Italian and German expansion Flashcards
What were Hitler’s key ideological goals for German expansion?
Lebensraum (living space), rearmament, and uniting all German-speaking peoples under one Reich.
What was the significance of the remilitarization of the Rhineland in 1936?
It was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles, a key step in German rearmament, and showed the weakness of the League of Nations and the policy of appeasement.
What was the Anschluss and why was it important?
The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938. It marked the first step in Hitler’s expansionist aims, strengthening Germany’s military and economic position.
How did appeasement influence German expansion in the 1930s?
Britain and France allowed Germany to expand, avoiding confrontation and emboldening Hitler to pursue further territorial gains, such as in Czechoslovakia and Poland.
What was the Munich Agreement (1938) and its impact on Germany’s actions?
The agreement allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of no further expansion. It showed the failure of appeasement and encouraged further aggression.
What was the Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the USSR in 1939?
A pact that allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, dividing Eastern Europe between the two countries.
Why did Mussolini invade Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935?
To expand Italy’s empire, gain resources, and strengthen Italy’s international position, while also distracting from domestic issues.
What was the League of Nations’ response to Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia?
The League imposed ineffective sanctions, excluding crucial resources like oil, and failed to stop Italy, highlighting the League’s weakness.
What was the Rome-Berlin Axis (1936)?
An informal political and military alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, strengthening their cooperation and setting the stage for WWII.
What was the Pact of Steel (1939)?
A formal military alliance between Germany and Italy, ensuring mutual support in times of war and deepening the two countries’ cooperation.
How did economic challenges drive German and Italian foreign policies?
Both countries faced economic difficulties, including the Great Depression. Expansionism was seen as a way to secure resources, jobs, and economic stability.
How did the actions of Germany and Italy contribute to the outbreak of World War II?
Germany’s invasions of Czechoslovakia and Poland, coupled with Italy’s support and their alliances, escalated tensions. The lack of international response to earlier aggressions emboldened Hitler.
How did the failure of the League of Nations contribute to World War II?
The League’s inability to stop aggressive actions by Germany, Italy, and Japan allowed their expansion to continue unchecked, leading to further aggression and eventually war.
How did the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) affect German and Italian relations?
Germany and Italy both supported the Nationalist forces under Francisco Franco, which strengthened their alliance and gave them military experience and influence in Spain.
What role did Nazi propaganda play in justifying German expansion?
Nazi propaganda portrayed territorial expansion as a means of protecting ethnic Germans and providing Lebensraum, while also fostering national pride and support for Hitler’s aggressive policies.
