HASS TEST WWII

When and Where was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

Was signed in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, on the 28th June 1919, officially ending WWI.

How many countries participated in the Treaty

thirty-two countries

Who were the “big three”. Who was the “fourth”.

Prime Minister David Lloyd George of Britain. Premier Georges Clemenceau of France and President Woodrow Wilson of the United States. Vittorio Orlando - Italy

What were the views of the “big three”.

Britain (DLG): Had two views. In public he wanted to punish Germany harshly to stay as Prime Minister but in private he realised the importance of creating trade links between the nations. He believed teaming up with Germany could help fight against Communist Russia.

America (WW): He had a view to punish Germany but not to harshly as it could create another war. He also wanted to create the League of Nations for world peace. They also became isolationists.

France (GC): Nicknamed the “Tiger” for his aggressive attitude towards Germany. He wanted revenge and security making Germany pay $33 billion USD for reparations and damages, to weaken Germany so they could never invade France again.

Why did Germany call the Treaty of Versailles the “Dictated Peace” (Diktat)?

The new Government of Germany was shocked on how harsh the Treaty was, not being able to change the terms as they would’ve liked. This caused them to feel humiliated and called it “The Dictated Peace” (Diktat).

1st three rules that really impacted Germany

1. Germany was forced to admit “war guilt” and therefore accept complete blame for starting the ear

2. Due to the acceptance of the “war guilt clause” Germany had to pay about $33 US billion in reparations. Germany had to give the allies livestock, ships, trains and other goods to replace those destroyed during the war.

3. Germany lost 13% of its European territory (and the 6 million people living in these areas) to nations such as France and Poland.

3 rules that impacted Germany’s army

1. Large German naval vessels and submarines were not permitted

2. Germany was not permitted planes or an air force

3. The German Army was restricted to a maximum of 100,000 service men and conscription was abolished

2 rules that had positive affects on other countries

1. The coal fields of the Saar Basin could be mined by France for 15 years

2. Germany was declared to be “colonially unworthy” and its overseas colonies were handed over to countries such as the British Empire, France, Belgium and Japan.

The last two rules

1. The Rhineland had to remain a demilitarised zone

2. The League of Nations was established. This organisation had the main aim of maintaining world peace.

Was WWII destructive?

WWII was the most destructive war in history, causing more damage and deaths than any other war.

When was WWII and how did it start?

WWII was between 1939-1945 and even though the war in Europe began with Germany’s attack on Poland on 1st September 1939 there were a series of events, Hitlers Acts of Aggression, that led to the conflict.

Who were the three European dictators prior to WWII.

• Adolf Hitler was the Nazi leader of Germany

• Benito Mussolini the Fascist leader of Italy

• Joseph Stalin Communist leader of Russia (Soviet Union)

What alliance did Hitler and Mussolini form, and how did Germany’s actions affect Russia in World War II?

The Axis Agreement united Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, leading Germany and Italy to fight together from 1939–1943. Although Germany signed a peace treaty with Russia in 1939, it broke it by launching the Operation Barbarossa, bringing the Soviet Union into the war.

What were Hitlers Acts of Aggression that started WWII.

1. After becoming chancellor in 1933, he withdrew Germany from the League of Nations - he did not want to keep peace anymore.

2. Breaking the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles - conscription in March 1935 and over 100,000 men and also re-armed the military producing planes, submarines and tanks.

3. March 1936, remilitarized the Rhineland met with no allies. The first step was to re-gain territory and re-build the German Empire called “Third Reich”.

4. March 1938, re-united Germany with Austria - the “Anschluss” as he was Austrian and was the right thing to do - made sense.

5. On 29 September 1938, Munich Conference was held with Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Neville Chamberlain, and Édouard Daladier. Hitler demanded the Sudetenland as it contained 3 million German-speaking people and said all Germans should be reunited, claiming it was his last demand. Believing they were preventing war, Britain and France agreed under appeasement to avoid war, while the USA stayed neutral (isolationism), allowing Hitler to gain land without conflict.

6. March 1939, Hitler’s troops invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, breaking the promise made at the Munich Conference

7. September 1st 1939, Germany invaded Poland commencing WWII.