International Conflicts and Events: 1870-1939

Posted on Mar 8, 2025 in History

League of Nations

  • Manchurian Crisis (1931): Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, leading to its occupation and the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo.
  • Abyssinian Crisis (1935): Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), leading to international condemnation and sanctions.
  • Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): Internal conflict in Spain between Republicans and Nationalists, with foreign intervention and the testing of the principle of non-intervention.
  • Failure to Prevent German Rearmament: Germany’s rearmament in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, highlighting the League’s inability to enforce disarmament and collective security.
  • Failure to Address Japanese Aggression: Japan’s continued aggression in East Asia, including the occupation of additional Chinese territories.

International Relations

  • Rise of Totalitarian Regimes: The consolidation of power by fascist and authoritarian regimes, particularly in Germany, Italy, and Japan, challenging the existing world order.
  • Great Depression (1929-1939): Global economic downturn leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and political instability, impacting international relations and contributing to the rise of extremism.
  • Appeasement Policy: Western powers’ policy of appeasement towards expansionist powers, notably Nazi Germany, in an attempt to avoid conflict and maintain peace.
  • Failure of Disarmament Efforts: Disarmament conferences and treaties failed to prevent the rearmament of major powers, leading to an arms race and increased tensions.
  • Impact of the Spanish Civil War: The Spanish Civil War served as a testing ground for new military tactics and ideologies, drawing in volunteers and support from various international factions.
  • Japanese Expansion in Asia: Continued Japanese expansion in China and Southeast Asia, leading to further international tensions and conflicts.
  • Anschluss (1938): Germany’s annexation of Austria, violating the Treaty of Versailles and marking a significant escalation of territorial expansion.
  • Munich Agreement (1938): Agreement between Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, allowing the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia in the name of appeasement.
  • Kristallnacht (1938): Widespread anti-Jewish pogroms in Nazi Germany, signaling the escalation of anti-Semitic policies and actions.
  • Soviet Non-Aggression Pact with Germany (1939): Signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, leading to the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II.

Empire and Emergence of World Power (1870-1919)

  • Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871): Conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, leading to the unification of Germany and the end of the Second French Empire.
  • Berlin Conference (1884-1885): Meeting of European powers to formalize the Scramble for Africa and establish the rules for colonization and trade in Africa.
  • Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): War between China and Japan over influence in Korea, resulting in Japanese victory and the acquisition of territories.
  • Spanish-American War (1898): Conflict between the United States and Spain, resulting in the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and the acquisition of territories by the United States.
  • Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901): Anti-imperialist uprising in China against foreign influence, particularly by Western powers and Japan.
  • Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Conflict between Russia and Japan over territorial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea, resulting in Japanese victory and the emergence of Japan as a major world power.
  • First Moroccan Crisis (1905-1906): Diplomatic crisis between Germany and France over influence in Morocco, leading to the Algeciras Conference and the consolidation of French control in Morocco.
  • Balkan Wars (1912-1913): Series of conflicts leading to the weakening of the Ottoman Empire and the redrawing of borders in the Balkans.
  • Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914): Event in Sarajevo that triggered the outbreak of World War I.
  • Outbreak of World War I (1914-1918): Global conflict involving major world powers, leading to significant geopolitical and social changes, and the collapse of several empires, including the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German, and Russian empires.
  • Treaty of Versailles (1919): Peace treaty that officially ended World War I, leading to the redrawing of borders, the establishment of the League of Nations, and imposing heavy penalties on Germany.