The Causes Of World War II Flashcards
1
Q
Hitler’s aims
A
- Overturn Treaty of Versailles
- Defeat communism (the USSR)
- Gain Lebensraum
- Rearm Germany
2
Q
Rearmament
A
By 1933 - army = 300,000 men. - aircrafts = 1,000
By 1935 - publically anounced that conscription would work again. - 550,000 army - 2,500 aircrafts
3
Q
Saar Plebiscite 1935
A
- Saar taken away in the Treaty of Versailles.
- Wanted it back because it had many raw materials.
- A referendum was held to decide which country it should belong.
- 90% voted to return to Germany.
- 7 weeks after it returned ro Germany.
4
Q
Re-militarisation of the Rhineland 1936
A
- Hitler marched his army into the Rhineland.
- In 1936 because the League was dealing with Abyssinia.
- France couldn’t afford war at that moment.
- Britains said that Germans were entering their own country.
- He learnt that France wouldn’t stop him and that Britain were sympathetic for them because of the Treaty of Versailles.
5
Q
Anchluss with Austria 1938
A
- Anchluss = political joining
- Hitler ordered the Nazi party to stir up trouble and to make propaganda.
- Hitler not sure he would win in the referendum so prostponed the voting
- Finally 99% voted to joing Germany.
6
Q
The Sudetenland 1938
A
- Hitler told Heinlein to cause trouble.
- He would use this as an excuse saying that the Czechs could not deal with this alone.
- there were 2 risks : 1. Czechoslovakia very good army 2. France and the USSR were their allies.
7
Q
Appeasement
A
- Agreeing to Hitler’s demands in order to prevent a war.
8
Q
Munich Conference - 29th September 1938
A
- France, Britain, Germany and Italy present.
- They agreed that the Sudetenland should be given to Germany.
9
Q
The Nazi-Soviet pact
A
- Agreed that the USSR would stay neutral if Germany attacked Poland.
- Secretly they agreed to separate Poland in two.
- USSR did not trust Britain or France so signed this treaty to ptotect himself (also from Hitler)
