Class Note 3 Flashcards
Discontent of Germany (1)
The terms of the Treaty of Versailles were very harsh to Germany. Germany was discontent that it had to bear the sole responsibility of the First World War, Germans wanted to take revenge on the various countries
Discontent of Germany (2)
The Germans refused to support the democratic government of Germany as it accepted the harsh treaty, all of the above led to the rise of totalitarianism
Discontent of Germany (3)
European countries, especially Germany, had to face post-war economic difficulties. As a defeated country, Germany was forced to pay heavy indemnity and give up many territories, as a result, trade in Germany dropped seriously; unemployment rose sharply and there was serious recession
Discontent of Italy (1)
Italy was a member of Central Powers before the First World War. However, it joined the Allied Powers later on as Britain and France
Discontent of Italy (2)
However, the victorious powers were discontent with the performance of Italy during the war. Italy failed to get what it wanted at the Paris Peace Conference. Therefore, Italy was very discontent with the settlement made by the various powers
Discontent of Italy (3)
The war destroyed the economy of Italy seriously, many people turned to support totalitarianism
The Great Depression
After the First World War, the US became very rich
It was the largest creditor and power in the world
USA lent a large sum of money to Britain and France (to pay the war indemnity)
In late October 1929 the stock market in Wall Street crashed and this led to the economic recession
The US stopped making overseas investments, but demanded its debtors to repay their loans
Britain and France asked Germany to pay war reparation
This was how the economic recession in the USA turned into the Great Depression
Features of totalitarianism
One party dictatorship
Supremacy of the state
Control of life and thinking
Military rule and foreign aggression
Complete control of the economy
Italy’s form of totalitarianism
Fascism (1922-1943)
Germany’s form of totalitarianism
Nazism (1933-1945)
Reverse the Treaty of Versailles Reunion with Austria Germans were the master race of the world Other races were inferior To gain more living space Create a greater Germany
Japan’s form of totalitarianism
Militarism (1942-1945)
Fascism in Italy
Mussolini formed a political party in 1921 and led a march to Rome to seize power in 1922, and started invading other countries such as Africa
Nazism in Germany (1)
Hitler promoted Pan-Germanism and would like to unite all brilliant Germans. He also adopted genocide policy on the Jews.
Nazism in Germany (2)
In 1933, Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany and became the President (leader) in the next year. He abolished the Treaty of Versailles, and started invading foreign countries.
Aggressions of Japan, Italy and Germany
Japan Shenyang incident 1931
Italy Invasion of Abyssinia 1935
Germany Rearmament 1935
Germany Re-stationing of army in the Rhineland 1936
Japan Lugouqiao Incident 1937
Japan Italy and Germany The formation of Axis Powers Military alliance (Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis)
Germany Annexation of Austria March 1938
Germany Occupation of Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia 1938-1939
Japan Shenyang Incident 1931
No reaction
They were more concerned about the problems of Europe
Italy Invasion of Abyssinia
Britain and France requested Abyssinia to cede 2/3 territory to Italy
To prevent Italy from allying with Germany
Germany Rearmament 1935
Britain and France felt regretful for this. But Britain allowed the German navy to expand equally to 35% of the British navy
Britain thought that was the sovereign right of Germany. And Hitler promised not to challenge Britain
Germany Re-stationing of army in the Rhineland 1936
No reaction
Britain thought that was the sovereign right of Germany. France was not willing to take action alone
Japan Lugouqiao Incident 1937
No reaction
they were more concerned about the situation of Europe
Japan Italy and Germany The formation of Axis Powers Military Alliance (Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis) November 1937
No reaction
Germany Annexation of Austria March 1938
No reaction
Britain thought the Treaty of Versailles was a mistake and the two countries had been one united country before
Germany Occupation of the Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia 1938-39
They reached the Munich Agreement with Germany
To sacrifice the interests of small countries in return of peace in Europe
What is the Appeasement Policy
Appeasement policy means giving someone or some countries what they want in order to prevent war
Reasons for the Appeasement policy
Fear of another war
Britain and France needed more time to recover their economy
Germany had good reasons to expand
Should join with Germany to fight against communist USSR
What about the US? (1)
Since the establishment of the United States in the late 18th century, it had adopted isolationism. In the 1920s, as long as the international situation did not harm the benefits of the US, it avoided getting involved in the European affairs.
What about the US? (2)
The US became very prosperous after the First World War, however, during the 1930s, the US mainly focused on solving the problems brought about by the Great Depression, as the US would like to solve the domestic problems first, so it set aside the international affairs during that period
What about the Soviet Union?
The Soviet Union was willing to join British and France in order to fight against Germany at the beginning, but Britain and France adopted appeasement policy which encouraged the expansion of Germany. As a result, Stalin signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact with Germany in 1939. They agreed to divide Poland between themselves. The Soviet Union aimed at making the place a buffer zone to ease the pressing threat of national security. However, this lead to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Outbreak of the war
In September 1939, Germany started invading Poland, Britain and France declared war to Germany and the Second World War began afterwards
Europe camps
Axis Powers
Germany, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland
Allied Powers
Britain, France, Soviet Union, Poland, Holland, Belgium, Greece
