Untitled Flashcards Set

Lost Generation

Nickname for the writers and artists of the 1920’s and 1930’s who expressed their anger through art.

Dada

A satirical and nonsensical art movement that began during World War I in reaction to the war's horrors.

Surrealism

An art movement of the 1920’s and 1930’s that sought to reflect the unconscious thoughts of the human mind.

Bauhaus

A modern architecture movement from Germany that emphasized simple, angular design based on the motto 'Form follows function.'

League of Nations

An international organization established to peacefully resolve disputes and prevent future conflicts.

Treaty of Versailles

The agreement that ended World War I, placing responsibility and reparations on Germany.

Weimar Germany

The name for the first German republic established after World War I, lasting until 1933.

Frei Korps

Paramilitary groups of German veterans who attacked communists and supporters of the Weimar Republic.

Reparations

Money paid by the defeated to the victors after a war.

Hyperinflation

A rapid and excessive rise in prices; notably occurred in Weimar Germany during 1923.

Ruhr Crisis of 1923

The occupation of Germany's industrial Ruhr region by French troops due to unpaid reparations.

Beer Hall Putsch

Hitler's failed coup attempt in November 1923 to overthrow the Weimar government.

Dawes Plan

A 1924 US plan to stabilize Weimar Germany's economy through loans for reparation payments.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

An international agreement in 1928 pledging nations not to wage war to resolve disputes.

Great Depression

A massive global economic collapse that led to widespread unemployment and the rise of radical political movements.

Indian National Congress (INC)

The oldest political party in India, established in 1885, advocating for Indian rights.

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian nationalist leader who promoted non-violence against British rule and led the INC.

Popular Front

European coalitions of left-wing political parties including socialist and communist movements.

Totalitarian State

A government that exercises total control over every aspect of its citizens' lives.

Old Bolsheviks

The original Bolsheviks who fought against the tsarist government, targeted by Stalin.

Show Trials

Soviet courts used to publicly discredit Bolsheviks viewed as threats.

Red Army

The military force that fought for the communists during the Russian Civil War.

Gulags

Brutal Soviet concentration camps for political dissidents where millions perished.

Collectivization of Agriculture

A failed policy seizing private farms to create massive state-owned farms.

State Farms

Large, state-owned farms created from collectivization that struggled to produce enough food.

Kulaks

Wealthy Russian peasants destroyed by Stalin during collectivization.

Siberia

A vast region of Russia known for its harsh climate and natural resources.

5-Year Plans

Soviet economic plans aiming to grow all sectors of the economy, primarily manufacturing and agriculture.

Benito Mussolini

The Fascist dictator of Italy (1922-1945) who established an authoritarian state focused on nationalism.

Fascism

A political ideology glorifying the nation and military, centered on a dictatorial individual.

Blackshirts

Fascist paramilitary groups that fought anti-fascists in Italy.

March on Rome (1922)

The event staged by Mussolini that led to his appointment as Prime Minister.

Invasion of Ethiopia (1935)

Mussolini's assault on Ethiopia to avenge a previous defeat and expand Italy's empire.

National Socialism (Nazism)

A radical, racist political ideology emphasizing nationalism and dictatorial rule.

Paul von Hindenburg

President of Weimar Republic who appointed Hitler as Chancellor in 1933.

Adolf Hitler

The Nazi dictator of Germany from 1933-1945, known for his authoritarian regime and aggressive policies.

Enabling Act

A 1933 law granting Hitler dictatorial powers.

Brownshirts

Nazi paramilitary groups that battled opponents in the streets of Germany.

Mein Kampf

Hitler's book outlining his beliefs and goals for the Nazi Party.

Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1935)

Hitler's first act defying the Versailles Treaty, provoking further aggressions.

Anschluss

The unification of Germany and Austria in 1938, violating the Versailles Treaty.

Czechoslovakia

A new nation formed post-World War I, known for stability and a large German minority.

Czechoslovakian Crisis (1938)

A conflict arising from Germany's demand for the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia.

Successor States

New nations created from Russian and Austro-Hungarian territories after World War I.

Sudetenland

A region of Czechoslovakia with a large ethnic German population, central to the 1938 crisis.

Munich Pact

A 1938 agreement allowing Hitler to annex Sudetenland, symbolizing appeasement.

Neville Chamberlain

British PM associated with the failed policy of appeasement towards Hitler.

Appeasement

The policy of giving in to dictators' demands to avoid conflict.

Nuremberg Laws

Anti-Semitic laws enacted by the Nazi government against Jews.

Kristallnacht

A violent pogrom against Jewish people in Germany, marking a severe escalation in persecution.

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

A civil war in Spain between a leftist government and fascist opposition, resulting in a fascist victory.

General Francisco Franco

Leader of the fascist side in the Spanish Civil War who ruled Spain until 1975.

Republicans (aka: Loyalists)

The leftist pro-government faction in the Spanish Civil War, supported by the Soviet Union.

Nationalists

The fascist faction in the Spanish Civil War led by Franco, receiving backing from Germany and Italy.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

A non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, facilitating the start of WWII.