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Exam - World War Two Flashcards

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1
Q

What did the Treaty of Versailles formally end?

A

World War I

Signed in June 1919.

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2
Q

What were the main objectives of the Treaty of Versailles?

A

Reduce Germany’s ability to wage war, settle territorial disputes, establish mechanisms to resolve future conflicts

Aimed to prevent another global war.

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3
Q

Where was the Paris Peace Conference held?

A

Paris

From January 1919, attended by delegates from 25 nations.

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4
Q

Which countries were notably excluded from the Paris Peace Conference?

A

Germany and Bolshevik Russia

Their absence influenced the treaty’s outcomes.

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5
Q

What did China seek during the Paris Peace Conference?

A

Shandong peninsula

Aimed to regain control from Japan.

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6
Q

What did Jewish Zionists lobby for during the Paris Peace Conference?

A

A Palestinian state

Part of broader nationalist aspirations.

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7
Q

What were the primary countries involved in shaping the Treaty of Versailles?

A

United States, Britain, France

Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, and Georges Clemenceau were key figures.

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8
Q

What was Woodrow Wilson’s approach to the treaty?

A

He wanted conciliatory, emphasizing disarmament and the League of Nations (encourage dialogue between nations to prevent conflict)

Advocated for self-determination and banning secret diplomacy.

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9
Q

What harsh penalties did Georges Clemenceau demand?

A

Return of Alsace and Lorraine, dismantling German industrial capacity, restrictive military limits

Sought a formal alliance with Britain and the U.S.

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10
Q

What was David Lloyd George’s initial stance on the treaty?

A

Middle course, uneasy about Wilson’s idealism and Clemenceau’s severity

Eventually hardened his stance under public pressure.

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11
Q

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

A

June 28, 1919

Signed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

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12
Q

What was Article 231 known as?

A

The War Guilt Clause

Assigned sole responsibility for the war to Germany.

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13
Q

What percentage of territory did Germany lose due to the Treaty of Versailles?

A

13%

Included significant regions like Alsace and Lorraine.

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14
Q

What were the reparations set at for Germany?

A

132 billion gold marks

A substantial financial burden for the country.

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15
Q

What military restrictions were imposed on Germany by the treaty?

A

Army capped at 100,000 men, no tanks or aircraft

Navy limited to 15,000 personnel and six battleships.

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16
Q

How did many Germans view the Treaty of Versailles?

A

As a humiliating ‘Diktat’

Some considered resuming war rather than submitting.

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17
Q

How is the Versailles Treaty viewed by historians?

A

As a failure

Prioritized punishment over reconciliation.

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18
Q

What was a significant long-term effect of the Treaty of Versailles?

A

Sowed resentment and instability in Germany

Contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

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19
Q

What was the policy of appeasement adopted by European powers?

A

Concessions to Nazi Germany to avoid war

Despite awareness of treaty breaches.

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20
Q

What did Hitler’s rearmament strategy involve?

A

Clandestine beginnings, overt by 1935

Included military parades and conscription.

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21
Q

What was the significance of the remilitarization of the Rhineland?

A

Direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles

A calculated risk by Hitler.

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22
Q

What did the Hossbach memorandum reveal?

A

Hitler’s strategic intent for territorial expansion

Acknowledged economic limitations and anticipated war.

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23
Q

What was the outcome of the Anschluss of Austria?

A

Annexation (taking of land) through political pressure and military threat

Demonstrated Hitler’s aggressive expansionism.

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24
Q

What was the Munich Agreement of September 1938?

A

Allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland

In exchange for a promise of no further territorial claims.

