Key Issue 3

Question 1

What was the stab in the back” myth?

Answer 1

This myth developed after WW1
Germany had been betrayed by a group of weak, unpatriotic politicians
Myth gained popularity, giving rise to the thinking that if the war had not really been lost then the peace settlement was unnecessary and should be overturned

Question 2

What was lebensraum?

Answer 2

Living space for German people, especially in eastern Europe

Question 3

What was appeasement?

Answer 3

The policy of Britain and France that saw them making pacts and deals with the dictators in order to satisfy their demands without going to war

Question 4

When did Britain declare war on Germany?

Answer 4

3rd September 1939

Question 5

Main causes of the WW2

Answer 5

• The peace treaties 1919-23
• The failure of the LoN
• Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy
• Appeasement
• Nazi-Soviet Pact
• German invasion of Poland

Question 6

What was the Nazi-Soviet pact?

Answer 6

An agreement between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.
Non aggression pact
In effect it sealed the fate of Poland
Germany could now attack Poland without facing the Soviets

Question 7

Consequences of the peace treaties

Answer 7

• Nations were extremely dissatisfied
• Germany had rebuilt after the harshness of the TOV
• Hitler promised to destroy the treaty

Question 8

What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Japan

Answer 8

Japan withdrew from the League
Moved closer to Hitler and Mussolini through the Anti-Comintern pact
Invasion of Manchuria encouraged Italy and Germany to invade

Question 9

What was the Anti-Comintern pact?

Answer 9

Agreement between Japan and Germany (and Italy)
Disguised as an effort to combat the influence of the Communist International
Intended to serve as a military alliance aimed at the Soviet Union

Question 10

What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Italy

Answer 10

Italy was able to invade Abyssinia
Suez Canal had not been closed
Encouraged Hitler to destroy the TOV

Question 11

What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Disarmament

Answer 11

At the Disarmament conference 1932-33, Germans stated they would disarm if every nation disarmed
French did not accept, giving Hitler the excuse he needed
Hitler rearmed and left the League

Question 12

What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Appeasement

Answer 12

Britain and France both adopted a policy of appeasement towards the dictators as a means of controlling peace

Question 13

What were Hitler’s foreign policies?

Answer 13

• Destroy the TOV
• Create a greater Germany
• Bolshevism – destroy communism
• Acquire Lebensraum
• Create a central European Empire

Question 14

Hitler’s Foreign Policy - Destroy the TOV

Answer 14

• Disarmament clause would be broken by introducing conscription and building up German armed forces
• Rhineland would be remilitarise, strengthening Germany’s western frontier
• Territory lost under the TOV would be regained
• Uniting with Austria

Question 15

Hitler’s Foreign Policy - Create a greater Germany

Answer 15

All German-speaking peoples were to be brought into a german empire

Question 16

Hitler’s Foreign Policy - Bolshevism

Answer 16

Hiter was anti-communist

He believed the Bolsheviks were responsible for Germany’s defeat in WW1

Question 17

How would Lebensraum be achieved?

Answer 17

This would be achieved by expansion eastwards into Poland and Soviet Russia