World War 2

Question 1

Briefly describe what the treaty of Versailles was and when it was signed

Answer 1

Formally ending ww1, Germany took responsibility - pay financial reparations, demilitarised, lost territory - gave up colonies and had to sign a war guilt clause.
Signed on: June 28th, 1919

Question 2

Identify some of the ways Germany was punished by the Treaty of Versailles
Two economic conditions
Two military provisions
Two territorial provisions
‘War guilt’: Germany had to…

Answer 2

Economic:
required to pay 48 billion/war reparations, Lost key territory which produced much of the raw materials which Germany’s economy depended on
Military:
no longer allowed to have an air force, the german navy was not allowed any submarines or large battleships
army reduced to 100,000 men no tanks
Territorial:
Germany required to hand over all their colonies
lost Alsace-Lorraine to France
Germany had to sign the war guilt clause taking responsibility for the allied losses

Question 3

Reasons why the Treaty of Versailles can be seen to create ww2

Answer 3

left the german economy in ruins, people starving, the government in chaos, out of anger, thought it was a dictated peace, the treaty was unjustified

Question 4

Reasons why the Great Depression helped Hitler rise to power

Answer 4

people were angry, frightened, financially struggling so open to more extreme political system - fascism, communism, promise and hope of revitalisation, he people of Germany sought to find blame for the economic ills of the country. These so-called November Criminals, the Democratic government that replaced the military dictatorship of WW1, would abandon the requirements of the TOV.

Question 5

What was the Nazi idea of lebensraum?

Answer 5

“living space” the concept of territorial expansion, the inferior races that occupied regions must be removed

Question 6

Why did the Nazis target Jews?

Answer 6

antisemitism, Jews betraying Germany during ww1, social Darwinism, Jews being stingy with their money and greedy, responsible for killing Christ, propaganda - films, posters seen as rats and vermin

Question 7

List some aspects of the Nazi ideology

Answer 7

antisemitism, fuhrer - united under one leader, autarky - self-sufficient and not relying on any other countries, lebensraum, Germany in danger - Jews communists, strong Germany - united under one nation

Question 8

Explain some of the ways that Jews were persecuted by the Nazis

Answer 8

Nuremberg laws, the boycott of Jewish-owned businesses, propaganda, breaking into Jewish homes - violence, businesses would be labelled with Jew or Star of David so they’re recognisable, the boycott of doctors and lawyers, not allowed to join civil service and army, Jewish children prohibited from state schools, synagogues destroyed, book burning, vandalism, Kristallnacht

Question 9

How did the Nazis use propaganda to target Jews?

Answer 9

pictures, perceptions and sterotypes of them, the Star of David, hammer and sickle - greedy capitalists, communist traitors, British flag - perceived loyalty to Britain

Question 10

Explain what the British and French policy of appeasement was

Answer 10

the policy of making concessions to the dictatorial powers in order to avoid conflict, governed Anglo-French foreign policy during the 1930s.

Question 11

Give one example of the policy of appeasement being used

Answer 11

Anglo-German naval agreement

Question 12

Explain how this policy of appeasment helped Germany become more aggressive towards other nations

Answer 12

germany rose to power, Hitler carried out actions against the Treaty of Versailles, the lack of will to fight confirmed Hitler wouldn’t be challenged as he expanded which grew his aggression - Germany being able to against TOV and gain land, soldiers, materials and weapons

Question 13

Outline what Japan’s territory and resource ambitions were in Asia and how these caused conflict

Answer 13

conflict: competing interests for resources between Japan and the US
rapidly seize European colonies in Asia to create a large defensive perimeter stretching into the central pacific, exploit resources of Southeast Asia and gain control of raw materials ie oil, rubber

Question 14

Outline what Japan’s race ambitions were in Asia and how these caused conflict

Answer 14

Japan saw itself as the superior race in Asia, this caused conflict as Japan was determined to displace the US as the dominant pacific power

Question 15

Outline what Japan’s treaties and resource ambitions were in Asia and how these caused conflict

Answer 15

conflict: caused competition between the US
Japan’s foreign policy, the need for resources, desire for economic security, military taking control

Question 16

Explain why Japan attacked Pearl Harbour

Answer 16

preventative action - prevent US pacific fleet from interfering with its planned military actions in Southeast Asia

Question 17

Put these events into the correct chronological order:
German surrender in ww2
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour
Japanese surrender in ww2
Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
The start of the Great Depression
Kokoda campaign
Atomic bombing of Nagasaki
Japanese invasion of Manchuria
German invasion of Poland
Fall of Singapore
Kristallnacht

Answer 17

Signing of Treaty of Versailles
The start of the Great Depression
Japanese invasion of Manchuria (China)
Nazis come to power
Kristallnacht
German invasion of Poland
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Fall of Singapore
Kokoda Campaign
German surrender in WW2
Atomic bombing of Nagasaki
Japanese surrender in WW2

Question 18

How did ww2 affect life for the aboriginals on the homefront in Australia

Answer 18

among first to enlist in the war, experienced, discrimination - tightened entry into war, an entrenched white Australia policy, pacific war - atsi people recruited for their knowledge

Question 19

How did ww2 affect life for the women on the homefront in Australia?

Answer 19

left the domestic sphere to work and contribute to military roles and to fill vacant places the men left, given more opportunities, felt more liberated in their role to country and society, felt empowered to make changes - pressure on women to leave the house

Question 20

Why was censorship used by the government in the aftermath of the bombing of Darwin?

Answer 20

information doesn’t fall into enemy hands, maintain high morale at home, control publicity and free expression to prevent a rebellion, too much information would help enemy attack

Question 21

Describe the main features of labour camps

Answer 21

forced labour, foreign and eastern people were deported into these camps, seen as inadequate -inmates were temporary, disregard of health for prisoners, death rates extremely high

Question 22

Describe the main features of death camps

Answer 22

mass murder, gas chambers, beating, poor conditions, starving, crimes tried to be covered up, homosexuals, women, Jews, children, communists etc made up the general populace

Question 23

Describe the main features of ghettos

Answer 23

incarceration of prisoners in segregated and blocked-off areas, overcrowded, starvation, decimated by disease,
In accordance with German instructions, each ghetto was administered by a Jewish council called a Judenrat. The Judenrat was responsible for health, food distribution, employment and public order within the ghetto. It was also responsible for implementing German orders – including finally, the registration, assembling and deportation of Jews to extermination camps. The Judenrat became, involuntarily, a cog in the process of destruction.
Thrown back on their own resources, and despite the high death rate and the apparent hopelessness of their situation, the ghettos developed an intense intellectual life. Through their religious observance, political debate, education, theatre and music, the ghettos maintained a commitment to civilisation in the midst of barbarism.

Question 24

Pros for the issue of dropping atomic weapons on Japan

Answer 24

more rapid victory, prevent the deaths of more Americans, end/cut the war short, avoid a US invasion of Japan, bombs saved property and further damages to the allies, bombs saved money - war isn’t cheap, led to the world making treaty to ban nuclear weapons