Week 3 Flashcards
What were the weaknesses of the League of Nations.
USA didn’t join and America wanted to return to their isolationist position and not become caught up in the world’s affairs.
The League had no armed forces of its own having little power to force members to comply.
It failed in its central aim of preventing WW2.
Japan, Germany, Italy and the USSR terminated their membership
Where and when was Hitler born?
The Austrian village of Braunau in 1889
Describe Hitler’s childhood.
Close to mother but had bad relationship with father who died when Hitler was 13
Showed early academic promise in primary school but dropped out of high school at 16 to study art.
He was rejected twice by the academy of fine arts.
Describe Hitler during WW1.
Became strong believer in German Nationalism
Avoided conscription in Austro-Hungarian army and joined German army in 1914
Was messenger runner at western front
Wounded 1918 at time of armistice
Never promoted above corporal in WW1
Hitler’s key ideologies of influence
Racial purity
Anti-communism
Most importantly, anti-semitism
Define anti-semitism?
Hostility towards and persecution of Jews
Existed in Germany and other European countries long before Nazi party
After WW1, what did Hitler believe?
The “stab-in-the-back” myth (Germany wasn’t defeated in WW1 but betrayed from within by working class and Jews)
Describe the beginnings of politics for Hitler.
Sent to spy on German Workers Party (DAP) but found his ideas blender with theirs and joined
Convinced fellow members to change name to National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi party)
Main beliefs of Nazi party?
To make Germany great again
Believed Aryan Germans were the master race, destined to rule the world
Jews were seen as the greatest threat because of racial differences, economic powers and social values
Define Aryan?
A person of Caucasian race not of Jewish descent. Had blonde hair and blue eyes.
How did Nazis influence German public?
Anti-Semitic propaganda, Jews were portrayed as acting as single unit
Jews were considered weak and polluting and were to be removed from society
Also included Slaves, gypsies and non racial groups, those with disabilities, JWs and homosexuals.
Nazi party’s first attempt to rise to power?
1923, was a disaster as Hitler was charged with treason but received friendly power from court.
Defence based on claim that Hitler had honourable and nationalistic motives
Served 8 months in prison and enjoyed many privileges
He used the time to write a book outlining his ideology, experiences and Nazi plans
Describe the League of Nations.
Established in 1919 as part of the treaty of Versailles
Brainchild of US president Woodrow Wilson
It’s purpose was to settle disputes between nations by imposing sanctions, aiming to prevent war.
How did Hitler violate the terms of the treaty of Versailles?
Increasing the size of the military
Reintroducing conscription (compulsory enlistment in the military service)
Re-establishing an Air Force
Expanding production of weapons and ammunition
1936-invaded the Rhineland
1938-annexed Austria and threatened to invade Czechoslovakia
Describe the failure of appeasement?
Britain and France were desperate to avoid war with Germany
When German troops invaded the Rhineland, Britain and France did nothing, convincing Hitler that they wouldn’t go to war over territorial expansion
Hitler demanded that Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland be returned to Germany so Britain and France said he could have it
He agreed not to take any European territory but invaded Czechoslovakia anyway
