History 2024 Flashcards

Question

Describe the Maginot Line

Answer 1

The French government embarked on a plan to safeguard France's border with Germany. The French built a line of ‘super trenches’ known as the Maginot Line. Unfortunately for France, the Germans successfully bypassed it. However, it still provided time for the army to mobilise and acted as a shield of protection for French soldiers. This highlights the changing nature of warfare through a more advanced trench system compared to WWI, with new and improved aircraft and tanks, and there was no longer a stalemate in the trenches.

Answer 2

First used by Germans in 1939, it involves rapid and well-coordinated air and land attacks to surprise and overwhelm the enemy. After the initial attack from the air, slower-moving ground forces ‘mopped up’ the overwhelmed defenders and took control of their territory. This tactic contributed to the early success of the Nazi German military. This highlighted the change in warfare to smarter and more effective plans. In addition, this focused mainly on attacking large cities and countries and destroying buildings and civilian homes.

Answer 3

A sophisticated new way of sending secret messages during WWII. A machine known as the ‘Enigma’ translated the Axis powers' communication, which could not be cracked by the Allied powers for a long time. However, in 1941, British codebreakers developed the ‘Bombe’ that deciphered the code. This then allowed the Allies to intercept German communication and change the outcome of many wars.

Answer 4

During WWII, the most devastating of all new weaponry was the atomic bomb. Atomic bombs were dropped from planes and other aerial machines and had devastating results on the area and the people they were dropped upon. Unsuspecting victims were immediately killed, and their homes and towns were destroyed. The most significant use of the atomic bomb was by Japan in 1945, which ultimately led to the end of WWII.

Answer 5

POW stands for Prisoner of War. This is someone being held captive by the enemy during war. Typically they were tortured and treated very badly. In the course of WWII, approximately 37,000 Australians became Prisoners of War. German and Italian forces captured about 15,500 Australians in campaigns across Europe and The Middle East. They became POWs and were placed in camps in Austria, Germany and Poland. The Japanese captured over 22,000 Australians, most of whom were taken prisoner when Singapore surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. They were placed in POW camps throughout East Asia. Australians staying In Japanese camos were especially badly treated due to their ideals that one should rather die than surrender. Germany and Italy signed the Geneva Convention (an agreement that POWS could not be tortured) and Therefore did not see the need to treat POWS poorly. The three main POW camps in East Asia were: The Burma Thailand Railway The Changi POW Camp The Sandakan Death March In these camps, POWs were treated very badly and lived under poor conditions, and cramped living spaces and were Commonly starved, beaten and forced to work long hours. Overall, POWs had a horrible experience filled with Cruelty, heartbreak and death. However, this was also contrasted by acts of selflessness and humanity. For example, showed remarkable solidarity and support for one another. They shared limited food and resources and looked after fellow inmates’ health and well-being.

Answer 6

During WWII women experienced significant changes as they stepped into roles traditionally held by men due to labor shortages while they were away fighting for their country. Women filled their jobs, encouraged by ‘Rosie the Riveter.’ These jobs included clerks, builders and mechanics. Others worked in factories that produced ammunition, aircraft, food, uniforms and weapons. The rest stayed at home and looked after their Children and completed domestic duties. They also served in auxiliary military services like the Women’s Army Corps (WAC.) The war challenged traditional gender norms and changed perceptions of women in society. Although many faced personal loss and discrimination in the workplace, their contributions laid the groundwork for future movements advocating for gender equality. After the war, while some were expected to return to domestic roles, their experiences significantly influenced the push for women’s rights in the following decades.

Answer 7

During World War II, both Australian combatants faced harsh and challenging conditions. Australian soldiers often navigated the dense jungles and rugged terrain of the Pacific campaigns, particularly on the Kokoda Track, where they contended with thick vegetation, treacherous mud, and a hot, humid climate. The heavy rain created muddy paths that complicated movement and logistics, while poor sanitation and limited access to clean water increased the risk of diseases like malaria. These harsh conditions not only affected their health but also their morale, as many soldiers struggled with fatigue and the psychological toll of warfare. The Australian army often consisted of inexperienced teenagers and volunteers. The war also impacted their personal lives, as they dealt with separation from family and uncertainty about the future. Despite the struggles, Australian soldiers exhibited resilience and camaraderie, often forming deep bonds with their fellow servicemen, which became a source of strength in the face of adversity. They inspired Australia through the depths they went to fight for their country and how they put their lives on the line in the process.

