Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

20th century wars > 20th century wars > Flashcards

20th century wars Flashcards

(104 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What was a long-term cause of WW1 related to imperial rivalry?

A

France and Britain were rivals in North Africa, almost going to war in 1898 over the southern Nile

This rivalry was one of the factors leading to tensions between major European powers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What crisis in 1905 and 1911 highlighted France’s objections to Germany’s actions?

A

The Moroccan crises

These crises were significant in escalating tensions between France and Germany.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which region did Germany annex from France in 1871, creating lasting resentment?

A

Alsace-Lorraine

This annexation was a significant grievance for France that contributed to the causes of WW1.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What was one of the main sources of conflict between Britain and Germany?

A

Germany’s ambitions to build a larger navy

This ambition worsened relations, as Britain was concerned about its naval supremacy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What shift occurred in Turkey’s foreign policy after the Crimean War?

A

Shift from isolationism to a diplomatic outlook

This change led to Turkey establishing permanent diplomatic missions in Europe.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What socio-economic issue resulted from military defeats in Turkey since 1805?

A

Financial crisis and social division

The military system incited rebellions and persecution, leading to instability.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was France’s economic strength in terms of trade?

A

Agricultural economy with luxury items like wine and silk

These items were significant in France’s trade relations, particularly with Britain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What were the two main alliances by 1914?

A

Triple Alliance (Austria, Germany, Italy) and Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia)

These alliances created a divide in Europe that contributed to the war.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What event triggered the July Crisis leading to WW1?

A

Assassination of Duke Franz Ferdinand

This assassination set off a chain of events that escalated into a full-scale war.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What was the nature of warfare in WW1?

A

Total war, mobilizing all resources for war effort

This included economic, industrial, and human resources.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What characterized trench warfare during WW1?

A

Stalemates and defensive advantages

The use of trenches prolonged the conflict and made it a battle of endurance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What was the impact of the British naval blockade on Germany?

A

Severely restricted imports, contributing to starvation and economic collapse

This blockade played a crucial role in weakening Germany’s war economy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What was the significance of the Battle of Jutland?

A

Largest naval engagement resulting in a strategic victory for Britain

Germany failed to break the blockade during this battle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What role did airpower play in WW1?

A

Initially for reconnaissance, evolved into bombers and fighters

Airpower contributed to morale but had limited strategic impact.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What was the primary impact of machine guns on WW1 tactics?

A

Made frontal assaults deadly, forcing a change in tactics

The widespread use of machine guns strengthened defensive positions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Fill in the blank: The first use of _______ in Ypres caused slow and painful deaths.

A

poison gas

This led to the development of gas masks to protect soldiers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What was a major consequence of the Russian exit from the war?

A

Freed German forces to focus on the Western front

However, this was counterbalanced by the arrival of US troops.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What was the psychological impact of artillery use in WW1?

A

Caused shell shock affecting thousands of soldiers

Artillery was responsible for a significant number of battlefield deaths.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What technological advancement helped coordinate military attacks in WW1?

A

Radio and communications

This development improved the coordination of military efforts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What was the primary impact of toxic gases during the war?

A

Increased the horror of war.

Although it had little impact on the outcome of the war, the use of toxic gases heightened the overall terror associated with warfare.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When were tanks first introduced in warfare?

A

1916 at the Battle of the Somme.

Tanks were introduced by the British and were initially slow but capable of crossing trenches.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What role did improved tank models like the Mark 5 play in 1918?

A

They helped break the German lines.

This was particularly significant during the Allies’ Hundred Days offensive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How did the development of radio and communications impact military operations?

A

Allowed for better coordination of attacks.

Field telephones and wireless transmission improved command efficiency.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What was the purpose of conscription during World War I?

A

To sustain massive armies.

