World War Two Stuff Flashcards
1
Q
Political and Economic factors which existed after The Treaty of Versailles
A
Political
- Communism in Russia
- Fascism in Italy
- Experimental Democracies (Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia)
- Women and disenfranchised men could vote in some instances.
Economic
- Casualties
- European financial drain
- New map = new laws, tariffs, and trade barriers
- Russian withdrawal
- Colonies
2
Q
Countries discontent with a demanded a revision of The Treaty of Versailles
A
Britain, the United States, and Germany believed the treaty was too harsh. France believed that the treaty wasn’t harsh enough.
3
Q
Factors which pulled Europe into the Great Depression
A
- Financial crisis
- Lack of production and distribution of European goods into the world market
- Lack of strong government leadership (esp. Britain and France)
4
Q
French Occupation of the Ruhr
A
- Germany fails to pay reparation to France, so France and Belgium troops occupy the Ruhr territory of Germany that is rich in mined resources. Germans go on strike under government demands. The government provides compensation, leading to the government printing off so much paper money that it leads to hyperinflation.
5
Q
The Lausanne Conference
A
- Disposed of war burdens and ended reparation debts.
6
Q
Causes and effects of the lack of production and distribution of commodities in the interwar years
A
Causes
- Europe went from creditor to debtor
- WW1 Casualties
- Damaged transportation facilities
- Creation of new European states
Effects
- Widespread unemployment
7
Q
British Response to the Great Depression
A
King George V and PM Ramsey McDonald. The Labour Party becomes the National Government (1931).
8
Q
French Response to the Great Depression
A
The Popular Front (1938): The majority is very liberal and reform-minded. A 40-hour work week is mandated and a 2-week paid vacation is established for all employees.
9
Q
Irish Independence
A
1922
- The Easter Rising of 1916 was brutally surpressed, however the executed leaders of the revolt became martyrs rather than examples.
- Sin Fein (Ourselves Alone) was a radical wing of the independence movement who made up their own Parliament after being deprived of seats in the English Parliament.
- The Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) results in the Anglo-Irish Treaty (1922) which declared Ireland to be a “free state within the British Commonwealth” which creates a civil war between those in favor of the treaty and those opposed.
10
Q
Irish Independence
A
1922
- The Easter Rising of 1916 was brutally surpressed, however the executed leaders of the revolt became martyrs rather than examples.
- Sin Fein (Ourselves Alone) was a radical wing of the independence movement who made up their own Parliament after being deprived of seats in the English Parliament.
- The Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) results in the Anglo-Irish Treaty (1922) which declared Ireland to be a “free state within the British Commonwealth” which creates a civil war between those in favor of the treaty and those opposed.
11
Q
Significance of the USSR in post World War 1 Europe
A
Single most important political development post-WW1. This was a Communist experiment that was designed to cross international borders as the “dictatorship of the proletariate.”
12
Q
Causes and Effects of War Communism
A
Causes
- Confiscated and then operated the banks, transport facilities and heavy industry
- Forcibly requisitioned grain and shipped it from the countryside to feed the army and urban workers
- The need to fight the civil war was used as a justification by the Bolsheviks for suppressing any resistance to these economic policies.
Effects
- The Red Army wins the war.
- Domestic opposition to the Bolsheviks: strikes, resistance against the requisition of grain
- Obvious that the revolution wouldn’t go international – the proletariat itself was opposing the so-called dictatorship of the proletariat! The Soviet Union became a “vast island of revolutionary socialism in a sea of world capitalism.”
13
Q
The NEP (New Economic Policy)
A
- Upon realizing that Marxism was not realistic, Lenin proposed the New Economic Policy which allowed limited private enterprise for small businesses. Not very effective due to a lack of consumer goods.
14
Q
Facts about the Third International
A
AKA The Comintern. This organization established the Russian Soviet model as the true model of Marxism and Communism in order to standardize the cause internationally. Established Russia as the leader of Communism.
15
Q
Facts about the power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin
A
Lenin’s death creates a power vacuum to be filled by Trotsky (led the Bolsheviks into victory during the civil war) and Stalin (secretary of state). Trotsky is a pure Marxist, advocating for an international Communist revolution, rapid industrialization and consolidation of farms. Stalin puts up a more moderate front. Stalin wins.
16
Q
Facts about the 5 Year Plans
A
AKA the Gosplan. Established 1928-1991. A series of five-year plans that set goals for all production in order to rapidly industrialize. Emphasized capital goods over consumer goods.