Answer 8

The Fuzzy Wuzzies also known as the ‘Black Angels’, was used to describe the Papua New Guinean stretcher bearers. Their main role was to help the Australian soldiers during WWII with tasks such as carrying the injured soldiers, holding supplies and building huts and shelter. The relationship between the Fuzzy Wuzzies and Australian Combatants was one greatly contested. This compatibility began with a poem about Fuzzy Wuzzies and a famous photograph showing a Fuzzy Wuzzy guiding an injured Australian soldier. These sources would suggest they were honoured wartime heroes and the bond between the two was one of fondness and friendship. Although this was sometimes the case, it is also believed they were cruelly treated. Many were forced into the labour they did after signing a contract that meant they would have to survive 3 years. The Fuzzy Wuzzies were also beaten, threatened death penalties if they did not comply, maltreated and they were treated like slaves and an inferior race compared to the Australians.

Answer 9

The homefront refers to those who remained at home during the war. Typically women, children and elderly.

Answer 10

World War II had a profound impact on the Australian home front, transforming daily life in numerous ways. The government employed extensive propaganda to boost morale and encourage enlistment, while censorship controlled information about the war to maintain public support. With many men enlisted women stepped into roles traditionally held by men, significantly changing societal norms and laying the groundwork for future advancements in women's rights. The fear of invasion led to displacement, as families relocated from coastal areas to safer regions, and anxiety permeated everyday life, particularly after events like the bombing of Darwin. Economically, the war necessitated the implementation of rationing and price controls, compelling citizens to adjust their consumption patterns of essential goods like food, clothing, and fuel. Manufacturing also shifted significantly, with many factories converting to produce wartime supplies, leading to a boom in the industrial sector. This transition created jobs and increased government control over the economy, which, in turn, laid the foundation for post-war economic growth. Despite these challenges, a strong sense of community spirit emerged, with Australians rallying together to support the war effort through fundraising and local defence initiatives. Overall, the war reshaped Australian society, influencing gender roles, community dynamics, and the economy while instilling a lasting sense of fear and uncertainty.

Answer 11

The Atomic Bomb: The war in Europe had ended but the war in the Pacific was still going. While Germany was out of the War, Japan remained. The Japanese recognised they could not defeat the U.S. army but insisted on fighting until the end. U.S. President Harry Truman proclaimed that the unconditional surrender from Japan would be the only acceptable outcome. To achieve this, he had two options: Invade Japan on the ground or use the Atomic Bomb. President Truman decided to use the bomb, first dropping it on Hiroshima and after Japan did not surrender, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later. Japan surrendered after more than 100,000 Japanese civilians lost their lives as a result of the atomic bomb. This ended the war in the Pacific.

Answer 12

This was the largest, air, sea and land operation in military history. The landings began in Normandy France where the U.S. soldiers targeted 5 beaches for landings. The most significant of which was Omaha. However, this was the wrong beach and U.S. soldiers had to run 300 yards across the beach in the line of open fire by the German army. 11 hours after the landing, the U.S. captured Omaha although this was short of their goal and they suffered many casualties. This was especially significant as it was the first step in ending the war in Europe. Operation Overlord freed and recontroleld German-occupied France and allowed the Allied forces to become closer to Germany to proceed the war. The Allies then attacked Germany and Hitler committed suicide after accepting Germany would lose the war and to avoid being captured and killed for his crimes. This was only the first step. After D-Day, the Allies and the Soviet Union pushed eastward towards Germany, with American, British, and French forces racing the Soviets to Berlin. By late April 1945, Soviet forces had encircled the German capital. Days later, on May 7, 1945, Germany officially surrendered, marking the end of the war in Europe, a day celebrated as V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day).

Answer 13

For: Fewer lives lost Quick and definite end to the war Protect American troops from the Japanese Interest to see the bomb used after the significant investments made on it Act as a deterrent to Russia Against: Japan was already going to surrender so the bomb being dropped was not necessary The effects of the Bomb led to 100,000 innocent civilian deaths and destruction of homes and livelihoods

Answer 14

Escalation: vilification -discrimination - separation - extermination

Answer 15

The action of the state of moving or being moved apart. Specifically the development of Ghettos to remove Jews from society.

Answer 16

When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, around 3 million Jews came under German Control. Then Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, and several million more Jews came under Nazi rule. To separate the Jews from the rest of the population, the Nazi Germany established Ghettos. A ghetto was a section of the city where confined and restricted to live behind walls, fences or barbed wire. The Germans wanted to isolate Jews and completely disconnect them from the world around them, other Jews and everyday life.

Answer 17

killing, especially of a whole group of people. This was conducted in a systematic nature by the Nazi regime.

