freedom fighters.