Causes of World War Two Flashcards
Where did Hitler set out his vision for the future of Germany?
In his book Mein Kampf
What do many historians believe about Mein Kampf?
The ideas in it provided a plan for the things he did in the 1930s.
What are some points made in Mein Kampf?
- Thre Treaty of Versailles must be cancelled and land taken from Germany must be reutrned.
- All people of Germany blood (including many in Austria and Czechoslovakia) must be allowed to live in Greater Germany.
- We demand living space (‘Lebensraum’) for our people in the east.
- The Germans are the ‘Master Race’.
What are some points made in Mein Kampf?
- Thre Treaty of Versailles must be cancelled and land taken from Germany must be reutrned.
- All people of German blood including many in Austria and Czechoslovakia) must be allowed to live in Greater Germany.
- We demand living space (“Lebensraum’)
for our people in the east. - The Germans are the ‘Master Race’.
What did Hitler do with re-armament?
1933
Within days of becoming leader Hitler began to build up Germany’s armed forces. At first this was done in secret, but from 1935 the Nazis no longer tried to hide their plans for re-armament. German re-armament was against the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, but Hitler chose to ignore the treaty.
What did Hitler do with conscription?
1936
Hitler introduced conscriptiom. Every German man now had to spend time in the army, nay or air force.
Whatdid Hitler do with the Rhineland?
In March 1936, German troops were sent to re-occupy the Rhineland. The Treaty of Versailles had not allowed any German forces into this area in order to give France a buffer against another invasion. Hitler chose to ignore the Treaty.
What did Hitler do with the Spanish civil war?
1937
Hitler helped the Spanish dictator, Franco, to win the civil war in Spain. Some historians think that Hitler used the Spanish Civil War to test out his new weapons and aircraft.
What did Hitler do with Austria?
March 1938
Hitler demanded that Austria should be joined with Germany. This was forbidden by the Treaty of Verdsailles, but Hitler ignored the Treaty. German troops entered Austria unchallenged.
What did Hitler do with the Sudetenland?
September 1938
Hitler declared that he was prepared to occupy rhe Sudetenland, a part of Czecho-slovakia, in order to protect the German-speaking people living there. Britain and France agreed that Germany could take over the Sudetenland as long as Hitler promised not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia. This was known as the Munich agreement.
What did Hitler do with the rest of Czechoslovakia?
March 1939
Hitler ignored the Munich agreement by invading the rest of Czechoslovakia.
What did Hitler do with Poland?
September 1939
Hitler demanded that Poland returned the Polish Corridor and the port of Danzig to Germany. He claimed that this land should not have been taken away from Germany by the Treaty. On 1 September German troops invaded Poland.
