World War II Flashcards
(31 cards)
Fascism
-A far-right political ideology that emerged in early 20th-century Europe as a response to perceived threats from socialism and communism.
-It is characterized by extreme opposition to liberal democracy, promotion of militarism, and the use of propaganda to maintain control.
9 Traits of Fascism
- “The Mythic Past”: “We used to be great”
- Propaganda
- Anti-Intellectualism: Undermining critical thinking.
-Unreality: The erasure of truth and the promotion of a distorted reality.
-Hierarchy
-Victimhood
-Law and Order:
-Sexual Anxiety: The minorities are coming after women and children.
-Work shall make you free: The minority group is lazy and must be made to work.
Benito Mussolini
The founder of Italian Fascism and the totalitarian leader of Italy from 1922 to 1943. He capitalized on economic instability and social unrest after World War I, portraying himself as a strong leader who could restore Italy’s greatness.
Black Shirts
The paramilitary forces of the Italian Fascist Party during the 1920s and 1930s. They were known for their black uniforms and for their violent suppression of political opposition, and intimidation to control public opinion and suppress dissent, particularly left-wing groups like communists and socialists.
Core Beliefs of Fascism
- War is Noble
- Life = Struggle + Duty
- Rejects Marxism
-Rejects Democracy: Majority rule and equality are false myths; not all people are equal. - The State is Supreme
-Limited Freedom
-Supports Empire & Expansion
-Authoritarianism is Needed
-Century of the State: The 20th century will be the age of collectivism and Fascist authority
Nazism
A far-right political group in Germany that rose to power in the early 20th century, led by Adolf Hitler. This party is known for its totalitarian and fascist ideology, which emphasized extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and the belief in Aryan racial superiority.
Adolf Hitler
The leader of the Nazi Party and became the Chancellor of Germany in 1933, later becoming a tyrannical leader. He rose to power during a time of economic turmoil and public discontent.
Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
A political manifesto written by Adolf Hitler during his imprisonment in 1923, outlining his ideology of extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and the concept of Lebensraum (living space) for territorial expansion. This book became a foundational text for the Nazi Party.
Lebensraum (living space)
The idea that they have the right to conquer a continent to spread and enslave conquered peoples to work the land. The territory that a state or nation believes is needed for its natural development.
Enabling Act
- An act passed in 1933 that allowed the German government to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag, effectively giving Hitler dictatorial powers for 4 years.
- This critical piece of legislation marked a turning point in the consolidation of Nazi authority, facilitating the dismantling of democratic institutions and the establishment of a totalitarian regime.
Reichstag Fire
An arson attack on the Reichstag (German parliament) building in Berlin on February 12, 1933. A Dutch communist called Marinus van der Lubbe was accused of starting the arson attack and was executed. Hitler used the attack as an excuse to severely limit civil liberties and restrict the activities of the Communist Party.
Night of Long Knives
A purge orchestrated by Adolf Hitler in 1934. He ordered the execution of several leaders of the SA (Sturmabteilung) and other potential rivals within the Nazi Party to consolidate his power
Jesse Owens
A renowned African American track and field athlete who achieved fame for his outstanding performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He won four gold medals, becoming the first American to accomplish this in the sport. His victories were a powerful symbolic blow to Hitler’s ideology of racial superiority.
Invasion of Manchuria
The Japanese military’s occupation of Manchuria in 1931, triggered by the Mukden Incident. The invasion was a manifestation of Japan’s desire for resources, markets, and strategic space, fueling their imperial ambitions. None of the League of Nations did anything about the invasion due to economic hardships and encouraged Mussolini and Hitler to go against it.
The Second Italo-Ethiopian War
A military campaign launched by Fascist Italy in 1935 to conquer and annex Ethiopia. Ethiopia was one of the few African nations to remain independent during the Scramble for Africa and humiliated Italy during their first attempt to conquer them. The war tested the League of Nations to see how they would react, and they failed to enforce international peace which undermined their credibility to expansionist countries.
The Second Sino-Japanese War
A major conflict between China and Japan from 1939-1945. It’s considered the beginning of World War II in Asia, and a key event in the lead-up to the global conflict.
Hitler and the Treaty of Versailles
Due to the harsh terms the Treaty of Versailles gave to Germany, Hitler capitalized on the widespread resentment and instability to gain power. He would start defying it by rebuilding the German military and sending them to Rhineland (A demilitarized region that borders France and Belgium) to strengthen them. He was encouraged to disregard the treaty due to inaction from other countries.
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
A treaty signed by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. The two nations, who had vastly different ideologies, agreed to avoid aggression against each other and secretly divided Eastern European territories. This pact allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, effectively triggering World War II in Europe.
Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Pact (Axis Powers)
A military alliance formed in 1936-1940 between Italy, Germany, and Japan. They aimed to secure their own imperial and fascist interests and create a coalition against their common enemies, particularly the Soviet Union and the Allied Powers.
Phony War
An 8th month period of relative inactivity in the Western Front of World War II from September 1939 to May 1940. Germany had invaded Poland, causing Great Britain and France to declare war, but no major battles occurred. It ended after Germany invaded France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Maginot Line
A system of fortifications built by France along its border in the 1930s to prevent German invasion and static warfare like World War I. The line was ineffective and outdated, as German forces bypassed it by invading Belgium and didn’t prevent the rapid German conquest of France in 1940.
Blitzkrieg
The Battle of France
A German military campaign that swiftly overran France and the Low Countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) in May and June of 1940. Using Blitzkrieg, it caused France to fall and established the Vichy Regime, a puppet state.
U.S Isolation
The U.S. adopted an isolationist stance after World War I, driven by a desire to avoid the entanglements that led to the war and a focus on domestic recovery during the 1920s. The rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe and Asia challenged U.S. isolationism, but it remained until the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and Germany declaring war on the U.S.
