World War 2 Flashcards
What did the Treaty of Versailles have to do with the start of WW2?
The harsh terms that Germany had to comply, as well as the lack of appreciation showed to Japan made both countries angry
What happened in the 1920’s, especially in Germany?
The economic situation was terrible, it was the Great Depression
When did Hitler become chairman of a political party?
- The party fought against communism, and promised to gte rid of democracy
What did Hitler believe about the end of WW1?
That Germany hadn’t lost, that they had been betrayed by the German politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles. He thought of it as unfinished business and promised to end it. He ignored information about the fact that German soldiers had admitted defeat, and that Germany didn’t have enough money to continue war, which was why it ended
What was the Weimar republic?
A new democratic government established in Germany, just before the end of WW1, which was very unpopular as it was blamed for Germany’s loss in WW1
What was the Nazi Party’s private army known as?
The stormtroopers, or the brownshirts
What happened to the Nazi party in 1932?
It became the largest party in Germany
When did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
1933
When did Hitler become supreme leader of Germany?
1934, when the previous president, Hindenburg, died, and Hitler became both Chancellor and President.
What is the Third Reich?
The Nazi party’s reign, Hitler called it the Third Reich, saying it would be such a strong empire it would last 1000 years. It lasted 12
What happened to those who were disloyal to the Nazi party regime?
They suffered severe punishments, often torture and time in internment or concentration camps
When did WW2 start?
1939, within 20 years of signing the Treaty of Versailles
What did Germany do in 1936-1939?
Built up their army, which was against the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and regained territory lost in WW1
Why didn’t the League of Nations do anything to stop Germany taking land?
For a few reasons, Britain figured they were just taking back what was theirs, and didn’t want to start another was. France wanted to stop them but not alone, and Britain wouldn’t help. They were also trying out a new policy, appeasement.
How did WW2 start?
Germany attacked Poland, which France and Britain had promised to support them, if this happened, so in the September of 1939 France and Britain declared war on Germany.
What happened to the leaders of countries between 1914-1919?
They all changed
How many died in WW2?
Over 70 million
What did the end of WW1 solve?
Nothing
What was the main issue of the Treaty of Versailles?
If Germany didn’t comply to terms, the only solution was war
What did America do after WW1?
Isolate themselves
How many years did Germany and other countries fight for over the reparations they were to pay?
13 years
What was the Reich Starg Fire?
A fire in an important political building in Germany. Hitler said it was the work of communists, which he then persecuted. It is likely that Nazis set the fire, so that they would have a reason to persecute communists
What did Hitler do to the German economy?
He helped ot
Who is Benito Mussolini?
The inventor of fascism, and the dictator of Germany
What did Mussolini expect of Hitler?
As the creator of the government that Hitler used, he expected Hitler to obey him, but Hitler didn’t
Where was WW2 fought?
Europe, Asia, North Africa, the pacific region and all the oceans
Who are the allied powers
France, Britain, Russia, US and countries on their side
Who are the Axis powers?
Germany, Italy and Japan and others on their side
What happened from September 1939-1940?
There were no major battles, it was known as the phony war
What advantage did Germany have, originally going into WW2?
They had many new weapons, military techniques, methods of combat and ways of encrypting messages
What is the Maginot line?
A line of super trenches with massive steel bunkers, 100s of machine guns behind a bulletproof steel plate, lines of barb wire and tank traps, on the border of France and Germany, built to prevent the stale mate of WW1 and to protect their soldiers
How did Germany bypass the Maginot line?
By going through a thickly forested area
What did France underestimate when making the Maginot line?
The advancement of weapons from 1914-1939
What is Blitzkrieg?
A war tactic employed by the Germans in WW2, with coordinated air and land attacks to overwhelm the enemy
Why did France surrender?
Germany used the Blitzkrieg technique against them, overwhelming them.
What is the holocaust?
The systematic murder and persecution of the Jews.
What is genocide?
The deliberate and systematic extermination of a religious, racial or ethnic group,
How many Jews died?
Over 6 million, more than half of all European Jews
Who else was victimised in the Holocaust?
Gypsies, homosexuals, disabled people and those who challenged authority
What is anti-semitism?
Hostility or prejudice against Jews
What are ghettos?
Buildings built for Jews, with extremely cruel conditions, 800 000 Jews died in them, either from starvation, disease or forced labour.
How many concentration camps were there?
Between 2000 and 8000
What were the two types of concentration camps?
Forced labour and extermination camps
What was the Manhattan project?
A program in USA to develop an atomic bomb
How people where involved in the Manhattan project?
129000
What was the ultimatum issued to Japan about?
It was threatening that if they didn’t surrender, they would face ‘prompt and utter destruction’.
What were the two atomic bombs called?
Little Boy and Fat Man
Why was Australia originally reluctant to go to war?
Its military was in a depleted state
What is the AIF
Australia Imperial Force
How many people did the Australian army consist of before WW1
3000 professionally trained soldiers
What is the CMF?
A voluntary militia(a type of army), the Citizen Military Force, which could only serve Australia
What is the RAAF?
The Royal Australian Air Force
What did the fall of France do to Australia?
It made Australia more active in going to war ect
What did the fall of Singapore do for Australia?
It made the whole population mobilise
What POWs?
Prisoners of war
Where did POW go?
POW camps set up in Europe and in Japanese territory
What is the Geneva convention?
An international agreement on the treatment of POW
What did the Japanese do regarding the Geneva Convention?
They didn’t follow, they treated their prisoners terribly
Why did Australia fight at Kokoda?
They were afraid that they would attack Australia if the Japanese got Papua New Guinea
Who fought at Kokoda?
It was the CMF and the local Papuans, the Maraoubra Force
What did women do in WW2?
They originally took up their traditional roles, but they were encouraged to join the services, but they weren’t allowed to fight or serve out of Australia
Were aboriginals allowed to fight?
There were restrictions, but they were pretty lax, and after the bombing of Darwin were gotten rid of
How many Australians served the armed forces in WW2?
Nearly 1 million, and about half served over seas
When was conscription introduced?
1943, in Oz
What did the National Security Act do?
Allow the media to be censored, and say what they wanted it to, to detain enemy aliens and ban groups opposing to war
Why were mail and phone calls censored?
To make sure military information didn’t get to the enemy
When was Darwin bombed?
1942
How many enemy aliens were interned?
About 7000
What male jobs did women take up!
Things like truck and taxi drivers, and tram conductors
