The Origins and Outbreak of WW2

Question 1

Who was Adolf Hitler?

Answer 1

He came into power in Germany in 1933, and eventually became the Fuhrer (leader) of Germany.

Question 2

What were Hitler’s three foreign policy aims?

Answer 2

1. Destroy Communism
2. Overturn the Treaty of Versailles
3. Gain Lebensraum (living space in Eastern Europe)

Question 3

What does foreign policy mean?

Answer 3

Actions you take outside of your country.

Question 4

In what ways did Hitler overturn the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 4

Rearmament- He introduced conscription and built a Luftwaffe (air force), all of which was forbidden by the TOV.

Question 5

What does ‘Anschluss’ mean?

Answer 5

Uniting Germany and Austria.

Question 6

What is the term ‘communism’ also known as?

Answer 6

Bolshevism.

Question 7

What is the ‘policy of appeasement?’

Answer 7

It is when you give into some of the demands of a country, in hopes that they will not be aggressive any further.

Question 8

Which country used a policy of appeasement against Hitler?

Answer 8

Britain – Neville Chamberlain, the PM.

Question 9

How did France react to Hitler’s foreign policies?

Answer 9

France was occupied by their own problems, due to the Depression, and did not have time to focus on Hitler.

Question 10

How did the USSR react to Hitler’s foreign policies?

Answer 10

The USSR was very concerned with Hitler, especially because Hitler wanted to destroy communism.

Question 11

What was the Dollfuss Affair?

Answer 11

 Austrian Chancellor. Dollfuss banned the Nazi party in Austria ]
 In 1934, Hitler responded by telling Austrian Nazis to cause havoc in Austria
 The Austrian Nazis ended up killing Dolfuss
 Hitler’s plan to reunite with Austria failed because the Austrian army supported Dollfuss and the government.
 Mussolini also threatened war on Hitler if he created Anschluss (union with
Austria)

Question 12

What was the Anglo-German Naval Agreement?

Answer 12

In June 1935, Britain signed an agreement with Germany, allowing Hitler to build his navy to 35% of the size of the British one.

Question 13

When did Hitler reoccupy the Rhineland?

Answer 13

March 1936.

Question 14

Why did Hitler want troops in the Rhineland?

Answer 14

It borders France and is a natural defence against invasion.

Question 15

Why did Hitler want to reunite with Austria?

Answer 15

Austria had previously ruled Germany for 600 years and had a similar culture and language.
Anschluss would also get Hitler closer to Lebensraum.

Question 16

How did Britain react to Anschluss?

Answer 16

Most people in Britain felt that Austria and Germany were similar and should be allowed to unite, but some disapproved.

Question 17

How did Czechoslovakia respond to Anschluss?

Answer 17

They felt afraid, as they feared Hitler might take them over next.

Question 18

Why did Hitler target the Sudetenland?

Answer 18

The Sudetenland was seen as the first step to destroy Czechoslovakia, containing forts and railways that could be used to attack.

Question 19

What did Hitler demand in 1938?

Answer 19

1. The Czechoslovakian army must leave the Sudetenland.
2. Hitler promised peace in Europe in return for the Sudetenland.

Question 20

Why didn’t anyone stop Hitler from invading the Sudetenland?

Answer 20

The Allies were not happy but felt they couldn’t do anything about it and did not want to get involved in another war.

Question 21

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

Answer 21

When Poland was created at the end of WW1.
It had been made up of Russian and German territories.
Stalin was interested in reclaiming this land and Hitler wanted to keep an eye on
him, which is why they both made an agreement.
The pact said that Hitler and Stalin would split Poland between themselves

Question 22

Why did Germany want Poland?

Answer 22

Hitler had already taken over Czechoslovakia, and Poland was the next step to achieve Lebensraum.

Question 23

What was the significance of the Nazi-Soviet pact?

Answer 23

It made war inevitable.

Question 24

When did Hitler invade Poland?

Answer 24

1939.

Question 25

What happened after Poland was invaded?

Answer 25

All other countries declared war on Germany and WW2 began.

Question 26

What were the causes of WW2?

Answer 26

1. The Depression
2. Failure of the LON
3. Hitler was to blame
4. Treaty of Versailles
5. Appeasement
6. Nazi-Soviet pact.

Question 27

How long was WW2?

Answer 27

1939-1945.