World War II Notes: Dual Enrollment World Civilization

What problems did the Versailles Treaty create that led to World War II?

It imposed financial reparations on Germany, causing economic crash and dissatisfaction with the Weimar Republic.

What was the Weimar Republic?

The weak government of Germany post-World War I that struggled to address economic issues.

What was hyperinflation in Germany?

A situation where excessive money printing devalued savings and wages due to reparations.

What dissatisfaction did Italy have with the Versailles Treaty?

Italy did not gain the promised land after World War I, leading to bitterness against former allies.

What is fascism?

An authoritarian government emphasizing ultranationalism where all actions benefit the state.

What distinguishes fascism from communism?

Fascism allows private property and a state religion, while communism does not.

Who was Benito Mussolini?

The fascist dictator of Italy who aimed to restore Italian prominence.

What is 'Il Duce'?

The title meaning 'the leader' used for Benito Mussolini.

What was Mein Kampf?

A book written by Adolf Hitler outlining his beliefs and goals for Germany.

What did Hitler aim to achieve with the Third Reich?

To restore the German Empire and establish dominance for a millennial period.

What was the Enabling Act?

A provision that allowed Hitler to assume dictatorial powers during a crisis.

What was Kristallnacht?

A coordinated attack on Jewish businesses and synagogues in Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

What was the Munich Pact?

An agreement allowing Hitler to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for assurances of no further expansion.

When did World War II officially begin?

On September 1, 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland.

What was the Blitzkrieg?

A fast and aggressive military strategy used by Germans during World War II.

What was D-Day?

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marking a turning point in the war.

What was the outcome of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Japan surrendered in August 1945, effectively ending World War II.

What significant struggles happened after the war in Europe?

Europe faced devastation with economies in shambles and widespread destruction from the war.

What was the Holocaust?

The genocide of six million Jews and other undesirables by the Nazi regime.

What metaphor did Winston Churchill use to describe the division of Europe?

He described an 'iron curtain' separating democratic and communist Europe.

What happened to Germany after World War II?

Germany was divided into East Germany (communist) and West Germany (democratic).

What is Fascism?

authoritarian system that promotes ultra-nationalism, a state-run church, some private property, and enforces its rule by the use of terror, secret police, and harsh rule.

What is communism?

authoritarian system that promotes international communism, a classless society, and the ownership of all private property, and enforces its rule by the use of terror, secret police, and harsh rule

Who is Francisco Franco?

fascist dictator of Spain

What was Mein Kampf?

book written by Adolph Hitler while he was in prison that outlined his plan for Germany and the Third Reich.

What was the Third Reich?

Hitler's planned 1000-year reign initiated by him and carried out by a strong, pure German race.

What did lebensraum mean?

"living space" - Hitler's reason for expansion - to gain "living space" for the German people by taking over most of European lands.

Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

Lutheran who was one of the leaders of the underground movement in Germany; executed for his participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler toward the end of the war.

What did the Enabling Act do?

part of the German constitution that allowed for the chancellor to appoint a temporary dictator in times of crisis.

What was the Kristallnacht?

Night of Broken Glass - Night where Jewish businesses were attacked and destroyed in order to intimidate the Jews

What were the Nuremberg laws?

Laws that required Jews to wear identifying badges, stores owned by Jews to be marked, and Jews to be removed from professional positions

What was the Munich Pact?

appeasement - agreement between British PM Chamberlain and Hitler that allowed Hitler to take the Sudetenland because Hitler stated he had no further territorial ambitions

What was Anschluss?

the peaceful takeover of Austria by Germany

What is the Nonaggression Pact?

agreement between Stalin and Hitler; both would attack Poland from their respective borders and split Poland between them. They agreed not to attack each other.

September 1, 1939

the date Germany attacked Poland, beginning World War II

Battle of Britain ("The Blitz")

nightly bombing raids on Britain in an attempt by Hitler to cause England to surrender; under Winston Churchill, England survived and did not surrender.

December 7, 1941

"a date which will live in infamy"  (FDR)-bombing of U.S. naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii that caused thousands of American deaths and led to U.S. entry into the war

What was the Doolittle Raid?

secret bombing raid carried out by the U.S. on Tokyo that resulted in some damage, but revived U.S. morale

What was the Holocaust?

"the final solution" - Hitler's plan to exterminate the Jews involving work/death camps resulting in the deaths of 6 million Jews

What is "island hopping"?

U.S. strategy in the Pacific involving taking islands from Japan, working their way closer and closer to the Japanese mainland

What cities were the targets of nuclear bomb in Japan?

Hiroshima/Nagasaki