WWII Beginnings: by Maya Flashcards
Nationalism
the feeling of pride, loyalty, and protectiveness towards your country. All the Axis countries were nationalistic.
Fascism
an extreme form of nationalism usually linked to racism. Fascism was born in Italy by Benito Mussolini. Hitler and Germany also adopted fascism.
Militarism
the idea that a country should maintain a strong military and use military in order to achieve goals. Many of the Axis countries had militarism present in their governments (including Japan and Germany).
Dictator
someone who assumes power over people and isn’t bound by laws/rules. found in fascism. (Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Hideki Tojo, Joseph Stalin)
Totalitarianism
(also known as “absolutism”) absolute control by one group or individual. This is what the axis countries (and the Soviet Union) had going on in their governments leading up to and during WWII.
Germany’s leader and reasons for being involved in war
Led by Chancellor (dictator) Adolph Hitler. Helping the economy recover from economic issues. Fascism and militarism present in the government. Feelings of resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles. They hated the Treaty of Versailles as it made them lose land, pay $31 billion in reparations (leading to an earlier start of the Great Depression), put limits on their military (100,00 troops), and take the blame for WWI. Wanted to take back their land, stop paying the reparations, and grow their military again. Again the loss of land, money, and power. Hitler instilled a sense of pride and self-respect in them. The fascist Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party (Natzi) was led by Hitler. When they invaded Austria, it was seen as reuniting the Germany that was.
Italy’s leader and reasons for being involved in war
Led by Prime Minister (dictator) Benito Mussili. He was also known as II Duce (the Chief) and created fascism (which he had a really strong belief in). He led his people to believe they were rebuilding the great Roman Empire and needed to expand Italy’s empire.
Japan’s leader and reasons for being involved in war
General then Prime Minister (dictator) Hideki Tojo, 1941. Japan was an island and wanted to expand its control of resources (namely oil) - oil would feed the machines. As Japan had to go take the resources, they relied on their military to expand and imperialize (militarism).
Soviet Union’s leader and reasons for being involved in war
Joseph Stalin (dictator) took power in 1924 after the death of Vladimer I. Lenin (who had led the Communist takeover of Russia in 1917). Under Stalin, the government tried to control every aspect of life in the nation and crush oppression. They joined WWII after Germany invaded them.
United States’ leader and reasons for being involved in war
President Franklin Roosevelt. Japan planned to conquer the Dutch East Indies, a source of oil, and other Asian territories and believed only the U.S Navy stood in their way. So, on December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes bombed Pearl Harbor (a huge American naval base). About 2,400 Americans -both servicemen and civilians- died. Many U.S warplanes and ships were destroyed or damaged, leaving the U.S fleet devastated. President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan.
Describe the first countries which Germany invaded prior to the beginning of WWII, the order in which they were invaded, the reasons that Germany had for invading those areas, and the reactions of the people living in the lands which were invaded.
1.Austria
2.Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland)
3.Poland
First, Germany invaded Austria, home to mostly German-speaking people, so they could “reunite the Germany that was”. Most residents of Austria and Germany welcomed the unification. Next, Hitler set his sights on Sudetenland (a region of Czechoslovakia where many people of German descent lived). Czechoslovakia didn’t want to give up their region. After working it out with France and Britain (known as appeasement), Hitler gained control of Sudetenland. Breaking his promise, German troops seized the rest of Czeckosolvakia. On September 1, 1939, he invaded Poland (the official start of WWII). In April 1940, he conquered Denmark and overran Norway. Next, Germany launched an attack against Belgium and the Netherlands.
Describe Germany’s foreign policy decisions in dealing with the Soviet Union prior to the beginning of the war.
Germany chose to forge an alliance with the Soviet Union to avoid conflict as they both invaded countries. This was an unusual occurrence because they were enemies. The two countries also divided up Europe between the two nations.
Compare the reactions of Great Britain and France to Germany’s invasions of Poland and Czechoslovakia.
When Hitler set his sights on Czechoslovakia, France and the Soviet Union pledged their support to Czechoslovakia if Germany attacked. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with Hitler in Munich, Germany. With France, they reached the agreement that Germany would gain control of Sudetenland and Hitler would promise to stop seeking more territory. This was known as the Munich Agreement which was part of Britain and France’s policy of appeasement (meeting Germany’s demands in order to avoid war). Chamberlain came home a hero for avoiding war. ———– However, Hitler broke his promise and later said he would seize Polish territory. Britain and France warned an attack on Poland would be war. Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, and Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. WWII had begun.
Define the term Blitzkrieg, as well as its effectiveness at the beginning of the war.
Blitzkrieg or “lightning war” was a new method of warfare that stressed speed and surprise in the use of tanks, troops, and planes. The strategy was very effective as Germany began conquering lots of nations.
Describe the significance of Operation Dynamo.
Operation Dynamo allowed the British and French troops to escape (300,000 people), meaning they could fight later on in the war. It turned a tremendous defeat into a victory. It allowed regular citizens to contribute by using their ships.