All major powers introduced conscription, including Britain’s Military Service Act in 1916.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What was the impact of high casualties on recruitment during World War I?
Led to constant recruitment and war-weariness. ## Footnote The necessity for soldiers forced continual drafting of men into service.
26
What measures did governments take to mobilize economic resources for war?
Directed production towards war efforts and rationed food and materials. ## Footnote Examples include the War Industries Board in the US and rationing of food in Britain.
27
What was a significant economic struggle faced by Germany during the war?
Struggled economically under the British blockade. ## Footnote This blockade contributed to Germany's eventual collapse in 1918.
28
How did the role of women change during World War I?
Women took on roles in factories, agriculture, and military auxiliary services. ## Footnote Key groups included the British Women’s Land Army and the Russian Women’s Battalion of Death.
29
What was the impact of the US entry into World War I in 1917?
Provided fresh troops and immense economic resources for the Allies. ## Footnote This support was crucial in tipping the war in favor of the Allies.
30
What was the significance of the Ottoman Empire's defeat in 1918?
Led to its dissolution and reshaped the Middle East. ## Footnote Germany supported the Ottoman war efforts during the conflict.
31
What were the successes of the peacemaking efforts after World War I?
Armistice and peace treaties ended active fighting, including the Treaty of Versailles. ## Footnote The League of Nations was created to prevent future wars.
32
What was the failure of the Treaty of Versailles?
Article 231's war guilt clause created resentment among Germans. ## Footnote This resentment contributed to the rise of extremist ideologies, including Hitler's.
33
What territorial changes occurred in Europe after World War I?
The empires of the central powers collapsed, and new countries were formed. ## Footnote Germany lost significant territories, and Austria-Hungary was divided into separate nations.
34
What was a significant economic impact of World War I?
Massive government borrowing led to hyperinflation in several countries. ## Footnote Germany's hyperinflation created conditions for the rise of Hitler.
35
How did World War I affect demographic shifts?
Over 9 million soldiers died, leading to a 'lost generation.' ## Footnote This demographic impact included declining birth rates and significant population displacement.
36
What psychological impacts were widespread among veterans of World War I?
Widespread PTSD ('shell shock') among veterans. ## Footnote Many veterans felt alienated and disillusioned, which influenced cultural movements.
37
How did World War I affect class structures and labor?
Disrupted traditional class hierarchies and increased labor power. ## Footnote Labor shortages increased bargaining power, leading to growth in trade unions.
38
What was a long-term cause of World War II?
The Treaty of Versailles, 1919. ## Footnote It humiliated Germany and imposed harsh reparations, fostering resentment.
39
What was the impact of the Great Depression on the rise of authoritarian regimes?
Economic instability led many to turn to authoritarian regimes for recovery. ## Footnote This weakened liberal democracies and collective security systems.
40
Why did the League of Nations fail to prevent aggression?
It lacked real enforcement and major powers like the US were absent. ## Footnote This absence encouraged aggressor states to act without fear of consequences.
41
What were the short-term causes of World War II related to Axis powers?
Territorial aggression by Germany, Italy, and Japan. ## Footnote Examples include Germany's remilitarization of the Rhineland and invasions by Japan.
42
What was the impact of the appeasement policy from 1935 to 1939?
Encouraged further aggression from Hitler. ## Footnote The Munich Agreement allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland, undermining Czechoslovakia.
43
What was the significance of the Nazi-Soviet Pact in August 1939?
Secured Hitler's eastern front for the invasion of Poland. ## Footnote This non-aggression pact divided Poland between Germany and the USSR.
44
What type of war was World War II characterized as?
Total war. ## Footnote It involved entire populations and economies mobilized for the war effort.
45
What major turning point occurred after the US entry into World War II?
Massive economic and military boost for the Allies. ## Footnote The US joined the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
46
When did the US enter the war?
December 1941 ## Footnote The US entered the war after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
47
What was a significant reason for the turn of the war involving the USSR?
Soviet resilience and counteroffensives, particularly the Battle of Stalingrad
48
What was formed in 1945 to promote international cooperation?
The United Nations ## Footnote It was more inclusive than the League of Nations.
49
What legal precedent did the Nuremberg Trials set?
Prosecuting war crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity.
50
What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan in 1948?
To rebuild Western Europe and prevent the spread of communism.
51
What momentum began due to the war in Europe?
Decolonization momentum
52
What were the two hostile blocks that emerged after the war?
The US and USSR ## Footnote This division led to the Cold War.
53
Which countries controlled the four occupation zones in Germany?
US, UK, France, USSR
54
What happened to Poland's borders after the war?
