ROAD TO WWII

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often in opposition to foreign influence.

Isolationism

A foreign policy approach where a country avoids involvement in international affairs or alliances.

Imperialism

A policy or ideology of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

Protectionism

An economic policy of restricting imports from other countries through tariffs and other trade barriers.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

An international agreement signed in 1928 in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve disputes.

Washington Naval Conference

A 1921-1922 conference aimed at naval disarmament and preventing an arms race among the world's major powers.

Disarmament

The reduction or elimination of military forces and weapons.

Dawes Plan

A 1924 plan to resolve the reparations crisis in Germany by restructuring its payment plan and providing loans.

Nazi Party

The National Socialist German Workers' Party, led by Adolf Hitler, which ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945.

Fascist

A political ideology that emphasizes authoritarian nationalism and often includes dictatorial power and suppression of opposition.

Blitzkrieg

A military tactic used by Germany in WWII characterized by rapid and surprise attacks to quickly overwhelm the enemy.

Appeasement at Munich

The policy of making concessions to Adolf Hitler in 1938 to avoid conflict, notably allowing Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland.

Holocaust

The systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime during WWII.

Pearl Harbor

The site of the surprise military attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States' entry into WWII.

Lend-Lease Program

A U.S. program during WWII that provided Allied nations with military supplies and equipment in exchange for military bases.

Four Freedoms Speech

A speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941 outlining four fundamental freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

5, 4, 9 Power Treaty

A treaty that aimed to maintain peace and balance of power among major nations after World War I, often associated with the League of Nations.

Communist Party

A political party that advocates for the principles of communism, aiming for a classless society and the abolition of private property.

Brown Shirts

The paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party in Germany, known for their violent tactics and loyalty to Adolf Hitler.

Black Shirts

The paramilitary group of the National Fascist Party in Italy, loyal to Benito Mussolini, known for their role in enforcing fascist policies.

Rise of the Dictators

The period in the early 20th century when totalitarian regimes emerged in various countries, including Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union.

Hitler

Adolf Hitler was the leader of the Nazi Party and Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, known for initiating World War II and the Holocaust.

Mein Kampf

A book written by Adolf Hitler outlining his ideology, including his views on race, anti-Semitism, and his political plans for Germany.

Third Reich

The period of Nazi rule in Germany from 1933 to 1945, characterized by totalitarianism, aggressive expansionism, and the Holocaust.

Aryan

A term used by the Nazis to describe a supposed superior race, characterized by Northern European features, which they believed should dominate society.

Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was the Italian dictator and founder of Fascism, ruling from 1922 until his ousting in 1943.

Stalin

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, known for his totalitarian regime and the Great Purge.

Franco

Francisco Franco was the Spanish general and dictator who ruled Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975, known for his authoritarian regime.

Hirohito

Emperor of Japan from 1926 to 1989, who reigned during World War II and was a symbol of Japanese nationalism.

Chamberlain

Neville Chamberlain was the British Prime Minister known for his policy of appeasement towards Hitler before World War II.

Churchill

Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister during World War II, known for his leadership and speeches that rallied the British people.

Sudetenland

A region of Czechoslovakia that was annexed by Germany in 1938, leading to increased tensions in Europe prior to World War II.

Rhineland

A demilitarized zone in Germany that Hitler violated by sending troops there in 1936, marking a significant step towards World War II.

Map of Europe

A geographical representation of Europe that illustrates the political boundaries and territories before and during World War II.

Blitzkrieg

A military strategy used by Germany during World War II characterized by rapid and surprise attacks to overwhelm the enemy.

Luftwaffe

The aerial warfare branch of the German Wehrmacht during World War II, responsible for air operations.

Non Aggression Pact

An agreement between two or more countries to not engage in military action against each other, notably the pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice against, hatred of, or discrimination against Jews, which was a central tenet of Nazi ideology.

Nuremberg Laws

A series of laws enacted in Nazi Germany in 1935 that institutionalized racial discrimination against Jews.

Warsaw Ghetto

A section of Warsaw, Poland, where Jews were forcibly confined during the Holocaust, leading to severe overcrowding and starvation.

Kristallnacht

Also known as the Night of Broken Glass, it was a coordinated attack on Jewish businesses and synagogues in Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

Protocols of the Elders of Zion

A fabricated text that purported to describe a Jewish plan for global domination, used to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Wannsee Conference

A meeting held in 1942 where Nazi officials discussed the implementation of the Final Solution, the plan to exterminate the Jews.

Allies

The coalition of countries, including the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, that fought against the Axis powers in World War II.

Axis

The coalition of countries led by Germany, Italy, and Japan that opposed the Allies during World War II.

Reichstag

The German parliament building in Berlin, which became a symbol of Nazi power after the Reichstag Fire in 1933.

Battle of Britain

A significant air campaign waged by the German Luftwaffe against the United Kingdom in 1940, marking the first major defeat of Hitler's military forces.

RAF

The Royal Air Force, the aerial warfare service of the United Kingdom, which played a crucial role in defending Britain during World War II.

Franklin D Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States, who led the country during the Great Depression and most of World War II.

Norman Rockwell

An American painter and illustrator known for his depictions of everyday life and American culture, including works during the World War II era.

1936 Olympics

The Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany, which were used by the Nazi regime to promote their ideology and showcase German strength.

Jesse Owens

An African American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, challenging Nazi racial ideology.