Causes of WWII Flashcards
Lebensraum
The concept of expanding German territory. One of Hitlers foreign policy goals
Appeasement
Policy between Britain (Neville Chamberlain) and Germany (Hitler). For 3 years Britain gave Hitler and Germany what they wanted.
Remilitarization of the Rhineland
The Rhineland is an area between France and Britain which Germany controls but is not aloud to militarize because they could invade France. The League of Nations and Britain were occupied in many international conflicts. They did not see the Rhineland as a major issue. In 1936 Hitler begins to remilitarise the Rhineland.
Anschluss
The concept of a united Austria and Germany. Hitler pressured Austrian chancellor to appoint Nazi leader of Austria but chancellor is worried about Nazi’s growing power in Austria and calls for a referendum on Anschluss. Later Hitler invades Austria with the approval of Nazi Austrian leader.
Munich Conference
Conference between Germany, Britain, France, and Italy. At the conference they agreed Sudetenland went to Germany. Sudetenland is where Czechoslovakia’s frontier defenses were located. Germany was able to take them over so Czechoslovakia did not have any defense capacity.
The Sudetenland, 1938
September 15th 1938 Chamberlin meets with Hiter to avaoid war and they agree that Hitler can take control of parts of the Sudetenland. Later Hitler Demands all of the Sudetenland and by March 1939 Hitler takes over the rest of Czechoslovakia.
Nazi-Soviet Pact
August 1939 Germany and the USSR sign the pact;. Terms are not attack one another and to divide Poland between themselves. This happened because Soviets are growing distrustful of France and Britain.
Pearl Harbor
December 7th 1941 Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor motivated by their lack of natural resources. Prior the US did not like that Japan was invading Indo-China and Japan refused to leave so the US issues an oil embargo on Japan. Pearl Harbor is a major turning point because it lead to the US declaring war on Japan and joining WWII.