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25
What did the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact achieve?
Secured German freedom to invade Poland ## Footnote Eliminated the threat of Soviet intervention.
26
What was the concept of lebensraum?
Securing living space and resources in Eastern Europe ## Footnote A driving force behind Hitler's territorial expansions.
27
What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany's economy?
Loss of 15% of agricultural land and 10% of industrial areas ## Footnote Led to severe economic challenges.
28
What did the Treaty of Versailles forbid regarding Germany and Austria?
Political or economic unification ## Footnote Aimed to prevent future power consolidation.
29
What was the public reaction in Germany to the Treaty of Versailles?
Condemnation as disgraceful ## Footnote Sparked nationalist anger and the 'stab-in-the-back' legend.
30
What was the long-term effect of the treaty's territorial settlements?
Created minorities and grievances across Europe ## Footnote Led to future ethnic tensions and territorial disputes.
31
How did public opinion in Britain influence the Treaty of Versailles?
Pressured Lloyd George to adopt a harder stance ## Footnote Reflective of anti-German sentiment.
32
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
A treaty imposed by the Allied Powers to officially end World War I with Germany ## Footnote Germany was not allowed to participate in the treaty negotiations, leading to resentment.
33
What was the War Guilt Clause?
A clause in the Treaty of Versailles that placed sole blame for the war on Germany ## Footnote This clause severely impacted German national pride.
34
What were the military restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?
Small army, no air force, limited navy ## Footnote These restrictions were part of the treaty's conditions.
35
What was the Weimar Republic?
A democratic government system in Germany after WWI with proportional representation ## Footnote It faced significant challenges including political instability and extremist uprisings.
36
What economic crisis occurred in Germany in 1923?
Hyperinflation ## Footnote Triggered by the occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium after Germany defaulted on reparations.
37
What led to the stabilization of the German economy from 1924 to 1929?
American loans and reforms by Chancellor Gustav Stresemann ## Footnote These efforts aimed to help ordinary citizens and resolve hyperinflation.
38
What was the impact of the Great Depression on Germany?
Massive unemployment, homelessness, starvation ## Footnote It deepened disenchantment with the Weimar government.
39
How did Hitler rise to power?
Through political dissatisfaction, economic hardship, and nationalistic anger at the Treaty of Versailles ## Footnote He utilized propaganda and was appointed Chancellor in January 1933.
40
What was the Enabling Act?
An act that gave Hitler dictatorial powers ## Footnote It allowed him to legislate without parliamentary approval.
41
What did Hitler do in violation of the Treaty of Versailles?
Rearmed Germany, expanded the army, created an air force, built warships ## Footnote He also reintroduced compulsory military service.
42
What was the Munich Agreement?
An agreement that allowed the annexation of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia to Germany ## Footnote It was part of the policy of appeasement.
43
What was the outcome of the Munich talks?
Czechoslovakia conceded its western borderlands without direct involvement in negotiations ## Footnote This illustrated power imbalances in Europe.
44
How did Hitler's actions after Munich affect Czechoslovakia?
Czechoslovakia lost additional territories to Hungary and Poland ## Footnote It was politically fragmented before Hitler’s full occupation in 1939.
45
What was the significance of the Soviet-German treaty?
Included a non-aggression pact and secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe ## Footnote This represented unprecedented cooperation between ideological enemies.
46
What was Neville Chamberlain's belief regarding appeasement?
He believed in its effectiveness for peace preservation ## Footnote This viewpoint was undermined by subsequent events.
47
What was the impact of appeasement on Hitler's strategy?
It emboldened him to exploit political divisions and distractions in Europe ## Footnote His moves were timed during periods of limited opposition.
48
What did historian Gerhard Weinberg suggest about appeasement?
It stemmed from the trauma of World War I and doubts about military engagement ## Footnote Britain and France were hesitant to engage militarily soon after WWI.
49
What was Germany's military strength by 1939?
Nearly a million soldiers, 8,000 aircraft, and 95 warships ## Footnote This buildup was unmatched by neighboring states.
50
What tactics did Hitler use to expand German territory?
Ruthless political intimidation, legal manipulation, staged referenda, military threats ## Footnote He avoided immediate full-scale war until the invasion of Poland.
51
What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the Second World War?
It sowed the seeds of the war by destabilizing Germany politically, economically, and socially ## Footnote This created grievances exploited by Hitler.
52
What characterized the Weimar Republic's governance system?
Democratic Federal Republic with a constitution and proportional representation ## Footnote It often struggled to achieve a majority government.
53
What was the significance of Article 48 in the Weimar Constitution?
