AP Euro Chapter 27: Dictatorships and the Second World War 1919-1945

Laissez-faire capitalism

An economic system where the government does not interfere with the market, believing it is not their role to intervene.

Conservative Authoritarianism

A political system characterized by limited power, objectives typically right-wing, and a lack of representative governments.

Totalitarian State

A government that exerts complete control over all aspects of life, including politics, economy, and culture.

Cult of leadership

A characteristic of totalitarianism where the dictator is seen as the symbol of the nation.

Five-Year Plans

Economic plans initiated by Stalin to rapidly industrialize Russia and collectivize agriculture.

Holodomor

A man-made famine in the Soviet Union in 1932-1933 that resulted in millions of deaths, particularly among the Ukrainian population.

Stalin's Propaganda

State-controlled media promoting the achievements of ordinary citizens to inspire nationalism and support for the government.

Kristallnacht

A coordinated attack against Jews in Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938, marked by violence and destruction of property.

Final Solution

The Nazi plan for the extermination of the Jewish population during World War II, culminating in the establishment of extermination camps.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, which was a turning point in World War II.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

A 1939 agreement between Germany and the USSR that allowed for the division of Eastern Europe between the two powers.

Tehran Conference

1943 meeting between the leaders of the US, UK, and USSR to discuss the strategy for the war against the Axis Powers.

Yalta Conference

A 1945 meeting between the leaders of the US, UK, and USSR to discuss postwar reorganization and the future of Europe.

Potsdam Conference

The 1945 meeting where Allied leaders discussed the administration of postwar Germany and issued the ultimatum to Japan.

SA (Stormtroopers)

The Nazi paramilitary organization used to intimidate political opponents and enforce party policies.

SS (Schutzstaffel)

The paramilitary organization under Hitler that was responsible for many of the atrocities during the Holocaust.

Mein Kampf

Hitler's autobiographical manifesto outlining his political ideologies, including anti-Semitism and the concept of Lebensraum.

Militarism

The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war, emphasized in Fascist ideology.

Indoctrination

The process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically, prevalent in totalitarian regimes.

Collectivization

The policy of transforming individual farming into collective farms to increase agricultural productivity under state control.

Vichy France

The government of France during WWII that collaborated with Nazi Germany.

Night Witches

The nickname given to the female Soviet night bombers who served during World War II.

Great Purge

Stalin's campaign from 1936 to 1938 to eliminate political rivals and dissenting members within the Communist Party.