Orgins of WW2

Blitzkrieg

"Lightning war"; fast military attack using planes, tanks, and troops.

Lend-Lease Act

U.S. law allowing aid and weapons to be sent to Allied nations during WWII.

Munich Pact

1938 agreement allowing Hitler to take part of Czechoslovakia in exchange for peace promises.

Nazism

Political ideology of Hitler and the Nazi Party based on dictatorship, nationalism, and racism.

Neutrality Acts

U.S. laws meant to keep America out of foreign wars during the 1930s.

Appeasement

Giving in to aggressive demands to avoid conflict.

Totalitarianism

Government system where the state has complete control over citizens’ lives.

Fascism

Authoritarian political system emphasizing nationalism and strong centralized power.

Militarism

Belief that a country should build and use a strong military aggressively.

Lebensraum

Nazi idea of expanding Germany’s territory for 'living space.'

Mobilization

Preparing troops, supplies, and resources for war.

Puppet governments

Governments controlled by a stronger foreign power.

Anschluss

Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938.

Spanish Civil War

Conflict in Spain (1936–1939) between Republicans and Nationalists led by Francisco Franco.

Types of Government Philosophies

Nazism, Fascism, Militarism, Communism, Democracy.

Nazism Characteristics

Extreme nationalism, dictatorship, racism/antisemitism, expansionism, total government control.

Fascism Characteristics

Dictatorship, nationalism, militarism, citizens exist to serve the state.

Militarism Characteristics

Military leaders/control dominate government and society.

Communism Characteristics

Government owns property/resources, classless society goal.

Democracy Characteristics

Citizens vote, individual freedoms, multiple political parties.

Leader of Nazism

Adolf Hitler.

Leader of Fascism

Benito Mussolini.

Leader of Japanese Militarism

Hideki Tojo / Japanese military leaders.

Leader of Communism in USSR

Joseph Stalin.

Growth & Expansion of Japan’s Power

Japan expanded to gain resources, land, and power.

Why did Japan expand?

Needed oil, rubber, iron, and raw materials for industry/military.

Where did Japan expand?

Manchuria, China, Southeast Asia, Pacific islands.

Political Expansion of Japan

Controlled conquered territories with military force.

Physical Expansion of Japan

Invaded nearby countries and islands.

How Dictators Helped Each Other

Shared weapons, troops, technology, and support.

Who Supported Spain in the Spanish Civil War?

Hitler and Mussolini supported Francisco Franco.

Who Opposed Franco in Spain?

Republicans supported by Soviet Union and volunteers.

How Europe Dealt with Hitler

Appeasement.

Appeasement Definition

Giving in to demands to avoid conflict.

Czechoslovakia Importance

Hitler demanded parts of it before WWII.

Sudetenland

German-speaking area of Czechoslovakia Hitler wanted.

Munich Agreement

Britain and France allowed Hitler to take Sudetenland.

What Happened After Appeasement Failed?

Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia and later Poland.

Invasion of Poland

Started World War II in 1939.

Blitzkrieg Definition

'Lightning war' using fast tanks, planes, and infantry attacks.

Blitzkrieg Tactics

Speed, surprise, air attacks, armored divisions.

Guiding Philosophy for Hitler’s Attacks

Expansion and Lebensraum ('living space').

Non-Aggression Pact

Agreement between Germany and USSR not to attack each other.

Another Name for Non-Aggression Pact

Nazi-Soviet Pact / Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

Why Was the Nazi-Soviet Pact Important?

Allowed Hitler to invade Poland without Soviet interference.

Fight for England

Battle of Britain.

Battle of Britain Significance

Britain successfully defended against German air attacks.

Why Did Germany Fail Against Britain?

RAF resistance and radar technology.

U.S. Isolationism

America avoided involvement in foreign wars before Pearl Harbor.

Why Did the U.S. Stay Isolated?

Fear of another costly war and focus on domestic issues.

How Did the U.S. Prepare Before Entering WWII?

Built military strength and supplied Allies.

Lend-Lease Act

U.S. supplied weapons/materials to Allied nations.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Japan attacked U.S. naval base on December 7, 1941.

Why Did Japan Attack Pearl Harbor?

Wanted to weaken U.S. Pacific Fleet before expansion.

Result of Pearl Harbor

United States entered World War II.

Economic Conditions Leading to Dictatorships

Great Depression, unemployment, poverty, instability.

How Hitler and Mussolini Used the Spanish Civil War

Tested weapons and military strategies.

Was Appeasement Successful?

No, it encouraged Hitler to continue expanding.