WW2 Essay Flashcards
(9 cards)
Treaty of versailles
- Harsh Reparations on Germany
The Treaty of Versailles imposed 132 billion gold marks in reparations (about $33 billion at the time).
Germany struggled to pay, leading to economic collapse, hyperinflation (1923), and mass unemployment.
The economic crisis weakened the democratic Weimar Republic, making people desperate for radical solutions.
The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, promised economic recovery and an end to reparations, gaining massive support.
Treaty of versailles
War Guilt Clause (Article 231)
The Treaty forced Germany to accept full responsibility for World War I.
This deeply angered Germans, as they believed the war was not solely their fault.
Nationalists and the Nazi Party used this clause as propaganda, portraying Germany as a victim.
Hitler promised to restore German pride and overturn the Treaty, which helped him gain power.
Treaty of versailles
Territorial Losses and Military Restrictions
Germany lost 13% of its territory and all overseas colonies, which angered the public.
Key losses included:
Alsace-Lorraine (given to France)
Polish Corridor (split Germany from East Prussia)
Saarland (controlled by the League of Nations)
The German military was limited to 100,000 soldiers, with no air force or submarines.
Hitler ignored these restrictions, rebuilding the army and reclaiming lost territories, leading to war.
The Great Depression
- Cause: Economic Collapse in Germany
Effect: Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party
The Great Depression (1929) led to mass unemployment and economic hardship in Germany.
The Weimar Republic struggled to fix the crisis, making people lose faith in democracy.
Hitler and the Nazi Party promised jobs, economic recovery, and national revival, gaining massive support.
By 1933, Hitler became Chancellor, and soon after, he dismantled democracy and took total control.
The Great Depression
- Cause: U.S. Economic Collapse
Effect: U.S. Isolationism and Weak Response to Aggression
The U.S. was hit hard by the Depression and focused on domestic recovery, avoiding global conflicts.
The U.S. passed Neutrality Acts (1930s), limiting aid to other countries and avoiding involvement in European tensions.
This allowed Germany, Italy, and Japan to expand without fear of U.S. intervention.
Hitler took advantage of this, annexing Austria (1938) and invading Czechoslovakia (1939).
The Great Depression
- Cause: Economic Struggles in Britain and France
Effect: Policy of Appeasement Toward Hitler
Britain and France were suffering from economic problems due to the Depression.
They were reluctant to spend money on military buildup and wanted to avoid another costly war.
This led to appeasement, where they allowed Hitler to expand to avoid conflict.
The most famous example was the Munich Agreement (1938), where they let Hitler take the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia.
Fascism in Germany
- Cause: Totalitarian Control Under Hitler
Effect: Suppression of Opposition and Military Expansion
Fascism in Germany meant a one-party dictatorship under Adolf Hitler.
The Nazi regime silenced all political opposition (banning communists, socialists, and trade unions).
Without opposition, Hitler rebuilt the military in violation of the Treaty of Versailles (e.g., expanding the army, creating the Luftwaffe).
This emboldened German aggression, leading to invasions of Austria and Czechoslovakia.
Fascism in Germany
- Cause: Fascist Militarism and Glorification of War
Effect: Germany’s Aggressive Expansionism
Fascist ideology glorified war as a means to achieve national greatness.
Hitler promoted the idea of a strong, aggressive Germany reclaiming its past glory.
This led to Germany’s remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936), annexation of Austria (1938), and invasion of Poland (1939).
These actions directly triggered WWII when Britain and France declared war after the invasion of Poland.
Fascism in Germany
- Cause: Fascist Control of the Economy (War Economy)
Effect: Rapid German Rearmament and War Readiness
The Nazi state controlled industries to focus on military production.
Programs like Rearmament (1935) and the Four-Year Plan (1936) prepared Germany for war.
By 1939, Germany had a powerful, well-equipped army, ready for conquest.
This allowed Hitler to invade Poland with Blitzkrieg tactics, marking the start of WWII.
