World War I and the Rise of Dictators

Flashcards covering the main topics from World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Rise of Dictators, and the Holocaust.

What is militarism?

A reliance on military strength to defend & promote national interests.

What is No Man's Land?

The dangerous area between two trenches, constantly pelted with artillery and gas, watched by snipers and ringed by barbed wire

What is attrition warfare?

Both sides were worn down by constant attacks and heavy casualties, strong defensive positions lead to stalemates

What is a military alliance?

An attack on one nation was treated as a direct attack against the entire alliance.

What is imperialism?

European nations were in direct competition for colonies and resources, threatening one another’s economic security.

What is Nationalism?

The right of people to choose their own form of gov’t and control their own allegiances.

What was the Lusitania incident?

German Submarines sank a British ocean liner; 128 Americans died, and the ship was carrying weapons to England.

What was the Zimmerman Note?

A secret note from Germany to Mexico promising Mexico territory in the U.S. if it agreed to attack the U.S.

What is propaganda?

Spreading ideas for the purpose of furthering one’s own cause and/or damaging an opponent’s cause.

What were Russia's conditions before the Revolution?

Largest land empire in the world, 90% peasant population, ruled by autocratic Czar, massive corruption, did not industrialize until much later.

What was the March Revolution?

The women of Petrograd marched with other anti-government protestors to end Czar Nicholas’s rule in Russia.

What did V.I. Lenin promise?

V.I. Lenin gains popular support by promising Peace, Land, and Bread.

What is the meaning of communism?

No private property (i.e. common or state ownership of all resources) and social equality

What did Adolf Hitler promise rise to power?

Hitler rose to power with a promise to 1. Unite the German people 2. Return Germany to its past glory

What was the result of the Reichstag Fire?

Nationalistic fervor sweeps across Germany – Hitler is given the power to ignore the constitution.

What were Hitler's goals?

Unite the German people, Return Germany to its past glory, and target Jews as “The Other” that must be removed to purify German society

What was the Munich Pact?

A deal was signed between the European powers on Sept. 30, 1938, to avoid war by giving territory in western Czech. to Germany. Germany promised not to demand any other territories.

What is Anti-Semitism?

Prejudice or hostility toward Jews

What is Genocide?

acts committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

What was the human cost of the Holocaust?

6 million Jews; 90 percent of the Jewish populations of Poland, the Baltic countries, and Germany

What did the U.S. Neutrality Act of the 1930s do?

They forbid aid to any nation engaged in the war; e.g., military forces, supplies, or financial means.

What did the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor do?

Japanese aircraft attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, hoping to destroy the Pacific fleet and any attempt of U.S. involvement.

How did Hitler die?

Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945, with the imminent defeat of Germany and the murder of Mussolini.

What was the Manhattan Project?

The Manhattan Project (1942-1945) was a research project to produce the first atomic bombs.