Allowed the President to bypass parliament in emergencies ## Footnote Its vague definition enabled authoritarian use by Hitler.
54
What was Hitler's propaganda strategy?
Simplified messaging focused on key points and slogans ## Footnote He promised to discard the Treaty of Versailles and rebuild military strength.
55
What were the key Nazi actions post-1933?
Enabling Act, banning of other political parties, rearmament, remilitarization of the Rhineland, Anschluss ## Footnote These actions illustrated Hitler's consolidation of power.
56
What was the outcome of the policy of appeasement?
Encouraged Nazi aggression and allowed time for militarization ## Footnote It falsely reassured leaders that Hitler would be constrained.
57
What was the Phoney War?
A period of inactivity following the declaration of war where large-scale fighting was absent ## Footnote It lasted from September 1939 to May 1940.
58
What was Blitzkrieg?
A military tactic involving fast-moving invasions combining air bombardments and tank brigades ## Footnote It led to rapid conquests in Western Europe.
59
What was the outcome of the invasion of Poland?
Triggered Britain and France to declare war on Germany ## Footnote This marked the official start of World War II.
60
What military strategy did Germany employ during the rapid conquests of Western Europe in 1940?
Blitzkrieg ## Footnote Blitzkrieg tactics combined air bombardments with fast-moving tank brigades and paratroopers.
61
Which groups enforced Nazi control during the occupation of Western Europe?
SS (Schutzstaffel) ## Footnote The SS was responsible for the systematic persecution and extermination of millions of European Jews.
62
How did Hitler's public claims contrast with his actions?
Incongruent ## Footnote Hitler publicly claimed to want peace while preparing for expansion and violating international agreements.
63
What was the ideological goal central to Nazi expansionism?
Unifying Germanophone populations and acquiring lebensraum ## Footnote Lebensraum refers to the territory that the Nazis sought for the expansion of the German nation.
64
What policy failed to deter Hitler's ambitions?
Appeasement ## Footnote The policy, particularly the concessions at Munich, emboldened further Nazi aggression.
65
What marked the evolution of warfare during the early German successes?
Blitzkrieg tactics combining speed, coordination, and technological advances ## Footnote These tactics overwhelmed slower defenders and led to rapid victories.
66
What was the relationship between Nazi military conquest and racial policies?
Inseparable ## Footnote The occupation facilitated persecution and genocide of Jews and other targeted groups.
67
How did Germany openly violate the Treaty of Versailles?
Through remilitarisation, army expansion, and creation of new military branches ## Footnote These actions were conducted openly, showing blatant disregard for the treaty.
68
What was a significant factor in the lack of opposition to German troops entering the Rhineland?
Diplomatic failure ## Footnote The lack of strong opposition in 1936 encouraged further Nazi violations and expansion.
69
What did the Munich Agreement demonstrate about dealing with totalitarian regimes?
Limits of diplomatic compromise ## Footnote It compromised Czechoslovakia’s sovereignty and set a precedent for future concessions.
70
What was the purpose of the Soviet–German Non-Aggression Pact?
To divide Eastern Europe into spheres of influence ## Footnote This facilitated the German invasion of Poland.
71
What was the initial focus of the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain?
Destruction of British air power ## Footnote Commanded by Hermann Göring, it aimed to achieve air superiority for an invasion.
72
What technology helped the RAF defend against Luftwaffe attacks?
Chain Home radar system ## Footnote It provided timely warnings and was crucial in countering German air assaults.
73
What was the significance of the Blitz in World War II?
Aerial bombing campaign targeting civilian centers ## Footnote It aimed to break British morale but ultimately failed.
74
What was Operation Pied Piper?
Evacuation of 1.5 million civilians ## Footnote This operation relocated mainly children from cities to rural areas.
75
What were the consequences of the Blitz on British cities?
Widespread destruction and civilian casualties ## Footnote Approximately 43,000 civilian deaths and significant housing damage occurred.
76
What community response emerged in London during the Blitz?
Grassroots organization within bomb shelters ## Footnote Examples include Mickey’s Shelter, which promoted health care and governance.
77
What ultimately led to the end of the Blitz?
Germany's shift in focus to the Soviet Union ## Footnote The failure to achieve air dominance forced a change in military priorities.
78
What was the impact of the Blitz on British civilian morale?
Remained resilient despite adversity ## Footnote Public determination was symbolized by slogans like 'Keep calm and carry on.'
79
What was the human cost of the Blitz in terms of civilian deaths?
Approximately 43,000 deaths ## Footnote This accounted for nearly half of British civilian fatalities in WWII.
80
What was a significant event during the Blitz that highlighted its destructive impact?
Coventry raid on November 14, 1940 ## Footnote Over 500 bombers destroyed much of the city center, resulting in significant casualties.
81
What was the role of barrage balloons during the Blitz?
To force German bombers to higher altitudes ## Footnote This reduced bombing accuracy and caused losses for German aircraft.

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