The Causes of the Second World War

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the political, economic, and social causes of the Second World War based on the lecture transcript.

The Second World War

A global conflict from 1939-1945 that involved countries from every continent and resulted in over 60 million deaths.

Treaty of Versailles

The 1919 agreement that officially ended the First World War and imposed harsh penalties, including territorial losses and military limits, on Germany.

War Guilt Clause

A controversial part of the Treaty of Versailles that forced Germany to accept full responsibility for the First World War.

Reparations

Large payments Germany was required to pay to the Allied countries, placing a huge strain on the German economy.

Hyperinflation

An economic condition in Germany in the early 1920s where prices rose so quickly that money became almost worthless.

Great Depression

A global economic crisis beginning in 1929 that led to bank failures, business closures, and sharp rises in unemployment.

Totalitarianism

A system of government in which one leader or party has complete control and does not allow opposition.

Adolf Hitler

The Chancellor of Germany (appointed 1933) and leader of the Nazi Party who established a dictatorship and promoted ideas of nationalism and racial superiority.

Benito Mussolini

The leader of Italy who established a fascist government that emphasized strong leadership, nationalism, and military strength.

Militarism

The belief in building up strong armed forces and using them to achieve national goals.

Manchuria

A region in China rich in natural resources that was invaded by Japan in 1931.

Ethiopia

The country invaded by Italy in 1935, demonstrating that powerful nations were willing to ignore international law.

League of Nations

An international organization created to maintain peace, which failed due to its lack of a military force and the absence of major powers like the United States.

Appeasement

The policy used by Britain and France in the 1930s of allowing Hitler to expand his territory in the hope of avoiding another war.

Munich Agreement

A 1938 agreement in which Britain and France allowed Germany to take the Sudetenland in exchange for Hitler's promise not to seek further territory.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

A 1939 non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union that included a secret part dividing Eastern Europe between the two countries.

Invasion of Poland

The event on September 1, 1939, that triggered Britain and France to declare war and marked the beginning of the Second World War.