1936-1942 WW2 Unit Test

main causes of ww2

treaty of versailles

• harsh punishments on Germany caused anger and resentment

economic problems:

• great depression led to unemployment and political extremism

rise of dictators:

• Hitler, Mussolini, and militarist leaders in Japan

league of nations

appeasement by Britain and France

aggressive expansion by Nazi Germany

what were Hitler’s main goals before the war?

• overturn treaty of versailles

• unite all German-speaking people

• gain lebensraum in Eastern Europe

• rebuild the German military

• make Germany a dominant European power

what actions did Hitler take before the war to expand Germany?

• left League of Nations (1933)

• rearmed Germany (conscription)

• Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936)

• took the Sudetenland after the Munich Agreement

• invaded Czechoslovakia (1938)

• signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact

• invaded Poland (1939)

Why didn’t the Allies stop Hitler early?

• wanted to avoid another war

• felt treaty of versailles was unfair to Germany

• economic weakness from TGD

• underestimated Hitler’s ambitions

• fear of communism made Hitler seem like a lesser threat

• believed Hitler would stop once demands were met

What was the policy of appeasment?

giving in to some of Hitler’s demands in order to avoid war, believing that satisfying him would maintain peace

Why did appeasement fail?

• Hitler saw it as a sign of weakness

• encouraged him to demand more territory

• no firm action to stop aggression

• allowed Germany time to rearm and prepare for war

• led directly to the invasion of Poland

What was the League of Nations supposed to do?

• maintain peace

• encourage international cooperation

• stop aggression through collective security

Why was the League of Nations weak and ineffective?

• no army to enforce decisions

• USA not a member

• decisions had to be unamious

• major powers ignored it

• failed to stop aggression by Japan, Italy, and Germany

How did the failure of the League of Nations help Hitler?

• showed international organizations were powerless

• Hitler knew there would be no serious consequences

• allowed him to break TOV

• encourages further aggression across Europe

How did Hitler use propaganda to gain support?

• controlled radio broadcasts

• used posters, films, rallies, and newspapers

• portrayed Hitler as a strong leader

• spread nationalist pride

• blamed Jews and enemies for Germany’s problems

• repeated simple messages constantly

Who was Joseph Goebbels? Importance?

• Nazi minister of propaganda

• controlled all media in Germany

• ensured only pro-nazi messages were heard

• used emotional and visual methods to influence people

Blitzkrieg

“lighning war” in German. A fast, sudden attack designed to shock and overwhelm the enemy

How did Blitzkrieg tactics work?

• surprise attacks

• use of tanks to break through lines

• air force (luftwaffe) bombing

• fast-moving infantry followed

• enemy unable to organize defense

Why was Blitzkrieg so effective in Western Europe?

• Allied forces unprepared

• France relied on the Maginot Line

• German speed and coordination

• Modern technology and tactics

• Shock and confusion weakened enemy resistance