AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Changing balance of power: the ambitions of Italy, Japan and Germany
Full specification wording
2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only) – Attempts at maintaining the peace, 1923–1935: Changing balance of power: the ambitions of Italy, Japan and Germany
Between 1923 and 1935, the global balance of power shifted dramatically as Italy, Japan, and Germany pursued aggressive expansionist ambitions, undermining the post-war settlement.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1923 and 1935, the global balance of power shifted dramatically as Italy, Japan, and Germany pursued aggressive expansionist ambitions, undermining the post-war settlement. Italy, under Mussolini, sought to recreate a Roman Empire in the Mediterranean and Africa, aiming for 'spazio vitale' and prestige. Japan, driven by militarism and economic necessity following the Great Depression, aimed to dominate East Asia, seeking raw materials and living space, culminating in the invasion of Manchuria. Germany, following Hitler's rise to power in 1933, focused on overturning the Treaty of Versailles, rearming, and securing 'Lebensraum' in Eastern Europe. Together, these revisionist ambitions fractured the fragile international order and exposed the weaknesses of democratic powers.
What earns the marks
- Identify Mussolini's desire for 'spazio vitale' and imperial expansion in Africa to boost domestic support and international prestige.
- Explain Japan's economic motivations for expansion into Manchuria, driven by the need for raw materials and markets following the 1929 Wall Street Crash.
- Analyse Hitler's foreign policy aims, specifically the dismantling of the Treaty of Versailles, rearmament, and the pursuit of 'Lebensraum'.
- Evaluate how the combined revisionist ambitions of these three nations shifted the global balance of power away from the League of Nations' leading democracies.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the ambitions of the three powers as identical.
Put it right: Distinguish between Japan's immediate economic drivers, Germany's ideological and territorial aims, and Italy's focus on prestige and Mediterranean dominance.
Assuming Germany was the sole threat to peace before 1935.
Put it right: Acknowledge that Japan and Italy actively destabilised the international order earlier, such as in Manchuria in 1931.
Ignoring the impact of the Great Depression.
Put it right: Explicitly link the economic crisis of the 1930s to the rise of militarism and the acceleration of expansionist ambitions in all three nations.
Exam tips
- Use specific terminology like 'Lebensraum' for Germany and 'spazio vitale' for Italy to demonstrate precise historical knowledge.
- When evaluating the changing balance of power, contrast the growing military strength of these revisionist states with the reluctance of Britain and France to rearm.
- Link the domestic pressures within Italy, Japan, and Germany to their aggressive foreign policy decisions during this period.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only) – Attempts at maintaining the peace, 1923–1935: Changing balance of power: the ambitions of Italy, Japan and Germany lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was a primary foreign policy ambition of Japan during the late 1920s and early 1930s that challenged the existing balance of power?
Listen
Between 1923 and 1935, the global balance of power shifted dramatically as Italy, Japan, and Germany pursued aggressive expansionist ambitions, undermining the post-war settlement. Italy, under Mussolini, sought to recreate a Roman Empire in the Mediterranean and Africa, aiming for 'spazio vitale' and prestige. Japan, driven by militarism and economic necessity following the Great Depression, aimed to dominate East Asia, seeking raw materials and living space, culminating in the invasion of Manchuria. Germany, following Hitler's rise to power in 1933, focused on overturning the Treaty of Versailles, rearming, and securing 'Lebensraum' in Eastern Europe. Together, these revisionist ambitions fractured the fragile international order and exposed the weaknesses of democratic powers. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify Mussolini's desire for 'spazio vitale' and imperial expansion in Africa to boost domestic support and international prestige. Explain Japan's economic motivations for expansion into Manchuria, driven by the need for raw materials and markets following the 1929 Wall Street Crash. Analyse Hitler's foreign policy aims, specifically the dismantling of the Treaty of Versailles, rearmament, and the pursuit of 'Lebensraum'. Evaluate how the combined revisionist ambitions of these three nations shifted the global balance of power away from the League of Nations' leading democracies. A common slip: Treating the ambitions of the three powers as identical. Instead, distinguish between Japan's immediate economic drivers, Germany's ideological and territorial aims, and Italy's focus on prestige and Mediterranean dominance. Exam tip: Use specific terminology like 'Lebensraum' for Germany and 'spazio vitale' for Italy to demonstrate precise historical knowledge.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Wall Street Crash drives Japan's economic need for expansion
- 2. Hitler rises to power in Germany
- 3. Japan invades Manchuria, destabilising the international order
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Revisionism and the post-war settlement
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Militarism and authoritarianism
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Economic crisis and foreign policy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
The shifting global balance of power
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Revisionism and the post-war settlement
- The pursuit of aggressive expansionist ambitions by Italy, Japan and Germany undermined the post-war settlement and fractured the fragile international order.
- Militarism and authoritarianism
- Japan was driven by militarism, while Germany under Hitler focused on overturning the Treaty of Versailles and rearming.
- Economic crisis and foreign policy
- Japan was driven by economic necessity following the Great Depression, aiming to dominate East Asia and seeking raw materials and living space.
- The shifting global balance of power
- The combined revisionist ambitions of these three nations shifted the global balance of power away from the League of Nations' leading democracies.
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