starting of WW2 Flashcards
(17 cards)
What was Hitler’s belief regarding the Aryan race?
Hitler believed the German race was the best in the world
This belief was central to Nazi ideology and contributed to the justification of aggressive expansion and anti-Semitism.
What does ‘Lebensraum’ mean in the context of Hitler’s policies?
‘Living space’ in German; it referred to the idea of expanding German territory, particularly into Eastern Europe
This concept was used to justify the invasion of other countries and the displacement of populations.
What was Hitler’s stance on the Treaty of Versailles (TOV)?
He aimed to abolish it and recover all the land Germany lost
Hitler viewed the TOV as a humiliation and sought to ignore its terms, including rearmament.
What does ‘Grossdeutschland’ refer to?
Greater Germany; the idea that all Germans should be under one state
This included the annexation of Austria (Anschluss).
What were the consequences of the failures of the League of Nations (LON) in the 1930s?
Hitler acted without fear of consequences; the LON was seen as weak and ineffective
Examples include the Manchurian crisis and the Abyssinian crisis where the LON failed to intervene effectively.
What significant event occurred in Germany in 1933 regarding the League of Nations?
Germany left the League of Nations
This departure marked a significant step in Hitler’s rearmament program and the assertion of military strength.
What was the significance of the Saar plebiscite in 1935?
It was a propaganda win for Hitler, showing support even in Nazi-opponent areas
The Saar region was rich in coal, providing resources for Germany’s military buildup.
What happened during the Rhineland occupation in 1936?
Hitler broke the TOV by remilitarizing the Rhineland, and the LON did nothing
This act emboldened Hitler and increased his confidence to further defy the TOV.
What was the outcome of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) for Germany?
It served as a testing ground for Germany’s new weapons and tactics
The conflict strengthened the Rome-Berlin Axis and highlighted the weaknesses of Britain and France.
Define appeasement in the context of pre-WW2 Europe.
The policy of giving into demands to avoid war
Britain and France followed this policy in the 1930s, allowing Hitler to expand without opposition.
What was the Munich Agreement of 1938?
Hitler would gain the Sudetenland, but Czechoslovakia would keep the rest of its territory
Czechoslovakia was not allowed to participate in the negotiations, leading to distrust among European powers.
What was the significance of the Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1939?
A non-aggression pact for 10 years with secret partitioning of Polish territory
The pact shocked the world and facilitated Germany’s invasion of Poland.
What was the Anti-Comintern Pact?
An agreement between Japan and Germany against communism, with Italy joining in 1937
This alliance strengthened Hitler’s position by securing Japan as a powerful ally.
What role did the Treaty of Versailles play in the lead-up to WW2?
It caused political and economic issues in Germany, leading to resentment and the rise of Hitler
The TOV’s harsh terms were viewed as humiliating and contributed to Hitler’s election in 1933.
What was the impact of the failure of the League of Nations?
It proved weak and ineffective, failing to stop Hitler’s aggression
The lack of intervention during crises increased Hitler’s confidence in pursuing his foreign policy.
Fill in the blank: Hitler viewed Britain and France as _______.
weak
What was the outcome of the Anschluss in 1938?
Germany annexed Austria without opposition from Britain and France
This event was a key step in Hitler’s expansionist policies.
