WW2, Term 1

Flashcards covering key terms & concepts

The Armistice to end fighting in World War I, was signed on November 11, 1918 where?

In a train car in the Compiègne Forest in France.

What European country suffered the most damage from World War I

France

Most countries blamed who for World War I?

Germany

What is self-determination?

The right of peoples to determine their own political status and pursue their own economic, social, and cultural development.

What was the name of President Woodrow Wilson's peace plan for postwar Europe?

Wilson's Fourteen Points

The Big 4 Allied powers that negotiated the treaty were:

United States, United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

What were the 4 major terms of Germany’s surrender? (Think BRAT!)

Blame, Reparations, Army, and Territory

Where was the treaty that ended WWI was signed?

The Palace of Versailles, France.

What was the only part of Wilson’s Fourteen Points that was realized?

League of Nations

What was an unintended consequence of German reparations?

Economic collapse in Germany; money became nearly worthless.

Who was the Fascist dictator of Spain?

Francisco Franco

Who was the Italian dictator (was a teacher before coming to power)?

Benito Mussolini

Who was the leader of the Soviet Union?

Joseph Stalin

Which dictator refused to negotiate or pay a ransom when his son was captured by the Nazis?

Stalin's son - died in captivity

What is the title of Hitler's book that was published while he was jailed?

Mein Kampf

What political office was Hitler appointed to in 1933, becoming the head of the German government?

Chancellor

What is Lebensraum?

German for 'living space'—Hitler’s idea of expanding German territory for the German people.

What is annexation?

The act of taking all or part of another country by force.

On March 7, 1936 Hitler claims that Germany feels threatened and sends forces into where?

Rhineland

On April 20, 1936 Hitler celebrated his birthday with what event?

A large military parade.

What was the Anschluss?

1938 annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany.

What region of Czechoslovakia was rich in coal, steel, and electrical power and claimed by Hitler in 1938?

Sudetenland

Who attended the Munich Conference and who was noticeably not invited?

1938 meeting of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany; Czechoslovakia was not invited.

Who famously said, “I have met with Hitler and he agrees to peace in our time if we give him the Sudetenland. Now we have peace.”

Neville Chamberlain

What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?

Non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union (1939) with a secret plan to divide Eastern Europe.

What is appeasement?

The policy adopted by Britain and France in the 1930s of attempting to satisfy Hitler's territorial demands in order to avoid war.

What world event contributed to the lack of intervention by other countries when Germany was clearly breaking the Treaty of Versailles?

The Great Depression

What agreement of convenience was made between Germany & the Soviet Union in 1939?

Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact

What was the Gleiwitz Incident?

German military organizes a fake attack on a German radio station in Gleiwitz; disguises prisoners in Polish uniforms

The Germans used propaganda reports of red flag events to justify their invasion of what country?

Poland

On Sept 3, 1939, who declares war against Germany?

Great Britain & France 

What was the name of the German airforce?

Luftwaffe

What is the German term for “lightning war”?

Blitzkrieg

Blitzkrieg is a rapid, focused attack using what 3 forces?

Planes, tanks, and motorized infantry

Sept 1939 - April 1940 was known as what because of the lack of active battles that took place?

The Phony War (Sitzkrieg)

Who resigned as Prime Minister on May 10, 1940?

Chamberlain

Why was Scandinavia strategically important for Germany?

British sea lanes & to obtain Swedish iron ore

Which Scandinavian country surrendered to Germany after 1 day?

Denmark

France’s strong defenses along the border with Germany were called what?

Maginot Line

The Germans attacked France through what area?

Ardennes Forest

Where did the Allied troops find themselves isolated and surrounded after Germany invaded France?

Dunkirk

Over how many days were 338,000 soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk in Operation Dynamo?

9 days

Why did the gov’t declare Paris an “open city?”

To spare the city, its population, and its historical landmarks from the devastation of urban warfare.

What was located in Vichy, France?

collaborationist “free” government of France

What is the RAF

Royal Air Force

What does RADAR stand for?

Radio Detection and Ranging

Germany’s decision to focus it’s attacks on London and civilians had what unintended consequences?

It allowed the RAF to rebuild and, as a result, the RAF maintained air supremacy and stopped Hitler’s invasion

What was Hitler’s goal in the Battle of Britain?

To break the spirit of the civilians and force surrender.

Who was Churchill talking about when he said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

The RAF and their role in the Battle of Britain