World Events Set Stage for Isolationism

1. What was the Japanese reaction to the Treaty of Versailles? (pgs. 4 - 5)
Some believed they should join the League of Nations in order to obtain some of the economic resources they needed, but many thought that the League of Nations would keep Japan a second-tier power, and that the larger nations would never treat Japan respectfully as equals. They were victims of a lot of racism, and demanded that an amendment be passed to prohibit racism and discrimination in the League of Nations, but it was not passed, and Japan was outraged, and many Japanese turned away from the West.

2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?

Japan began to base its military and economy on other successful nations, and its success increased greatly. Its gross domestic service tripled, and its mining and manufacturing increased by six times. It then proceeded to gain more territory. in 1910, it annexed Korea, and in 1914, it waged war on Germany with intentions of moving in on China. Japan's interest in China conflicted with the interests of other powers, particularly Great Britain and the United States. From Japan's perspective, U.S. expansion into the Pacific Ocean posed a threat to its own expansion.

3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)

The Washington Naval Conference was convened because Japan's naval growth threatened U.S. interests, and they wanted to avoid a naval arms race. The nine nations that attended agreed to limit the size of naval ships, place a moratorium on building new battleships, outlawed the use of poison gases, and limited the role of submarines in future wars. They also affirmed China's sovereignty and created a policy of open trade with China. Finally, they agreed to settle issues about the Pacific Ocean by submitting them to a committee for resolution.

4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
Americans didn't forget the damage that World War I had caused, and desperately wanted to avoid being dragged into another war like it. Also, policy-makers still resisted obligations of permanent alliances and wanted to be able to do what they want, where they want.

5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)

Hitler enjoyed popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s because he improved the German economic situation and reduced the unemployment rate. Also, he restored pride for the Germans, which they had lost after their defeat in World War I and their punishment after it. Also, he defied the Treaty of Versailles and began to expand German power again.

6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)

Japanese voiced its intentions to invade China in order to obtain the raw materials it had to offer and to expand its power.

7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?

The Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria were both very similar. They were both used as an excuse for the Nazis and for Japan to act as they wanted. The fire was used as an excuse for the Nazis to act and eliminate rights and freedoms in Germany. The explosion was used as an excuse for Japan to invade China, because the incident was blamed on the Chinese.

8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)

The U.S. was unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s because it had drastically reduced the size of its military after World War I.

9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism. (pg. 8)

Liberal democracy had a constitution, and was based on the rights and freedoms of the people. It has elected representatives that make decisions based on those rights and freedoms for the people. Fascism is based on government power over the economy, and it emphasizes the government's power over the people. Socialism also involved the government taking power over the economy and the people, but its goal was to create a classless society, and make the people "equal" to each other.