Answer 18

Life in the ghettos during the Holocaust was marked by extreme hardship and resourcefulness among Jewish communities. Ghettos like Lodz, Warsaw and Terezin were overcrowded, with an average of 67 people crammed into a single room, leading to the spread of diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. This is also evident by a report illustrating that 30% of the city's total population was pushed in 2.4% of the population's original area. Further, the ghettos were filled with death as Jews died from malnutrition, disease and torture by German officials. Seen when, In 1942, ½ ghetto population died, 33,000 Jews died and 88000 were sent to gas chambers. They lived under brutal conditions with forced labour and torture when Jews did not comply. They were given minimal food rations and as a result, many died from starvation. For example, in the Lodz ghetto, they received 1 loaf of bread every 8 days. Despite the oppressive circumstances, Jewish communities sought to maintain a sense of normalcy through resistance in the ghettos. For example, they would establish schools, engage in cultural practices, turn cigarette wrappers into playing cards, smuggle food, form communities, read and write poetry, set up communication networks form youth groups and sing and dance.

Answer 19

During the early development of ghettos, none were established within Germany itself, primarily as a way to maintain plausible deniability, allowing Germans to distance themselves from the Jewish population and act as though they did not exist. Therefore, around 1,000 ghettos were created in occupied territories across Eastern Europe. This was because most Jews were already located here and Eastern Europe was ultimately decided upon as the Nazis believed Western Europeans had a higher racial level. The first ghetto was created in Poland in October 1939.

Answer 20

Closed Ghettos: These were enclosed with walls or fences, where Jews were forced to live in crowded and unsanitary conditions leading to high mortality rates. Open Ghettos: had no physical barriers but imposed restrictions on entry and exit. Destruction Ghettos: Were tightly sealed off for a short period before the Jews within the camp were deported or executed.

Answer 21

Resistance in Ghettos Involved efforts by Jews to oppose Nazi oppression, including organising armed uprisings and underground movements. These acts were aimed at survival, defiance, and maintaining dignity under brutal conditions Act of Defiance The uprising in Warsaw - The largest act of Jewish resistance - where some Germans were killed using improvised weapons Protests, underground education, currency, Ringlblum Archive Forming communities, sneaking/stealing food, soup kitchens, courage, hope, orchestra, giving people will to live, hospitals, underground bunkers, raising Jewish and Polish flags, cultural resistance Avoid deportation Jewish combat organisation Some Jews forged documents to help other Jews escape Acts of sabotage targeted Nazi operations and infrastructure Communication networks Spiritual defince such as secret religiis cermenies ‘Youth groups Sympohony orchestra in Lodz ghetto The Warsaw uprising - inspired other revolts

Answer 22

Warsaw, Terezin and Lodz

Answer 23

his was an underground collection of evidence on life within the ghettos by Emanual Ringelblum. The Oyneg Shabbles was the name of the group that met every Saturday within the Warsaw Ghetto and documented their life and the fate of Jews under Nazi rule.

Answer 24

It was created to capture the true reality of Jewish life that was not from a German perspective. This would also be important so the world could know truly what the murders had done and to commemorate the lives of the Jews who passed in Ghettos and throughout the Holocaust

Answer 25

All Jews of any age, gender, religion, ideologies, and beliefs would contribute to the evidence collection. This was important so that it wasn't just one perspective but rather hundreds that would provide historians with an accurate depiction of their lives.

Answer 26

The archive contains Chronicles, diaries, photographs, letters, and various items.

Answer 27

The limitations of this Archive include that it was mainly focused on the Warsaw Ghetto when Jews started getting deported they had to change strategies and members of their group were separated and because they worked ‘underground’ it limited what they could collect.

Answer 28

The information was stored in 3 metal boxes. Today, Historians have located 2 out of the three and the third has yet to be discovered.

Answer 29

During the Holocaust the Jewish population were forced into making ‘choices’ which were really ‘choiceless choices.’ These choiceless choices were moral dilemmas where all available options were all available options are ethically troubling, leaving the person with no real or desirable choice. Usually these ‘choices’ will end with the same outcome. For example, the Jews would have to choose if they were murdered or if they would fight and then be murdered.

