ww2 test notes

What is a key characteristic of totalitarianism regarding media?

Control of media and propaganda to influence public opinion.

What type of political system is exemplified by Stalin's USSR?

Single-party rule with no opposition.

What methods do totalitarian regimes use to exert control?

Fear and violence, including secret police and purges.

What do totalitarian states control in addition to the economy?

Education.

What concept describes the exaggerated loyalty towards a leader in totalitarian states?

Cult of personality.

What economic event contributed to the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century?

The Great Depression.

Which treaty led to resentment in Germany after World War I?

Treaty of Versailles.

What was a common fear that drove people to support strong leaders during the rise of totalitarianism?

Fear of communism.

What failure of democracies contributed to the rise of totalitarianism?

Weak democracies that failed to protect citizens.

What ideology promoted the belief in national superiority that influenced totalitarian regimes?

Nationalism.

What ethical issue involves the treatment of prisoners of war during wartime?

Killing of POWs.

What controversial strategy did countries use during WWII that targeted civilian populations?

Civilian bombing.

What was a significant moral dilemma faced regarding the use of atomic bombs?

Whether it is justified to kill to stop greater evil.

What battle marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe in 1944?

D-Day.

What was the significance of the Battle of Stalingrad during WWII?

It broke German momentum and strengthened the USSR.

How did the Treaty of Versailles affect Germany's post-war sentiments?

It was harsh, leading to resentment and facilitating Hitler’s rise.

What conferences were crucial in shaping post-war Europe?

Yalta and Potsdam Conferences.

Which event caused the United States to enter WWII?

Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.

What genocide involved the systematic murder of 6 million Jews and others?

The Holocaust.

What atrocities occurred during the Nanjing Massacre?

Japanese troops brutally killed civilians in China.

What term encompasses the Soviet purges and gulags?

Genocide and atrocities.

Which post-WWII genocides led to the UN defining the term genocide in 1948?

Rwanda and Bosnia.

What question surrounds Winston Churchill's legacy during WWII?

Was he a hero for resisting Nazis or an imperialist with racist views?

What factors contributed to ordinary people's support for Hitler in Nazi Germany?

Propaganda, fear, and nationalism.

What criticism is directed at Allied leaders regarding WWII genocides?

Did they ignore signs of genocide too long?

What was Canada’s role in WWII?

Joined the war independently and played major roles in significant battles.

What controversial decision did Canada make regarding Japanese-Canadians during WWII?

Internment of Japanese-Canadians.

What did Canada do for war brides after WWII?

Welcomed war brides, but hesitated to accept Jewish refugees.

What major geopolitical change occurred in 1948?

Creation of Israel as a homeland for Jews.

Who coined the term 'genocide' and for what purpose?

Raphael Lemkin during WWII to describe Nazi atrocities.

What was one of the goals of the United Nations with its formation?

To promote peace and prevent future genocides.

What was a key ideological conflict during the Cold War?

Democracy vs. communism.

What initiative did the U.S. undertake to rebuild Europe after WWII?

Marshall Plan.

What military alliances were formed during the Cold War?

NATO and Warsaw Pact.

What significant geopolitical outcome arose after WWII regarding global power dynamics?

The rise of superpowers (USA, USSR) and decolonization.