The cause of WW2 L2 Flashcards
how did the treaty of Versailles influence ww2
The harsh terms of the treaty were intended to make Germany powerless: accept total blame for WW1 reduced military reparations of $33 billion loss of territory
Economic impact on Germany
To pay back its debts, Germany borrowed lots of money from the USA, then printed more German marks to pay off these loans.
As more marks went into circulation, each one became worthless
This is called hyperinflation
What was the rise of totalitarianism
- The economic crisis of the great depression led to social and political upheaval around the world.
- this led to the rise of extreme politics- who later become dictators, as people were drawn to powerful leaders who promised to solve these problems.
- They created totalitarian states that would put the state before anything else, including individual rights
- examples include, USSR, Italy and Germany
How were communists in the soviet union
1917-communists took control of the soviet union
1924-joseph Stalin became the leader of the USSR.
1927-start of 5 years plan to modernize USSR, seizing private land and starting huge industrial projects.
What were Gulags
forced labour camps
What was the Great Purge
millions executed or sent to forced labour camps where they died of starvation and overwork.
What is Fascism
A far-right-wing system of government based on extreme nationalism and an unquestioning acceptance of a dictators rule.
it includes characteristics like extreme nationalism, dictatorship, relies on military power to maintain control, uses propaganda to convince the public that is aims are valid, selects scapegoats to balms the countries problems.
What was Fascism like in Italy (talk about Mussolini
The political ideology of fascism originates with Benito Mussolini, who became dictator of Italy in 1922.
1922- “March on Rome”: Mussolini’s private army, the “black shirts” took over Italy government.
-He brought all communications, industry and agriculture under his control.
-created a totalitarian dictatorship in Italy
What did Mussolini call himself
II duce meaning the leader
What was the Nuremberg law
it targeted jews, who were forced to wear the Star of David and were forced out of many profession
What was kristallnacht
translated to “ the night of broken glass”- Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses were attacked.
what was a part of Hitler’s plan
German expansionism- Because Germany had lost territory after WW1 to several countries, he believed the land belonged to the German people, many Germans were living in new countries such as Poland, Czecholoskavia, and Austria.
What was the Annexation of Austria
March 1938, German troops entered Austria and were greeted enthusiastically by the Austrians.
- it was a clear violation of the treaty and it was the first step toward Hitler achieving his imperialistic goals.
When and who were the AXIS powers
In 1937. Germany, Italy and Japan agreed not to go to war with each other.
What was the policy of Appeasement
The British PM Neville Chamberlin was eager to avoid war and made an agreement with Hitler at Munich. This reflected a widespread belief that German demands were reasonable and could be satisfied.
Hitler however saw this as a sign of weakening and believed that the united kingdom would never be willing to fight.