Answer 30

Jewish councils were set up within the Jewish communities of Nazi-occupied Europe (where the Ghettos were) on German orders (These orders included providing a list of names to deport, registration of population, forced labour, distribution of supplies and giving and maintaining curfews). The Judenrat was given the responsibility to implement the Nazis’ policies regarding the Jews. These Jewish councils often performed a balancing act: on one hand, they felt a responsibility to help their fellow Jews as much as possible, on the other hand, they were supposed to carry out orders of the Nazi authorities - often at the expense of their fellow Jews. The first Judenrat was established in occupied Poland in the fall of 1939. These original Judenrats were composed of 12 - 24 ‘Influecnial Jewish men and rabbis” who didn't know Nazi intentions and wanted to help Jews but they later realised the true Nazi intentions and accepted it. The Judenrats re-established systems of education, culture and religious services in the ghettos maintained health and welfare institutions and arranged for garbage removal and postal services. Most Judenrats complied with these German orders as they thought that Jews would be viewed as productive and useful and therefore receive less harsh punishments. However, in a few cases, the Jundenrats would use their privileged positions for personal gains such as helping their family. This led to much animosity and criticism on the part of Jewish communties. Overall, the Judenratsbwere forced into moral dilemmas also known as choiceless choices where they would have to make cruel decisions with unpredicted circumstances. As restrictions, hunger, shortages and disease worsened in the ghettos this choice became increasingly more extreme. The most difficult dilemma came when they were told to give a list of names of Jews who were to be deported, often to death camps.

Answer 31

Einsatzgruppen refers to mobile SS killing units that travelled behind the Wehrmacht (German Army) that invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 in Operation Barbarossa. Their job was to search for opponents of the Reich including Communists and all Jews - and execute them. There are four units of Einsatzgrupen named Einsatzgruppe A, B, C and D. Each was assigned to liquidate the Jews in its region. The Einsatzgruppen did not work alone, they were regularly assisted by other German soldiers, German police units and local collaborators in various locations.

Answer 32

The Einsatzgruppen put up posters telling all Jews to report to the city square, the Jews did not know what to expect and brought all their belongings. They then transported these people to ravines, mines, quarries, ditches or pits dug specifically for this purpose. They were forced to hand over all their belongings and remove their clothing. They were then told to stand in front of the ditches before being shot one by one. Their bodies would then fall into the ditch which was essentially a grave.

Answer 33

Example - The biggest/most famous example of the Einsatizgruppen was the mass killing in a ravine called Babi Yar. This execution was done by Einsatzgruppe C and over 30,000 Jews were murdered. ➡ By the end of 1943, the Einstazgruppen had exterminated 1.35 million Jews and hundreds of thousands of Soviets.

Answer 34

The constant up-close contact with murder had a destructive effect on the Einsatgruppen murders and therefore they decided an alternative was needed. Additionally, it was thought that the shootings were not effective enough as they took too much time and did not kill enough Jews.

Answer 35

What do we do with all the Jews? Note this was an example of a Euphemism

Answer 36

➡ The term “Final solution of the Jewish population” was a euphemism for the mass murder of Europe’s Jews. Although many Jews were killed before the final solution, the vast majority of Jewish victims were murdered during this period. ➡ The Final solution was the culmination of a decade of increasingly severe discriminatory, anti -Jewish measures implemented by the Nazis.

Answer 37

The intentionalists believe that it was always planned that all the Jews would be murdered in mass killings, whereas functionalists believe that somewhere along the way Hitler and the Nazi party decided that this should and would happen.

Answer 38

ne possible solution was sending the Jews to Madagascar but this was eventually ruled out and gas was chosen as their method of murder.

Answer 39

This was preferred over the method used by the Einsatzgruppen as it was efficient, clean, cheap, and easy and did not have as much of a physiological toll on the well-being of the German soldiers and collaborators who executed the killings.

Answer 40

Once this had been decided a meeting known as the Wansee conference was held in a villa on Lake Wansee on the western edge of Berlin. Although this meeting was planned by Adolf Hitler and other high-ranking nazi officials such as Goebbels, Gerring and Himler, they did not attend due to plausible deniability. This meant they could say they did not know it was happening and wouldn't get blamed for it being unethical. Instead, 15 high-ranked nazi officials attended this conference to discuss and plan how they would execute their solution to the Jewish question. The solution had already been decided, so this conference was to alert people of their role in their plan which would exterminate their goal of 11 million Jews using gas. This conference took 90 minutes.