Results:
- 400% increase in industrial production
- Birth of industrial cities
- Negative social consequences due to lack of consumer goods
17
Q
Facts about Collectivization of Agriculture
A
- Put into place by Stalin
18
Q
Stalin’s Purges
A
Sparked in 1934 with the assassination of a Communist leader. Stalin used this event as an excuse to rid of any threats to his regime, such as peasants resisting collectivization, urban workers, clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Communist party members with growing power. Sent to labor camps called gulags.
19
Q
Facts and Characteristics about Fascism
A
“Strength with unity.” Right-wring, anti-Socialist, anti-Democratic, anti-Semitic, favored single-party rule, favored middle class, very nationalistic.
Leaders:
20
Q
March on Rome
A
Oct. 22-29, 1922. Blackshirts gain support. This causes Victor Emmanuel III’s prime minister to withdraw out of fear, so the king invites Mussolini to take his place.
21
Q
The Lateran Accord of 1929
A
Compromise between the Italian State and the Catholic Church which recognized the Pope as the spiritual head of the Church and the temporal leader of the Vatican City, excused Church from property taxes and established Catholicism as Italy’s official religion
22
Q
Fascist Economics
A
Corporatism – a mix between Socialist and lasseiz-faire economics: a planned economy that allowed some private ownership of capital regulated by the government. Created 22 centralized corporations that specialized in a specific industry (agriculture, mining, transportation, manufacturing, etc.)
23
Q
The Role of Women in Fascist Italy
A
Seen as mothers raiding the new generation of Fascists. Because of the government’s support for large families, women were taken out of the workforce for the most part and contraception and abortion were banned.
24
Q
Economic Pressures in Eastern Europe following WW1
A
- New states weren’t financially independent (except Czechoslavakia)
- Nationalistic antagonism causes states to refuse trade with each other.
- This refused trade led to a dependence on Germany.
- Poor and rural; agricultural export value was declining
25
Ethnic Pressures in Eastern Europe following WW1
1. Collapse of old German, Russian and Austrian empires allow ethnic groups to pursue nationalistic goals unchecked by political authority
2. Minorities sought to join other states or be independent; majorities were unwilling to compromise
3. Except Czechoslovakia, all states succumbed to domestic authoritarian government
26
How Poland came to exist against on the Map of Europe
Restored in 1919. An independent Poland was one of Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points. Constructed from portions governed by Germany, Russia, and Austria, the new Poland was divided with different laws, economies, and experience with electoral institutions. Nationalism couldn't overcome political disagreements.
27
Characteristics of Czechoslovakia in Interwar Years
Only central European successor state without self-imposed authoritarian government, strong industry, substantial middle class, and tradition of liberal values. Tensions between Czechs and Slovaks. (Slovaks tended to be poorer and more rural. There was discontent from about non-Czechs, especially Germans of the Sudetenland.
28
Reasons Hungary Became Authoritatian
- Defeated in WW1. Achieves separation from Austria.
- 1919: Bela Kun establishes the Hungarian Soviet Republic, receiving socialist support. Allies invade to remove the communist danger.
- Horthy is established as a regent for the Habsburg monarch who couldn't return to the throne.
- Lenin forbides further cooperation with communists.
- Hungarians resent the territory lost in the Paris settlement.
- Gömbös pursues anti-Semitic policies and rigged elections. The Gömbös party always controlled Parliament.
29
State of Austria After WW1
- Unstable economy
- Union with Germany forbidden by the Paris settlement.
- During the 1920s, social democrats and Christian socialists contended for power.
- 1933: Engelbert Dollfuss, a Christian Socialist, becomes chancellor and aims to align with the Nazis.
- 1934: Outlaws all parties except for Christian Socialists, agrarians, and paramilitary.
- 1938: Hitler annexes Austria.
30
Dictatorships of Southeast Europe
TBA
31
Facts about the Weimar Republic and Constitution
- Controlled mainly by liberals, Socialists, and Democrats after Wilhelm II's abdication in 1918.
- Fredrich Ebert became the first president and was blamed by German citizens for the negative impacts of WW1.
- Constitution was enlightened in the sense that it provided civil liberties and universal suffrage. However, it was flawed because 1) small radical groups could gain power and 2) the president could appoint a chancellor without vote.
32
Reasons and examples for the lack of popular support of the Weimar Republic
Examples:
- The Ruhr Uprising (March 1920), left-wing strike
- Kapp Putsch (March 1920), right-wing strike
33
Hyperinflation
1923. Caused by reparation costs, borrowing and deficit spending. By November, one US dollar was equivalent to 4.2 trillion marks. This led to desperation.
