Rise of Totalitarianism and Expansion Before WWII

These flashcards cover key events, figures, and concepts associated with the rise of totalitarianism and expansion leading up to World War II.

Germany

The country that was ruled by Adolf Hitler during the Nazi regime.

Nazism

The political ideology promoted by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, characterized by fascism, totalitarianism, and extreme nationalism.

Benito Mussolini

The fascist dictator of Italy during the 20th century.

The 1930s

The decade in which the Nazi Party rose to power in Germany.

The Great Depression

The major economic crisis that contributed to the rise of extremist political movements across Europe during the early 20th century.

Totalitarianism

A governmental system that seeks total control over every aspect of public and private life.

Japan

The country that invaded Manchuria in 1931, leading to significant regional tensions.

Manchukuo

The puppet state established by Japan in Manchuria, which they controlled after the invasion.

League of Nations

The international organization that failed to prevent aggression from countries like Japan and Italy in the 1930s.

Ethiopia

The African country invaded by Italy in 1935, showcasing Italian expansionism.

Lebensraum

The Nazi concept that advocates for the expansion of territory to provide living space for the German populace.

Munich Agreement

The 1938 accord that permitted Germany to annex a portion of Czechoslovakia, symbolizing the policy of appeasement.

Sudetenland

The German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia that Hitler demanded in 1938.

Appeasement

The diplomatic policy of conceding to an aggressor's demands to avoid conflict.

Neville Chamberlain

The British prime minister who supported the policy of appeasement towards Hitler in the 1930s.

Rhineland

The region that Germany militarized in 1936, violating the Treaty of Versailles.

Anschluss

The term used to describe Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938.

Germany and the Soviet Union

The two countries that signed the nonaggression pact in 1939.

Poland

The country that was secretly divided between Germany and the Soviet Union by the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

Germany's invasion of Poland

The event that marked the beginning of World War II in Europe.

1939

The year in which Germany invaded Poland, signaling the start of Word War II.

Blitzkrieg

The fast and coordinated military tactic used by Germany, involving swift attacks with tanks and aircraft.

Nationalism and authoritarian leadership

The key principles emphasized by fascism.

Joseph Stalin

The leader who governed the Soviet Union during the 1930s.

Great Purge

The campaign of political repression, including arrests and executions, carried out by Stalin against perceived enemies.

1937

The year when the war between Japan and China escalated significantly.

Nanjing Massacre

The mass killing and atrocities committed against Chinese civilians by Japanese troops in 1937.

Resources

The primary reason behind Japan's expansion in Asia.

Axis Powers

The alliance formed by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Austria

The country that was annexed by Germany in 1938 as part of Hitler's expansionist efforts.

Media and information

The areas often controlled by totalitarian governments to manipulate public perception.

The invasion of Manchuria

An event that demonstrated the weakness of the League of Nations, exposing its inability to maintain peace.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that Hitler blamed for Germany’s post-World War I economic struggles and national humiliation.

Nazi Party

The political group that controlled Germany under Adolf Hitler.

Britain and France

The two countries that declared war on Germany following its invasion of Poland.

Personal freedoms and rights

The aspects that totalitarian governments typically limit in their quest for control.

Unemployment and economic hardship

The widespread issues caused by the Great Depression across the globe.

Propaganda

The tools used by fascist leaders to promote their ideologies and policies to the public.

The Munich Agreement

The accord often criticized for failing to secure a lasting peace in Europe.

Needed resources

The primary motivation behind Japan's desire for control over Manchuria.

Secured its eastern border

The benefit reaped by Germany from the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

Control public opinion

The purpose of propaganda within totalitarian states, used to shape societal views.

The start of WWII in Europe

The consequence of Germany’s invasion of Poland.

Increased tensions with Western powers

The result of Japan's aggressive expansion in China.

Economic instability and social unrest

The factors that contributed to the rise of both Hitler and Mussolini to power.

It lacked enforcement power

The main reason for the failure of the League of Nations.

Totalitarian regimes

The type of governments that gained support due to the economic instability of the 1930s.

Encouraged further aggression

The consequence of appeasement, ultimately leading to more conflicts.

Threatened the balance of power in Europe and Asia

The reason territorial expansions by Germany, Italy, and Japan increased global tensions.