Answer 41

Their plans were then executed and first, they began with gas vans, but Nazi leaders found mobile killing squads to be problematic, leading to the construction of extermination camps during the "Final Solution," which targeted Jews for mass murder. Six extermination camps, including Auschwitz, were established in occupied Poland, where millions of Jews were deported to be killed, often immediately upon arrival. Auschwitz, the largest, housed over a million victims, most of them Jewish. These camps were strategically located in isolated areas with access to railways for the efficient transport of prisoners. Survivors describe horrific conditions, forced labour, and inhumane treatment. The camp was liberated by Soviet forces in January 1945, but by then, nearly a million Jews and thousands of others had been murdered. By the end of the Holocaust, 6 million Jews had been murdered, falling short of the Nazis' goal of 11 million. However, this in no way diminishes the horrific scale of the tragedy or the countless lives brutally lost during this period.

Answer 42

Concentration camps were primarily used to imprison and exploit the labour of political prisoners, Jews, Rome Gypsies and other minority groups. Prisoners were subjected to harsh conditions, forced labour and starvation.

Answer 43

On the other hand, Death camps were designed explicitly for mass extermination, often within hours of their arrival at the camp.

Answer 44

To strengthen our understanding of the Holocaust and to understand that this event could happen again it is vital to see the perspective of the collaborators and Nazis as humans. Many of them were just going to work every day some trying to get a promotion and others happy with their ranking. They would then go home to their families - maybe their wives and children - and continue about their day.

Answer 45

A person who is present at an event but does not take part

Answer 46

A person who is involved and works jointly in an activity

Answer 47

A person who carries out a harmful, illegal or immoral act

Answer 48

The story of liberation after the Holocaust is complex, highlighting the contrast between hope and the struggle for survivors. As Allied troops advanced in 1944 and 1945, they uncovered the horrific realities of concentration camps, revealing the extent of Nazi atrocities. General Eisenhower emphasized the need to document these horrors to combat any future claims of propaganda. However, liberation brought new challenges. Survivors were often too weak to celebrate, confronting the profound loss of family, homes, and communities. A survey showed that 76% of Jewish refugees had lost all immediate family members. The immediate aftermath was fraught with uncertainty; many survivors found themselves alone and frightened. Antisemitism persisted, and those returning to their homes faced hostility, with over 1,000 Jews killed in Poland in the year following liberation. People had also stolen their homes and property, meaning the Jews had nothing left. Most then had to stay in Displaced Persons (DP) camps in Germany, Austria, and Italy. However, these camps often had poor conditions and were built within the old concentration camps. Despite the joy of liberation, the Holocaust left deep scars, and survivors struggled with the loss of loved ones and the desire for connection. Many formed relationships out of a shared experience of loss. As the birth rate began to rise in the camps, having children symbolized hope for the future, though new mothers faced significant challenges without familial support. The last DP camp closed in 1957, with many survivors relocating to Israel or other countries, including Australia. Here a close-knit community was formed known as the Buchenwald Boys. They supported each other in their new lives and maintained connections, celebrating resilience through events like the Buchenwald Ball.

Answer 49

Active involvement in saving Jew/s from death or camps Risks to rescuers' life, liberty or position The initial motivation must be to help the Jews not for money or personal gain Evidence of their help

Answer 50

Righteous Among the Nations is a title used by Yad Vashem to describe people who, for various reasons, made an effort to assist victims, including Jews, who were exterminated by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. They made quick decisions to aid those in need, often committing long-term despite severe risks such as execution. Their varied backgrounds highlighted their unity and moral principles in the face of persecution. The Righteous Among the Nations serves as a moving reminder that even in the darkest of times, ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference for what is just and right.

Answer 51

➡ Most Holocaust perpetrators were not tried for their crimes, with many evading justice by changing identities, fleeing Europe or committing suicide Investigation continues, but the remaining perpetrators are over 90 years old, and most will never face justice.

Answer 52

Adolf Hitler: Committed suicide by gunshot Joseph Goebbels: Commted suicide by cyanide poisoning Henrich Himmler: Committed suicide by cyanide poisoning Reinhard Heydrich: Died of injuries sustained in an assassination attempt Adolf Eichman: Executed by hanging - the first time survivors spoke up Herman Göring: Was sentenced to death but committed suicide shortly before

Answer 53

After the war had ended, Allied powers formed the International Military Tribunal (IMT). From 1945 - 1946 Nazi German leaders stood trial for their crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing crimes. On October 1, 1946, the Tribunal convicted 19 of the defendants and let off 3. Of those convicted 12 were sentenced to death. 3 others were sentenced to life in prison and 4 were sentenced to 10 -20 years in prison.

Answer 54

We need to keep their stories alive and commemorate the lives that were lost We now have the responsibility to teach others and ensure it never happens again Learn the danger of antisemitism, discrimination and racial ideologies Stop Bullying It is the everyday people who hold the power Be an upstander, not a bystander

History 2024 Flashcards

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