WW2 VOCAB Flashcards
A system where everyone shares everything and there are no rich or poor people.
WWI Connection: After WWI, Russia became communist because people were angry about war and unfair treatment.
Communism
The government helps people by owning things like businesses and giving services to everyone more equally.
Socialism
Belief in freedom, voting, and equal rights.
Liberalism
Loving your country a lot and thinking it’s better than others.
Nationalism
Wanting to keep things the old way—like kings, empires, and traditions.
Conservatism
A very strict government where one leader controls everything, and no one is allowed to disagree.
Fascism
Believing your country needs a strong army and should be ready to fight.
Militarism
Countries agreeing to help each other if there’s a war.
Alliances
A country trying to take over other places to grow its power.
Imperialism
What was the Cold War and why did it happen?
The Cold War was a long period of tension (about 1947–1991) between the USA and the Soviet Union. They didn’t fight directly but competed through threats, spying, weapons, and influence. It happened because the USA wanted to stop the spread of communism, and the Soviet Union wanted to spread it.
What was the Nazi Party
The Nazi Party (short for National Socialist German Workers’ Party) was a political group in Germany led by Adolf Hitler. It believed in extreme nationalism, racism, and strong control by the government. The Nazis blamed Jews and others for Germany’s problems and wanted to make Germany powerful again. They took over Germany in 1933 and started World War 2 in 1939.
What is appeasement and how did it lead to World War 2?
Appeasement is when countries gave in to Hitler’s demands to avoid war. Britain and France let him take land like Austria and part of Czechoslovakia. This made Hitler think he could keep going without being stopped, which helped cause World War 2.
What was the Treaty of Versailles and how did it contribute to World War 2?
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace agreement signed in 1919 to end World War 1. It punished Germany by making them take blame for the war, give up land, and pay huge reparations. This made many Germans angry and led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, which eventually caused World War 2.
What was the human cost of World War 2?
World War 2 caused immense loss of life. Around 70-85 million people died, including soldiers and civilians. The war also led to massive suffering, with millions injured, displaced, or affected by the Holocaust and other war crimes.
What was the Interwar Period and why was it important?
The Interwar Period was the time between World War 1 (1918) and World War 2 (1939). It was marked by economic problems like the Great Depression, political instability, and the rise of dictators like Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. These conditions helped set the stage for World War 2.
What was the League of Nations and why did it fail?
The League of Nations was an international organization created after World War 1 to promote peace and cooperation between countries. It failed because it lacked power to enforce decisions, and major countries like the United States didn’t join. It couldn’t stop aggression from countries like Japan, Italy, and Germany, which led to World War 2.
