World War Two Flashcards
What were Hitler’s aims when he began World War Two?
- Destruction of Treaty of Versailles
- Restoration of pre-WW1 boundaries and lebensraum (living room)
- Union of German speaking peoples
How did Hitler destroy the Treaty of Versailles?
1935: introduced conscription
How did Hitler restore pre-WW1 boundaries and create lebensraum?
Rhineland remilitarised, March 1936
Munich Agreement gave Sudetenland to Germany, September 1938
How did Hitler unite German speaking peoples
Anschluss, March 1938
Build up to World War Two?
March 1939: invaded a non German speaking country - Czechoslovakia
1 September 1939: invaded Poland, Britain and France declared War
What was Germany’s initial victory?
Defeated Poland in a matter of weeks through Blitzkreig. Gained access to raw materials, and received Russian aid from the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
Why was it initially known as the Phoney War?
No attack on the Western front until May 1940.
Unbeknownst to them, Germany did want to destroy France and pressure Britain into an alliance.
What happened to France?
Battle of France, May-June 1940: Germany defeated France.
Hitler now ruled from Paris to Warsaw, and was surrounded by friendly powers (Spain, Italy, USSR)
What happened in the Battle of Britain?
Hitler wanted to negotiate with Churchill, but he refused. Therefore, Hitler aimed to secure air superiority to defeat them (there was no way that Britain would lose a naval battle)
However, Germany lost significantly in 1940 - and this was cemented by Hitler’s decision to focus on the USSR.
What was Operation Barbarossa?
June 1941 Invade USSR with Blitzkrieg.
November 1941 Germany occupied Moscow to Leningrad.
What was the reason for Germany’s initial success (until 1941)?
- Poland fought alone
- Blitzkrieg overwhelmed enemies
- France’s Marginot Line strategy was powerless against Blitzkrieg
- German’s initial expansion gave access to resources
- USSR was taken by surprise, as they were convinced Germany was loyal due to the Nazi Soviet Pact
When did problems start to arise for Germany?
December 1941 Pearl Harbour globalised the Conflict - America and Japan were now involved.
1942: Britain showed their supremacy in North Africa.
1943: surrender at Stalingrad
1943: Soviets reconquered Ukraine in Battle of Kursk.
30 April 1945 Soviets enter Berlin, Hitler kills himself.
7 May 1945 Germany surrenders
What happened to Polish Jews when Poland was occupied?
September 1939 Hitler set out on a harsh racial struggle against the 3 million Polish Jews
The SS executed 16,000 there in Poland.
1939-41: Ghettos set up in Poland.
Spring 1940: Ghettos sealed. Food supplied reduced, sanitation declined (cases of tuberculosis) and 100,000 died from the cold by 1941
What happened to Russian Jews when Russia was occupied?
June 1941: SS rounded up Jews and Communists,. They killed 300,000 in total
When was the Final solution ordered?
January 1941 - Himmler given a Fuhrer order to solve the Jewish Question
October 1941 - Eichmann began transporting Jews from ghettos.
September 1941 - practice gassings began
What was the Wannsee Conference?
A meeting on 20 January 1942, that decided the fate of the Jews.
Extermination subsequently began in 1942: Auschwitz, Treblinka and Sobibor set up.
6 million Jews were murdered.
What happened to Gypsies?
They were seen as ‘subhuman’ and deported to camps in Poland.
An estimated 225,000 to 500,000 were killed.
What were the living standards like on the Home Front?
- Rationing of food and basics from the start
- People were well fed until 1944
- Furniture sales fell by 40%
- Clothes were in short supply
- Production of luxuries like sweets were altogether stopped
What happened to workers during the War?
- Non essential industries conscription
- Bonus and overtime payments reintroduced
- Income tax raised
- 12 hour working days
- Skilled labour was in short supply
- Foreign labour relied on
What happened to Peasants during the War?
- Conscription
- Forced labour from Eastern Europe helped out. Benefitted as they were self sufficient
What happened to women during the War?
-Conscription from 1943
-> women 60% of workforce
The NSF (National Women’s Association) said that “a woman’s home is in the kitchen, but we must serve wherever we can best do so”
What happened to youth during the War?
1943 formal exams stopped
1944 school stopped altogether
Compulsory membership of Hitler Youth (1939) alienated Edelweiss Pirates. Its members were rounded up and had their heads shaven.
What happened to bombing during the War?
- 400,000 killed
- 36m homes destroyed
What were the evidences of resistance during the War
Communist cells in large cities (like the Uhrig Circle in Berlin) were discovered.
Operation Valykrie attempted to assassinate Hitler in 1941.
White Rose Group distributed leaflets throughout the war, but was found by the Gestapo and its five members were executed in 1943.
Bishop Bonhoeffer offered assistance to the Kreisau Circle - behind Operation Valkyrie!
