* Reoccupation of the Rhineland: In 1936, Germany sent troops into the Rhineland, a region that had been demilitarized under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. This action violated the treaty and was seen as a major threat to European peace.
* Anschluss: In 1938, Germany annexed Austria in a bloodless coup. The Anschluss was a clear violation of international law and increased fears that Germany was planning further territorial expansions.
* Sudetenland Crisis: In 1938, Germany demanded the cession of the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia that was predominantly inhabited by ethnic Germans. The Sudetenland Crisis led to the Munich Agreement, which allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland. However, the Munich Agreement was widely seen as a appeasement of Germany and only emboldened Hitler to further aggression.
Italy's actions:
* Invasion of Ethiopia: In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia, a member of the League of Nations. The invasion was widely condemned by the international community and led to economic sanctions against Italy.
* Spanish Civil War: Italy provided significant military support to the Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War, which began in 1936. The Italian intervention helped the Nationalists to win the war and establish a fascist regime in Spain.
* Pact of Steel: In 1939, Italy and Germany signed the Pact of Steel, a military alliance that effectively tied the two countries together. The Pact of Steel was seen as a major threat to the balance of power in Europe.
The actions of Germany and Italy created a growing sense of crisis in Europe and led to requests for the League of Nations to intervene. However, the League was unable to take effective action to stop the aggression of the Axis powers.