34
Facts about Hitler's Early Career
- From Austria
- Wanted to be an artist
- Became a WW1 soldier
- Joined the Nazi party in Munich where he was exposed to Anti-Semitic views
35
Facts about the Nazis
- Used the swastika to symbolize strength in unity
- Drafted up 25 Points including the resentment of the Treaty of Versailles and the desire to acquire Alsace and Lorraine
- Form the Brownshirts/Storm Troopers, a militia that attacked Socialists, Communists and Jews
- Nationalistic
36
Similarities between Mussolini and Hitler
1. Seized power through force, but legal means
2. Anti-Marxist, Anti-Semitic, and Anti-Communist
3. Nationalistic
4. Made up militia by recruiting WW1
5. Are WW1 veterans
37
Mein Kampf
"My Struggle" / "The Germany Struggle." Written in prison, Hitler outlined his plan to restore Germany to its orgiinal glory.
Outlined:
- Anti-Semitism
- Superiority of the Aryan race
- Lebensraum
38
Impact of Gustav Stressemann
Became foreign minister of Germany in 1923.
- Abandoned Weimar Republican passive resistance in the Ruhr
- Introduced rentemarks, a new German currency.
- Negotiated the Dawes Plan (1924) which made German reparation payments lower and variable.
39
The Lacarno Agreements
October 1925. Agreement between France and Germany.
1. France keeps Alsace and Lorraine.
2. Germany is granted membership into the League of Nations.
3. France leaves the Rhineland in 1930 (5 years earlier than planned).
EFFECTS:
- Short-lived optimism dubbed "The Spirit of Locarno"
- Britain becomes a mediator
40
How the Nazis came to Power within the Reichstag
Promised employment
41
How Hitler became the Chancellor
Became Chancellor in January 1933.
In 1928, there was a Reichstag Deadlock between Social democrats and moderates, leading President con Hidenburg to rule by decree. Meanwhile, as the Nazi Party grows, Hitler runs for President the next election. Hidenburg wins instead of Hitler, but as Hitler's popularity is growing, Hidenburg allows Hitler to be Chancellor to avoid discontent. When he dies, Hitler combines the offices of President and Chancellor, then continues to rule by decree.
42
Ways in which Hitler consolidated power
1. Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933) - Blamed on a dutch Communist. This gave Hitler justification to abandon civil liberties to protect Germany from international threats
2. Enabling Act - Made constitution a dead letter, outlaws all other political parties.
3. The Night of Long Knives/The Röhm Putsch - Nazis kill political enemies.
43
Phases of Nazi Anti-Semitism
1. Exclusion
2. Racial Legislation
3. The Final Solution: Exploitation and Termination
44
The roles of women in Nazi Germany
Childbearing and natural labor (domestic services, social services, educators to teach children the Nazi way, consumers to buy exclusively German goods)
45
Facts about the Nazi economic policy
Focus: End unemployment and hyperinflation
The Labor Front
- "Strength through Joy," Nazi employees would be given leisure time after state service
- Betterment of the state over individual
- Four Year Plan: Expanding borders through military conquest
46
Facts/Events which led to WW2
Eborn's Equation: World War 1 + Treaty of Versailles + Great Depression + Hitler and the Nazis rise to power
47
Examples of how the League of Nations failed
1) Manchurian Crisis (September 1931): Japan occupies Manchuria, LoN threatens sanctions but doesn't actually enforce them
2) German Rearmament: Britain, France, and Italy create a defensive alliance (Stresa Front) while Britain allows Germany 35% of British Naval Ability (Angle-German Naval Agreement).
3) Italy's Attack on Ethiopia (October 1935): LoN issues an embargo, but the British and French refuse to honor it due to oil exports.
4) Germany Invades the Rhineland (March 7, 1936): LoN defaults to the policy of appeasement, giving in to the demands of an aggressor to avoid war.
48
Results of Italy's attack on Ethiopia
LoN issues an embargo, preventing Italian exports and loans. However, Britain and France opposed stopping oil exports. This ultimately shows the weakness of the LoN.
49
Consequences of Germany's invasion of the Rineland
LoN follows the policy of appeasement. France builds the Maginot Line - French line of defensive fortifications along the German-French border, meant to extend to the english Channel but was never completed.
50
Facts about the Spanish Civil War
July 1936 - April 1939. Spanish Republic is installed in 1931. Nobility is discontent due to lost privilege and the peasantry wanted a more radical solution. Since the Spanish popular front excluded Fascists, Fascist leader General Francisco Franco formed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan, Germany and Italy. Franco gains control in 1939 with the help of these powers.
51
German aggression of Austria and Czechoslovakia
Austria: Annexed in 1938 (Anschluss)
Czechoslovakia: The Sudetenland in Germany is primarily German, so Hitler is warned not to occupy it. The Munich Conference is held on September 29, 1938 including Germany, Italy, France and Britain. The Sudetenland is handed over to Hitler, who claims he has no more territorial demands. Then, on March 15, 1939, Hitler takes over all of Czechoslovakia, which discredits that policy of appeasement.
52
The Munich Conference
- Date: September 29, 1938
- Included Germany, Italy, France and Britain (note the absence of the USSR)
- The Sedetenland is conceded to Hitler who claims that he has no more territorial demands. This is total BS as proven by his taking over all the entirely of Czechoslovakia by May 1939 which discredits the Policy of Appeasement.
53
Facts about Germany's conquest of Europe through 1941
- Austria, 1938
- Czechoslovakia, 1939
- Poland, 1939
- Finland, 1939
- Denmark, 1940
- Norway, 1940
- Benelux Countries, 1940
- France, 1940
54
The Lend-Lease Act
1941. Under FDR, the USA lends resources to Britain in exchange for the leasing of British naval bases within their empire. This creates the "Arsenal of Democracy."
55
The Battle of Britain
- August 1940
- "Operation Sea Lion."
- German offensive from the air
- Caused the London Blitz, an assault on London for 57 straight nights, killing 700,00 people
- Aimed to attack people's morale
56
Operation Barbarossa
June 22, 1941
57
Factors that drew the US into the war
The US placed an embargo on Japan which triggered Japanese aggression which eventually leads to the Attack of Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941). The US declares war on Japan (December 8) which triggers Germany to declare war on the US (December 11).
58
Facts about the N. African campaign
Battle at El Alamein (1942)
59
The Italian Campaign
- Operation Torch
- The Allied Powers attack the "soft underbelly" of the Axis powers, which is Italy.
- Opened a Southern front as opposed to a Western front
- The Allies take Sicily in August of 1943. Mussolini loses power. Italy declares war against Germany.
60
The Battle of Stalingrad
- 1942-43.
- Most important victory of WW2
- USSR victory
- Suffered 1 million Russian casualties, more than all of the US casualties from the entirety of WW2
61
Strategic Bombing
USA's Philosophy:
Precision Bombing
- Bombed only specific targets such as roads, military sites, bridges, etc.
- Required low-flying planes during the day
```
British Philosophy
Area Bombing
- Bombing a general area randomly
- Civilian casualties
- Could bomb at night
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62
D-Day
June 6, 1944. The Allies open up a Western front in Normandy. Known as Operation Overload. Led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Allied victory.
63
The Costs of WW2
Mass Death (over 40 million), Mass Destruction, Mass Dislocation, the Atomic Age
64
Victims of the Holocaust
"Untermenschen." Jews, Slavs, gypsies, homosexuals, disabled. Mainly from Eastern and Central Europe.
65
Statistics of the Holocaust
- 6 million Jews killed
| - 90% of Polish Jews murdered
66
How was the Holocaust possible?
Ideologies:
- Anti-Semitism
- Pseudo-scientific racism
- Enlightenment idea that "utopian" societies with an "ideal" group of people could exist
Conditions:
- Propaganda
- Technology
- Extreme nationalism
67
Descriptions of the domestic fronts in Britain, France, Germany and the USSR
Britain:
- BBC British propaganda
- Transportation facilities strained
- Food and clothing scarce
- All land farmed
- Gasoline scarce
- Private vehicles almost nonexistent
France:
- German occupation allowed by an armistice established in 1940
- Vichy Regime encouraged nationalism and Anti-Semitism.
- French National Committee of Liberalism / “Free French”
Germany:
- Manufacturing of armaments replaces production of consumer goods.
- Severe labor shortages
- Emphasis on women who were mothers to military figures, those who remained loyal to their husbands fighting in the war, and those who preserved racial purity
- Labor shortages
- Propaganda
USSR:
- Most suffering out of any nation in WW2
- Propaganda - confiscated radios
- Russian patriotism
68
Obstacles for Peace during and after WW2
Differences between the USSR and the Arsenal of Democracy (Britain and US)
- Historical Development
- Economic and Social Ideology
- Political power and spheres of influence
69
The Atlantic Charter
- Date: August 1931
- Negotiated by Churchill and Roosevelt on the coast of Newfoundland
- Based on Wilson's 14 Points
- Provides theoretical basis for peace
- Founding document of the United Nations
70
Tehran
1944: USSR, Britain, and the US meet in Tehran, Iran and planned to open a second front in France.
Choosing Europe’s west coast as the main point of entry, rather than the Mediterranean meant that Soviet forces would occupy Eastern Europe and control its destiny. Western powers did not foresee this clearly at the Tehran conference as the Russians were still fighting deep within their own territory.
USSR, Britain, and the US agreed on what to do with a defeated Germany---disarmament, de-Nazificaiton, and division into four zones of occupation (US, Britain, France, USSR).
71
Yalta
Feb. 1945: Meeting in the Crimean, the USSR, Britain, and US gathered to encourage Russian participation in an invasion of Japan.
- Wilson and Churchill made several concessions to Stalin, ceding Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands and accommodating some of Russia’s desires in Korea and Manchuria.
- Roosevelt laid out his vision for a “United Nations” at the conference.
72
Potsdam
July 1945: The last meeting between the Big Three (Truman replaced Roosevelt, Clement Attlee replaced Churchill)
Territorial Adjustments:
- Russia’s western frontier pushed further into Poland and included most of German East Prussia.
- Poland was moved about 100 miles west, at the expense of Germany, to accommodate the Soviet Union.
- Allies agreed to divide Germany into spheres of occupation until a final peace was negotiated.
Conclusion:
- Council of Foreign Ministers established to draft peace treaties for Germany’s allies.
73
The "Iron Curtain"
Speech given by Winston Churchill, describing Europe as split by an iron curtain, one side promoting Western ideologies (capitalism, democracy) against Communism.
74
Policy of Containment
A United States foreign policy doctrine adopted by the Harry S. Truman administration in 1947, operating on the principle that communist governments will eventually fall apart as long as they are prevented from expanding their influence.
75
The Truman Doctrine
Free people threatened by armed minorities or outside forces deserve the help of the United States.
76
The Marshall Plan
The US provided widespread economic aid to Europe as long as European countries agreed to cooperate with each other. USSR refuses money and orders their satellite states to refuse as well.
EFFECT: Western states progress more quickly than Eastern states, which upsets Communist influence.
77
Stalinist policies imposed on E. European states
- Eliminated all other political parties
- Eliminated churches
- ???
78
Facts about the Post-War division of Germany
Split into four quadrants: USSR, US, France, and Britain
79
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an alliance made to defend one another if they were attacked by any other country; US, England, France, Canada, Western European countries.
80
The Warsaw Pact
A treaty signed in 1945 that formed an alliance of the Eastern European countries behind the Iron Curtain; USSR, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Response to NATO.
81
Facts about the creation of Israel
Balfour Declaration declares the Palestine a homeland for Jews after WW2. The United Nations Resolution split the Palestine into the Arab State and the Jewish State.
Israeli War of Independence (1948-49)
82
The Korean War
Split Korea at the 38th parallel in 1948. The USSR influences the north, while the US influences the south. Norther Korea attempts to militarily invade South Korea in 1950, however Communism is contained in the north. An armistice is issued in 1953 stating the new divide to be north of the 38th parallel.
83
The Cold War
- What? Tense relationship between US and USSR
- When? Late 20th century / 1945 (End of WW2) - 1989 (Fall of the Berlin Wall)
- Why? Political ideological rivalry. Truman is less sympathetic to the USSR. The US opposes heavy reparations on Germany while the USSR occupies territory they're not supposed to (both of which violate post-WW2 agreements). Western powers are declared as enemies of the USSR in 1946.
84
Facts about the Khrushchev
- First to speak out against Stalin: denounced Stalin as a true Communist in his Secret Speech of 1956
- Began a strict retreat from Stalinism, which allowed some freedom of speech, free enterprise, and private agriculture
- Triggered the Three Crises of 1956
1) Suez Crisis (showed that Western powers weren't a good match for the USSR without the US)
2) Polish October (liberalization of Communism)
3) Hungarian Uprising (attempt to push USSR soldiers out of Hungary)
- Sputnik, first satellite ever
- Attempts for a "peaceful coexistence," tours America
85
Gorbachev's reforms
- Glasnost: "Openness." Allowed criticism of Communism from outside the country and within.
- Perestroika: Restructuring of politics and economics. Allowed some free market.
86
Facts about the collapse of European Communism
- 1990: Gorbachev proposes that the Communist party abandons its monopoly of power.
- Economic stagnation
- Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian Republic (most important of the Soviet Union's constituent republics), wanted to move quickly toward a market economy and more democratic government.
87
The Fall of the Berlin Wall and its Significance
1989. Marked the end of Communism in Europe.
88
Guernica
German experiment of bombing
