23 THe Postwar erra

Question 1

Munich Agreement in 1938

Answer 1

The Munich Agreement, appeasing Hitler’s territorial demands by allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia, demonstrated the policy of appeasement pursued by Britain and France.

Question 2

Poland in 1939

Answer 2

September 17: Soviet Union invades eastern Poland, in accordance with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the USSR.

Question 3

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Answer 3

The Treaty of Versailles ended World War I and imposed harsh penalties on Germany. These included significant territorial losses, disarmament, and hefty reparations. The economic hardships and national humiliation stemming from these terms laid the groundwork for German resentment and the rise of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime.

Question 4

Economic Depression

Answer 4

The Great Depression, beginning with the 1929 stock market crash in the United States, had a profound global impact. Economic instability, widespread unemployment, and poverty created fertile ground for political unrest, extremist ideologies, and aggressive nationalism.

Question 5

Failure of League of Nations

Answer 5

The League of Nations, established after World War I to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts, failed to effectively address and deter aggression by militaristic and expansionist powers. Its inability to enforce collective security and its lack of authority undermined its credibility and effectiveness.

Question 6

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

Answer 6

Fascism in Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, promoted extreme nationalism, anti-communism, and authoritarian governance. Similarly, Nazism in Germany, under Adolf Hitler, combined fascist principles with racial ideology, targeting Jews and other minorities. In Japan, militarism prevailed, with the military gaining significant influence over the government and pursuing expansionist policies in Asia.

Question 7

Hitler in 1933

Answer 7

Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany, marking the beginning of the Nazi regime and the erosion of democracy and civil liberties in Germany.

Question 8

Start of war in 1939

Answer 8

September 1: Germany invades Poland, marking the official start of WWII and leading Britain and France to declare war on Germany.

Question 9

Britian in 1940

Answer 9

July-October: The Battle of Britain sees the Royal Air Force successfully defending Britain against German Luftwaffe attacks, preventing a German invasion.

Question 10

Mussolini in 1936

Answer 10

Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia showcased the aggressive expansionist policies of fascist Italy and highlighted the ineffectiveness of international efforts to maintain peace.

Question 11

Spread of Germany in 1940

Answer 11

April-June: Germany invades Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France, achieving rapid victories through Blitzkrieg tactics.

Question 12

Operation Barbosa in 1941

Answer 12

June: Germany invades the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa, aiming to conquer Soviet territory and eliminate communism.

Question 13

Yugoslavia in 1941

Answer 13

Attacked by Italy and Germany

Question 14

Pearl Harbor in 1941

Answer 14

December 7: Japan launches a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, crippling the US Pacific Fleet and leading the USA to enter WWII.

Question 15

US joins the war in 1941

Answer 15

December 8: The USA declares war on Japan, marking its entry into the Pacific War and the global conflict. Soon after the USA declares war on Germany and Italy.

Question 16

Japanese Conquest in 1941 and 1942

Answer 16

December: Japanese invade Philippines. Hong Kong surrenders on Christmas Day.
Japan takes Singapore and East Indies.
U. S. troops forced to surrender on Bataan – Death March
Doolittle Raid on Tokyo
Battle of Coral Sea and The Battle of Midway sees the US Navy decisively defeating the Imperial Japanese Navy, turning the tide of the Pacific War.

Question 17

Battle of Stalingrad of 1942

Answer 17

The Battle of Stalingrad, a brutal urban battle, ends with the Soviet Union successfully defending the city and marking a major turning point on the Eastern Front.

Question 18

Casablanca Conference in 1943

Answer 18

Casablanca Conference – Roosevelt, Churchill and De Gaulle meet to formulate plan to assault Hitler’s Europe.

Question 19

Africa in 1943

Answer 19

Axis Surrenders in N. Africa – May 1943

Question 20

Italy in 1943

Answer 20

July: Allies invade Sicily and Italy, leading to the fall of Mussolini’s regime and Italy’s eventual surrender to the Allies. Sicily won and Italy surrenders.

Question 21

Leningrad in 1944

Answer 21

German siege of Leningrad ends

Question 22

Rome in 1944

Answer 22

Rome is liberated

Question 23

D-Day in 1944

Answer 23

June 6: D-Day – the invasion of Europe by the Allies is begun.

Question 24

Paris in 1944

Answer 24

August – Paris liberated

Question 25

Battle of the Bulge in 1944

Answer 25

December – Battle of the Bulge

Question 26

Yalta Conference in 1945

Answer 26

The Yalta Conference, attended by Allied leaders, outlines plans for post-war Europe and the establishment of the United Nations.

Question 27

Rhine River in 1945

Answer 27

Allies cross the Rhine into Germany

Question 28

Berlin in 1945

Answer 28

Russians march into Berlin

Question 29

Mussolini in 1945

Answer 29

Mussolini captured and executed

Question 30

Hitler in 1945

Answer 30

Hitler commits suicide ☺

Question 31

Churchill in 1945

Answer 31

Churchill loses election and is replaced

Question 32

Russian war On Japan in 1945

Answer 32

Russia declares war on Japan

Question 33

Hiroshima in 1945

Answer 33

August 6th – Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima

Question 34

Nagasaki in 1945

Answer 34

August 9th – Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki

Question 35

End of the war in 1945

Answer 35

August 14th – Japan surrenders and WWII officially ends.