Shifted westward — lost land to USSR, gained from Germany.
55
What was the impact of the war on the Soviet Union?
27 million deaths and major city destruction
56
What was the economic condition of Europe post-war?
Severe shortages of food, fuel, and housing
57
What economic strategy did many countries shift to after the war?
Mixed economies with a Keynesian approach
58
What was the result of women entering the workforce during the war?
Labour shortages were filled by women
59
What long-term impact did the war have on women's roles?
Some women stayed in their wartime roles, others were encouraged to return to traditional roles.
60
What was a long-term cause of the Chinese Civil War?
The fall of the Qing Dynasty
61
What did the May Fourth Movement protest against?
The weakness of the Chinese government on the political stage
62
What was the first United Front?
An alliance between the KMT and CCP to unify China
63
What triggered the Shanghai Massacre?
Chiang Kai-shek ordered the purge of communists
64
What was the Long March?
A strategic retreat by the CCP over 6,000 miles
65
What was the impact of the Second Sino-Japanese War on the civil war?
Formation of the second united front between KMT and CCP
66
What military strategy did the CCP adopt?
Guerrilla warfare
67
What was the KMT's reliance on in warfare?
Conventional warfare
68
What was declared on October 1st, 1949?
The founding of the People's Republic of China
69
What kind of reforms did the CCP implement post-war?
Land reforms and granting equal rights to women
70
What was a significant economic policy of the CCP?
Centralized economic planning with the First Five-Year Plan
71
What were some long-term causes of the Spanish Civil War?
* Agrarian inequality * Industrial underdevelopment * Widespread unemployment and poverty
72
What ideological divisions existed in Spanish society?
* Right wing factions: Monarchists, conservatives, military, Catholic Church, landowners * Left wing factions: Socialists, communists, anarchists, republicans
73
What was a key trigger for the Spanish Civil War?
The assassination of Jose Calvo Sotelo
74
What type of war was the Spanish Civil War characterized as?
A civil war fought between Republicans and Nationalists
75
Who provided air support to the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War?
Condor Legion from Nazi Germany
76
What was a significant naval advantage for the Nationalists?
Support from Italian submarines and ships
77
What tactics did both sides use during the Spanish Civil War?
Mass executions as a tactic of war
78
What was the role of international brigades?
Formed by foreign volunteers supporting the Republicans
79
What was unique about the Spanish Civil War in terms of ideology?
It was an ideological proxy war between communism and fascism
80
What tactic did both sides use during the war to intimidate their opponents?
Mass executions ## Footnote Nationalists employed the White Terror, while Republicans used the Red Terror.
81
Which groups mobilized militias for the Republican side?
* Trade unions * Anarchists * Socialists * Communists
82
What was the size of the international brigades formed by the Republicans?
Around 35,000 foreign volunteers
83
Who led the Nationalist side, and what was their military leadership like?
Franco; more disciplined military leaders
84
What types of support did the Nationalists receive from foreign countries?
* 75,000 troops from Italy * Significant air and ground support from Germany * Colonial troops from Spanish Morocco
85
What areas did the Republicans control early in the war?
Most industrial areas
86
What caused economic disruption for the Republicans during the war?
Internal political division and anarchist collectivization
87
What did the Republicans rely on to purchase Soviet arms?
Gold reserves and foreign loans
88
What economic strategy did the Nationalists employ more successfully than the Republicans?
State of autarky
89
Which foreign country provided 16,000+ troops and military equipment to the Nationalists?
Germany
90
What was one of the strategic goals of Germany in supporting the Nationalists?
Create a pro-fascist government in Spain
91
What did Italy aim to achieve by sending troops to support the Nationalists?
Spread fascism and boost Italy’s prestige
92
What type of support did the Soviet Union provide to the Republicans?
* Military advisors * Tanks (T-26) * Aircraft * Weapons
93
What was the Non-Intervention Agreement of 1936?
Agreement signed by 27 nations to avoid escalation of the conflict
94
What was the outcome of the Spanish Civil War?
Military victory by the Nationalists; no reconciliation
95
What type of justice was implemented by Franco after the war?
Victor’s justice
96
What was a significant impact of the war on Spain's political structure?
Establishment of a military dictatorship under Franco
97
What was abolished by Franco's regime?
The Republican Constitution (1931)
98
What was the term used for Franco's one-party rule?
FET y de las JONS
99
What was the economic policy pursued by Franco from 1939 to the 1950s?
Autarky policy
100
What was the estimated death toll from the Spanish Civil War?
Approximately 500,000 deaths
101
What significant reform regarding women's rights was reversed under Franco?
Legal status of women diminished; needed permission from husband/father
102
What educational reform was abolished after Franco took power?
Republican-era secular, modernist education
103
Fill in the blank: Franco emphasized the ideal of womanhood defined by _______.
Catholic values
104
What was the status of divorce under Franco's regime?
Divorce was outlawed

20th century wars (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions