Unit 7.6 - Causes of WWII

Question 1

The causes of WWII lay in the…

Answer 1

unresolved issues in the aftermath of WWI

Question 2

Major causes of WWII

Answer 2

Economic instability, unsustainable peace settlements, the rise of Fascism, and territorial expansion (Italy, Germany)

Question 3

Examples of how Treaty of Versailles weakened the German people

Answer 3

The Weimar Republic, which replaced the kaiser after WWI, was seen as weak and incapable of solving any problems in the eyes of the German people already weakened by economic instability because of the war reparations their country had to pay

Question 4

Mein Kampf

Answer 4

“My Struggle” book by Hitler about anti-Semitism

Question 5

Nazis

Answer 5

The National Socialist German Worker’s Party

Question 6

How the Burning of the Reichstag helped the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany

Answer 6

By staging a burning of their parliament building, the Nazis were able to make citizens think they were in a state of emergency and got rid of any resistance towards them so that they could take over the government

Question 7

Scientific Racism

Answer 7

Pseudoscientific theory that some races were genetically superior to others

Question 8

How anti-Semitism helped the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany

Answer 8

Jews were Germany’s scapegoat, they were a way Germans could find someone to blame their situation on and take their anger out on them by supporting the Nazis and their actions

Question 9

How Nuremberg Laws helped the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany

Answer 9

Started to oppress and discriminate against the Jews, taking away their rights to marry gentiles and to be a citizen of Germany

Question 10

How Kristallnacht helped the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany

Answer 10

Also staged by the Nazis “the Night of Broken Glass’ served as the first revolt against Jews who were blamed for the assassination of a German diplomat which was in line with the Nazi’s interests and goals

Question 11

Rome-Berlin Axis

Answer 11

The alliance between Germany and Italy because they shared the common need for military support and political/economic ideals

Question 12

Anti-Comintern Pact

Answer 12

Alliance between Germany and China who both distrusted communism

Question 13

Three areas Germany expanded into before WWII

Answer 13

Rhineland, Austria, and Czechslovakia

Question 14

Response of European powers to Germany’s expansion

Answer 14

Appeasement

Question 15

Appeasement

Answer 15

Giving into someone’s demands in hopes of keeping peace

Question 16

Asian power that greatly expanding its territory in the 1930s, resulting in war

Answer 16

Japan (expanding into Korea/China but launched a full invasion into China, starting their war)

Question 17

Why was the Treaty of Versailles a great cause of WWII than military expansion?

Answer 17

It led to German anger against how weak they became as a result of the Treaty of Versailles which led to Hitler coming into power and then expanding through the military. Just like with WWI, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was a short-term cause but long before that, unease and anger had already been simmering.

Question 18

Neille Chamberlain

Answer 18

British Prime Minister who believed appeasing would satisfy Hitler’s desire for land

Question 19

Three areas Germany expanded into before WWII

Answer 19

Rhineland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia