Origins and Outbreak of WW2 Flashcards
Why was there a rise in extremist dictatorship?
The Great Depression caused a lot of havoc. People welcomed a strong government who promised to put things right, leading to a rise of dictators. They also relied on them for protection against the communist revolution, and the expansion of countries. This lead to leaders such as Hitler’s popularity skyrocketing
What were the effects of the Great Depression?
- vast unemployment
- homelessness
- starvation
- lack of trust in the government
- demands for change
What caused the Great Depression?
October 1929: Wall Street Crash and all loans that the US had given out were called for immediate repayment
What were Hitler’s aims?
- Lebensraum
- Overturn Versailles
- Unite German Speakers (Volksdeutche)
- Destroy communism
- Rearmament
What was lebensraum?
German term for ‘living space’; to get the land he wanted, Hitler would have to invade other countries - an act of war
What was volksdeutche?
Uniting German speakers, it included Anschluss
What was Anschluss?
Reuniting Germany and Austria
What acronym could be used to remember Hitler’s aims?
LOUDER
What happened at the 1933 Rearmament conference?
Hitler claimed that he will disarm if everyone else did. When France disagreed, Hitler stormed out and pulled Germany out of the League
Who was the Austrian Chancellor in 1934?
Englebert Dollfuss
What did Dolfuss do to avoid Anschluss?
Banned the Nazi party in Austria
What was the Dolfuss affair?
Hitler ordered the Austrian Nazis to wreck havoc and they assasinated Dolfuss, because he banned the Nazi Party in Austria
When was the Saarland plebiscite held?
13 January 1935
What were the results of the Saarland plebiscite?
90% voted to rejoin Germany over France, which Hitler used as propoganda
When did Hitler announce that he had rebuilt the German army?
March 1935
What else did Hitler announce at the same time as announcing the reintroduction of the German Army?
- he reintroduced conscription
- he built the luftwaffe