Causes Of WW2 Flashcards
(22 cards)
1
Q
Impact of the TOV on Germany
A
- Forced to accept war guilt
-Made to pay 6.6 billion in reparations as well as give up important mining sites
-Army restricted to 100,000 men, 6 battle ships and no more submarines
2
Q
Hitler’s foreign policy aims
A
- Aquire Lebenstraum
- Overturn the Treaty Of Versailles
- Unite all German-speaking people under Greater Germany
3
Q
Rearmament
A
- Although Hitler had been doing so in secret, he officially announced rearmament in March 1935
- It gave him more confidence as it went directly against the TOV but no punishments were put in place
4
Q
Remilitarisation of the Rhineland
A
- In March 1936, Hitler began remilitarising the Rhineland, as it was an important industrial site
- He justified this by claiming it was a defensive action against the Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual
5
Q
Anshluss
A
- Hitler’s aim of reunifying Greater Germany included the unification of Austria and Germany
- Occurred in 12th March 1938 and was Nazi Germany’s first act of territorial aggression
6
Q
The Sudetenland
A
- Due to the policy of Appeasement, Hitler felt confident enough to demand the occupation of the Sudetenland
- Wanted to be in control of it by the 1st of October 1938
7
Q
Munich Conference ( The Sudetenland )
A
- 29th to 30th Sept 1938, the Munich Conference was held by Britain, France, Germany and Italy to discuss Hitler’s claims to the Sudetenland
- The outcome was that Hitler could have ownership of the Sudetenland if he promised not to make any more territorial demands in Europe
8
Q
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
A
- March 1939
- Although Germany now controlled the Sudetenland, over 2 million Germans were still living in the Czech provinces
- Forced the Czech Prime Minister to give up Czechoslovakia, or else all major cities would be bombed and land invaded
9
Q
Nazi-Soviet Pact
A
- The Nazi-Soviet Pact of August 1939 ensured that both nations would have 10 years of peace
- Economic agreements were also made as Germany paid the Soviet Union 200 million marks in exchange for timber, wheat and petrol
- Ensured that Germany wouldn’t be faced with another two-front war
- However, what wasn’t told the public was that if Germany invaded Poland, Stalin would help them and they would mutually split Poland in two.
10
Q
Invasion of Poland
A
- The invasion of Poland began 1st of September 1939, and as a result, Britain, which had promised to protect Polish independence, declared war on Germany 3rd of Sept
- Throughout 1939, Hitler demanded that Danzig be returned to Germany, as this was never done, he was able to stage a series of Polish attacks to justify declaring war
11
Q
Impact of the Treaty Of Versailles for Japan
A
- Japan had hoped to pass the racial equality pact, however, it was denied by other nations
- Although Japan had fought alongside the Allies, Japan felt that they had been poorly rewarded due to racism
12
Q
Impact of Great Depression on Japan
A
- Heavily influenced Japan, as the nation was very reliant on imports to sustain itself
- After the Wall Street Crash, America had to increase its tariffs, and as a result, the Japanese economy struggled to bring enough resources in to sustain itself
- As a result, ——-> cost of Japanese goods fell by 50%, leading to many businesses going bankrupt
- 3 million people were unemployed as a result
- The Japanese military started to have a more and more significant role in the day-to-day running of the country, which led to the belief that war was the solution to the Great Depression
13
Q
Invasion of Manchuria
A
- Following the Mukden incident, which was the staged bombing of a Japanese railway to justify the invasion in September 1931, the invasion of Manchuria gave Japan a strong strategic position to launch a future attack on China
- Set up the puppet state of Manchuco, which gradually gained influence
14
Q
When was the Second Sino-Japanese War
A
-1937 to 1945
15
Q
How did the Second Sino-Japanese start
A
-Skirmish between Chinese and Japanese troops on the Marco Polo Bridge 7th July 1937
16
Q
The Battle of Shanghai
A
- 13th August 1937
- Japanese losses 60,000
- Chinese Losses 250,000
- Demonstrated how Chinese military traded land for time
17
Q
Nanjing Massacre
A
- Due to the growing frustration of Japanese troops
- The harsh command of the generals
- The belief in racial superiority
- Led to Japanese soldiers brutalising the city of Nanjing
- Between 200,000 and 300,000 civilians were killed
18
Q
Japanese expansion into the Pacific ( North French Indochina)
A
- In September 1940, Japan moved towards the North of French Indochina
- Gave them a base for their expansion in the Southeast and blocked supply routes to China
- As a result, America sanctioned the Japanese by placing an embargo on steel and iron exports
19
Q
Japanese expansion into the Pacific (South French Indochina)
A
- In September 1940, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact with Italy and Germany, which gave them protection against America if they declared war
- They moved to the occupation of the South of French Indochina
- As a result, America embargoed almost all of the gas and oil supplied
-Left Japan in a very tricky situation as they only and 2 years’ worth of oil left - Two options = Sign a non-aggression pact with the countries of the Pacific or continue and risk war
- Japan Continued
20
Q
When was the Attack on Pearl Harbour
A
- 7th of December 1941
21
Q
Why was Pearl Harbour Chosen
A
- It housed the US Pacific Naval Fleet, and Japan believed that by destroying it, America would sue for peace and not join the war
22
Q
Consequences of the Attack on Pearl Harbour
A
- 2404 military personnel and civilians killed
- 21 ships damaged or destroyed
- 80% of aircrafts on the island of Oahu were destroyed or damaged
- However, rather than suing for peace, America declared war on Japan 8th of December 1941
