ww2 test Flashcards
How can the Treaty of Versailles be seen as a cause of the Second World War?
The Treaty of Versailles can be seen as a cause of WWII because it caused anger and resentment instead of securing a
“just and secure peace.”
What tactics did Mussolini and Stalin use to gain power in their respective countries?
Joseph Stalin focused on creating a model communist state by making both agricultural and industrial growth the prime economic goals of the Soviet Union. In an effort to eliminate anyone who threatened his power, Stalin became responsible for the deaths of 8-13 million people, including his most faithful supporters. Benito Mussolini established a Fascist party in Italy, playing on the peoples’ fears of economic collapse and communism. He became known as “Il Duce” and gradually extended Fascist control to every aspect of Italian life.
What were three goals of Hitler and the Nazi party?
The three goals of Hitler and the Nazi party were to unite all German-speaking people in a great German empire, enforce racial “purification,” and expand the nation.
How did the League of Nations respond to early military aggression by dictators?
The League of Nations sent representatives to Manchuria to investigate the aggressive acts by dictators. Their report condemned Japan, but Japan responded by simply quitting the League. Hitler began a military buildup in violation of the Treaty of Versailles and sent troops into the Rhineland but the League did nothing to stop Hitler. Mussolini targeted Ethiopia and invaded the country, and the League responded with an ineffective economic boycott.
How did the U.S. respond to all this hostility in Europe?
The U.S. responded to the hostility in Europe with a policy of isolationism; most Americans were alarmed by the international conflicts but believed that the United States should not get involved. In an effort to keep the U.S. out of future wars, Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts. A few months later, Roosevelt spoke out against isolationism and seemed ready to take a stand against the aggression, until isolationist newspapers exploded in protest, accusing the president of leading the nation into war.
How did Britain respond to Hitler’s early aggression?
Britain responded to Hitler’s early aggression by practicing the policy of appeasement - promising to protect Czechoslovakia and signing the Munich Agreement.
How was Germany able to win her battles so decisively in the early part of the war?
Germany won her battles so decisively early in the war because of Germany’s newest military strategy, the blitzkrieg. The blitzkrieg made use of advances in military technology to take the enemy by surprise and then quickly crush all opposition with overwhelming force.
How did Britain, France, and the U.S. respond to Jewish refugees trying to flee persecution in Germany?
The British worried about fueling anti-semitism and refused to admit more than 80,000 refugees. They controlled Palestine and allowed 30,000 refugees to settle there. France already had 40,000 refugees and did not want to admit anymore. The U.S. accepted 100,000 refugees but Americans were concerned that letting in more refugees during the Great Depression would deny U.S. citizens jobs and threaten economic recovery. In America, there was widespread anti-Semitism and fear that “enemy agents” would be allowed to enter the country.
Explain the Lend-Lease Plan by using Roosevelt’s analogy on page 552.
Roosevelt compared the Lend-Lease Plan to lending a garden hose to a neighbor whose house was on fire. Under the Lend-Lease Plan, the President would be able to lend or lease arms and other supplies to “any country whose defense was vital to the United States.”
Read 544 (“Final Solution”) to the end of the section. Explain 2 things that troubled you the most as you read. Also, what can be learned from the Holocaust?
As part of Hitler’s “Final Solution,” Hitler’s elite Nazi “security squadrons” rounded up Jews - men, women, children, and babies - and shot them on the spot. Another troubling part of the “Final Solution” was the mass exterminations - killing centers that were the “last resort” for exterminating the Jewish population. Each camp had several huge gas chambers that the prisoners were tricked into by the Nazis and poisoned in with cyanide gas. The Holocaust represents the importance of treating everyone the same regardless of their race, gender, social status, disability, or religion.
Describe the attack on Pearl Harbor that led the U.S. into war with the Axis powers.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise raid by the Japanese that had killed 2,403 Americans, wounded 1,178 people, and sunk or damaged 21 ships. Japanese warplanes were launched from six aircraft carriers and bombs were dropped onto Pearl Harbor, U.S. naval ships, and Americans. The warplanes remained practically untouched by American guns. Roosevelt’s request for a declaration of war against Japan was quickly approved by Congress, and Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. three days later.
totalitarian
Totalitarian means that individuals have no rights, and the government suppresses all opposition. Joseph Stalin established a totalitarian government that asserted complete control over its citizens in the Soviet Union.
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin was a dictator of the Soviet Union who focused on establishing a model communist state by prioritizing both agricultural and industrial growth. Stalin was famous for establishing a totalitarian government in Russia and became responsible for the deaths of 8-13 million people in his effort to eliminate anyone who threatened his power.
Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini was an Italian fascist dictator who rose to power in Italy by playing on peoples’ fears of economic collapse and communism. Mussolini and Fascists argued that power must rest with a single strong leader and a small group of devoted party members.
Fascism
Fascism stressed nationalism and placed the state’s interests above those of individuals. Fascism became the presiding system in Italy under Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship, where the state took priority over the people.
