Conflict and Tension: 1919-39: The Origins and Outbreak of WW2 Flashcards
What were the effects of the Depression?
- vast unemployment
- lack of trust in the government
- demands for change
- homelessness
- starvation
How did the Depression catalyse the rise of dictators?
- People wanted strong governments who promised to put things right
- protection against the communist revolution
- protection against the expansion of countries
What were Hitler’s aims?
- Lebensraum and Volksdeutche, both of which aimed to expand German territory
- Overturn Versailles
- Destroy Communism
- Rearmament
Describe the Dollfuss affair
- Engelbert Dollfuss was the dictator of Austria
- Dollfuss refused to let Austria become part of Germany
- This led to multiple terrorist attacks from the Austrian Nazis, but Dollfuss continued to refuse to commit to Anschluss
- In July 1934 a group of Austrian Nazis staged a poorly organised coup and killed Dollfuss. They took control of the government buildings which were soon restored control of once the Italian troops got involved
What did the Dollfuss affair teach Hitler?
- that he needed support from allies, e.g.: Mussolini
- he needed to properly rearm
- Germany was not yet powerful enough to expand its territory
- that he was still vulnerable to attacks
Why was the Saar returned to Germany in 1935?
As a part of the ToV, the people of the Saar would be offered a plebiscite to decide whether they wanted to stay in France or Germany. 90% voted for Germany, which Hitler used as propoganda
Describe the rearmament parade that Hitler held in March 1935
Hitler announced that he had rebuilt the German army and reintroduced conscription and the air force
How many soldiers did Hitler have by 1939?
1 million
What was agreed in the Anglo-German naval agreement?
That Hitler could rebuild his navy up to 35% that of Britain’s
Describe the Stresa Front and when it happened
- April 1935
- Countries Italy, France and Britain condemned German rearmament so they formed a mutual agreement to uphold their territorial boundaries and stop Germany from further undermining the ToV
Which area did Hitler send troops into in 1936 that was meant to be demilitarised?
Rhineland
What did Hitler show the world he had during the Spanish Civil War which was against the ToV?
An Air Force
Describe the Rome-Berlin Axis and state when it took place
- 1936
- informal agreement between Mussolini and Hitler to working together more
Describe the Anti-Comintern pact and state when it took place
- Germany, Japan and Italy signed a pact against communists, neither country would enter an alliance with a communist country
Which country did Hitler take over as part of Anschluss in 1938?
Austria