History Flashcards
How long did World War 2 last for and during which years?
6 years, from 1939 to 1945
How many people died in WW2?
60 million, including 6 million Jews.
What was the Cold War and how long did it las for?
The Cold War refers to the political hostility that existed between the USSR and the USA (involving both of their allies). It lasted from 1945 to 1990 and was characterised by threats, propaganda, and public competition. It did not involve any direct military combat or fighting.
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
28th June 1919.
How many people died and were wounded in WW1?
8 million soldiers and sailors died, and a further 21 million were wounded.
Who were the four dominating powers at the singing of the Treaty of Versailles?
Britain: David Lloyd George
France: Georges Clemenceau
America: Woodrow Wilson
Italy: Vittorio Orlando
What were the different ideas for what the Treaty of Versailles should ensure?
The French had suffered greatly and wanted revenge as compensation for the damage they were caused. They wanted to weaken the Germans so they would never be able to fight again. America wanted to achieve peace and to punish Germany, but not so harshly that one day they would want their own revenge.
How did the German public feel about the Treaty of Versailles?
Almost everyone was strongly opposed to it, but the government signed anyway because if they didn’t the Allies would invade Germany.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
1) Germany had to surrender territory seized in WW1 and its colonies.
2) A limit of 100 000 men, of whom were mostly volunteers. Could not posses an airforce, tanks, submarines, or heavy artillery.
3) Accept full responsibility for the war and pay reparations, which would now be worth $526 billion Australian dollars.
4) Germany’s allies also had to pay reparations and their borders were redrawn to make new empires, like Czechoslovakia.
What was the League of Nations?
International organisation formed at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to maintain world peace and prevent the outbreak of another war. 42 countries joined (including Australia). Made countries negotiate with each other instead of engaging in combat. At its peak, 58 countries joined.
Why did the League of Nations fail?
- The USA never joined.
- The organisation relied on participating countries to provide soldiers for an army.
- They only met 4 times a year.
- The only real tactic they had was to stop countries from trading with each other, which arguing countries could easily ignore the order of.
What developments occurred during the 1920s?
• Production of cars and household appliances rose.
• Machinery and assembly lines meant that mass production was easier. This meant that automobiles etc were no longer luxury items only the rich could afford.
Toasters, vacuum cleaners, electric lighting, and refrigerators were in high demand.
• The radio was was invented, bringing the Age of Jazz.
• Hollywood was created & 1st ever sound film was made.
• Woman could show more skin & could go out without a chaperone.
• Women were expected to work.
• Aboriginal children were stolen from their families.
• Aboriginals were “educated” and “taught how to act” by Australians.
When did the Great Depression Occur?
The late 1920s
What was the main cause of the Great Depression?
Collapse of the New York stock exchange in 1929.
What were some world-wide occurrences that happened before the Great Depression, when the world economy began to slow?
Work became harder to find, unemployment rose, companies mass-producing could no longer find people to buy their products, agricultural products (wool, crops, timber) reduced in markets.
Why did the New York stock exchange collapse?
A number of shareholders began to lose faith in it, people sold their shares and prices fell rapidly.
What happened to Australia during the Great Depression? (Statistics)
- Because of America’s fall, 2/3 of all world trading stopped, and as Australia was heavily reliant on other countries this meant that we had no resources.
- Almost overnight 50 000 Australians were made redundant
- By 1932, 32% of all Australians were unemployed.
What happened to Australia during the Great Depression?
Non-statistics
People lost their home, men left families & took to the road to find work, women took in male borders and made them pay rent, boys spent days gambling, daughters tried amateur prostitution. Petty theft rose. Soup kitchens and charities tried to feed everyone but ultimately failed.
What was the susso?
A government-provided relief in the form of sustenance payments - in the form of food rations of coupons. Only the most desperate people were on the susso, but by the end of 1932, more than 60 000 people were relying on it.
What were the basic causes of WW2?
- Germans hated the Treaty of Versailles
- Rise of Adolf Hitler & the Nazi party in Germany
- Actions of Germany in the 1930s, like breaking the terms of the treaty.
- TRIGGER: Invasion of Poland on 1st September 1939
What happened in the years after WW2?
Many European cities were in ruins, traditional imperial powers Britain and France were severely weakened. Economic and political power of the USA and Soviet Union increased dramatically. These two nations became the new Britain and France.
What happened to old empires/colonies?
They became independent.
How was WW2 ended?
Bombing of atomic bombs by America on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
How did Australia change after WW2?
We became a multi-cultural country. Many people moved countries to escape the past and start a new life.
