History Flashcards
(17 cards)
What were Hitler’s goals regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
Overturn the Treaty of Versailles, rebuild German military strength, reclaim lost territory, and unite all German-speaking people under one Reich.
What does Lebensraum mean?
Lebensraum means ‘Living Space’ and involved expanding eastward into Poland and the Soviet Union while removing Slavic peoples to make space for Germans.
What was Hitler’s view on Communism?
Hitler viewed the USSR and communism as threats and wanted to eliminate Soviet influence in Europe.
What was the Anschluss with Austria?
Anschluss was the unification of Germany and Austria into a Greater Germany, achieved in 1938.
What was the impact of the reoccupation of the Rhineland in 1936?
It violated the Treaty of Versailles; France and Britain did not react, encouraging Hitler to be more aggressive.
What was the significance of the Anschluss with Austria in 1938?
It broke Treaty terms, increased Germany’s territory and power, and faced little opposition from Britain and France.
What happened during the Sudetenland Crisis in September 1938?
Hitler gained territory from Czechoslovakia via the Munich Agreement, with Britain using appeasement.
What occurred with the occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939?
There was no excuse of uniting Germans, proving Hitler was pursuing expansion beyond reversing Versailles.
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact of August 1939?
It was a non-aggression deal with the USSR that secretly divided Poland, removing the fear of a two-front war for Hitler.
What was the immediate cause of WWII?
The invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, led Britain and France to declare war on Germany two days later.
How did Hitler’s foreign policy lead to war?
He broke international agreements, used deceit to gain territory, militarized Germany, created tension in Europe, and made diplomatic moves that allowed for invasion.
What role did appeasement play in the lead-up to WWII?
Britain and France allowed Hitler to break treaties without serious consequences, which gave him confidence that the Allies would not intervene.
What was the failure of the League of Nations?
The League could not stop aggression, had no army, and major powers like the USA were not members, making it weak.
How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to WWII?
It left Germany humiliated and economically weak, creating resentment and a desire for revenge that helped Hitler rise to power.
What impact did the Great Depression have on WWII?
It caused instability and extreme politics across Europe, making countries more focused on internal problems and less likely to resist aggression.
How far was Hitler to blame for WWII?
Hitler’s foreign policy was the key trigger for war, especially with the invasion of Poland, but appeasement and other factors made it easier for him to act.
