Unit 2 - German and Italian Expansion

What was the main goal of Hitler's foreign policy?

To challenge the Treaty of Versailles and expand German territory.

What did the Treaty of Versailles mandate regarding the German army?

It reduced the army to 100,000 troops and limited its purpose to maintaining order within Germany.

What articles of the Treaty of Versailles disarmed the German military?

Articles 164-172 limited the number of weapons and ammunition, and required the destruction of military equipment.

What was the naval limitation imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

Germany was limited to six battleships, six light cruisers, 12 destroyers, and no submarines.

When did Hitler withdraw Germany from the League of Nations?

In October 1933.

What significant military announcement did Hitler make in March 1935?

He announced the creation of the Luftwaffe (German air force).

What was the outcome of the Stresa Front meeting in April 1935?

It resulted in a common denunciation of Hitler's rearmament and a commitment to oppose future treaty violations.

What did the German Anglo Naval Agreement of July 1935 allow?

It granted Germany the right to build a navy up to 35% of the British fleet.

What was a major flaw of the League of Nations?

It had no armed forces or enforcement mechanism, making it ineffective.

What was Mussolini's foreign policy focus?

It emphasized 'living space' and irredentism, aiming to reclaim Italian-speaking territories.

What was the result of Italy's invasion of Abyssinia in October 1935?

Italy was ultimately successful despite sanctions from the League of Nations, which were ineffective.

What happened in March 1936 regarding the Rhineland?

Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles.

What was the Rome-Berlin Axis announced in November 1936?

It was a declaration of friendship between Hitler and Mussolini, indicating mutual support.

What was the League of Nations' response to Italy's invasion of Abyssinia?

It imposed economic sanctions, which were not effective in stopping the invasion.

Why did many British not worry about German rearmament?

They believed it was a response to the perceived threat from the Soviet Union and were not concerned about Germany's military expansion.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Locarno for Germany?

It allowed Germany to join the League of Nations in 1926, marking a step towards international acceptance.

How did the League of Nations' effectiveness diminish?

Several major countries, including the US and USSR, were not members, reducing its ability to enforce peace.

What was the impact of the German Anglo Naval Agreement on France and Italy?

It undermined the Stresa Front and increased tensions among European powers regarding naval capabilities.

What was the reaction of the Allies to Hitler's rearmament?

They formed the Stresa Front in an attempt to collectively oppose it.

What did the term 'irredentism' refer to in Mussolini's foreign policy?

The desire to reclaim territories that were historically or ethnically Italian.

What was the League of Nations' approach to mandates?

It oversaw temporary colonies made up of former Ottoman lands and captured German colonies.

What did Hitler's rearmament signify for Germany's military strategy?

It marked a shift towards aggressive military expansion and preparation for potential conflict.

What was the significance of the Abyssinian Crisis for collective security?

It highlighted the failure of the League of Nations to maintain collective security, as sanctions were ineffective.

What event marked the beginning of German expansion in March 1936?

The remilitarization of the Rhineland.

What was the significance of the Anschluss on March 12, 1938?

German troops entered Austria with no resistance, leading to the union of Austria with Germany.

What was the outcome of the plebiscite held on April 10, 1938, regarding the Anschluss?

99.7% of votes were in favor of the union with Germany.

What was Hitler's justification for demanding the Sudetenland in September 1938?

He claimed it was to protect the rights of ethnic Germans.

What policy did Western powers adopt in response to Hitler's aggression?

Appeasement, emphasizing negotiation and concessions to avoid war.

What was the Munich Conference, and when did it take place?

A meeting in September 1938 between leaders of Germany, Italy, France, and England to resolve the Sudeten crisis.

What promise did British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain extract from Hitler at the Munich Conference?

That Hitler would make no further territorial demands after the Sudetenland was added to Germany.

What happened in March 1939 that demonstrated the failure of appeasement?

Germany invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, violating the Munich Agreement.

What was the significance of the Danzig and Polish Corridor issue?

Hitler framed it as a self-determination issue, claiming German people belonged in a German state.

What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?

A non-aggression pact signed on August 23, 1939, between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

What were the key points of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?

Publicly, neither country would go to war for 10 years; secretly, they agreed to divide Poland and other territories.

When did Germany invade Poland, marking the start of World War II?

On September 1, 1939.

What was the response of England and France to the invasion of Poland?

They declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939.

What term describes the period of inactivity on the Western Front after the invasion of Poland?

The 'phony war.'

What was the outcome of the German invasion of Poland?

Poland was defeated and its territory annexed by early October 1939.

What did Hitler aim to achieve with the concept of Grossdeutschland?

The unification of all ethnic Germans into a single country.

What was the Allied response to Italy's invasion of Albania in April 1939?

They extended guarantees of protection to nearby countries like Greece and Romania.

What was the significance of the Munich Agreement?

It was seen as a failed attempt to maintain peace through appeasement, ultimately leading to further aggression by Hitler.

What did the term 'collective security' refer to in the context of the League of Nations?

The idea that nations would work together to prevent aggression and maintain peace.

What was the reaction of Hitler to internal resistance within the German military?

He replaced military leadership with more personally loyal generals.

What was the fate of Czechoslovakia after the Munich Agreement?

It was effectively forced to agree to the German takeover of the Sudetenland without Western assistance.

What was the significance of the Pact of Steel signed in May 1939?

It formalized the military alliance between Germany and Italy.

How did the League of Nations respond to Italy's invasion of Abyssinia?

The response was largely ineffective, highlighting the weaknesses of the League.

What was the primary goal of Hitler's foreign policy leading up to World War II?

To expand German territory and unite all ethnic Germans under one nation.