Interwar Period & WWII

What were some of the flaws of the Weimar Republic?

Weak government with too many parties, blamed for WWI loss, economic problems like hyperinflation and the Depression, and political unrest from communists and far-right groups.

What happened during the Great Depression?

Started with the U.S. stock market crash in 1929, spread globally, caused bank failures, unemployment, and widespread poverty and unrest.

What were some of the flaws of the Weimar Republic?

Weak government with too many parties, blamed for WWI loss, economic problems like hyperinflation and the Depression, and political unrest from communists and far-right groups.

What happened during the Great Depression?

Started with the U.S. stock market crash in 1929, spread globally, caused bank failures, unemployment, and widespread poverty and unrest.

What are the characteristics of a true communist society?

Classless society, no private property, government controls economy, resources shared equally, one-party rule.

What are the characteristics of a fascist society?

Strong central government with a dictator, extreme nationalism, glorifies the state, uses censorship, violence, and propaganda.

How is fascism different from communism?

Communism focuses on equality and shared ownership; fascism emphasizes nationalism, obedience to a leader, and strict social hierarchy.

Which three nations were fascist?

Italy (Mussolini), Germany (Hitler), Spain (Franco).

Why was fascism so attractive?

Promised pride, jobs, stability, and strong leadership; appealed to middle class fears and used propaganda.

What were the flaws of fascism?

Suppressed freedoms, used violence and censorship, promoted aggressive militarism and state control over rights.

How did Hitler rise to power?

Led the Nazi Party and Brownshirts, failed Beer Hall Putsch, wrote Mein Kampf, gained support during the Great Depression, became chancellor in 1933.

What is lebensraum and how does it relate to Austria/Sudetenland/Poland?

"Living space"—Hitler wanted to expand east; used this to justify taking Austria, the Sudetenland, and invading Poland.

How did the League of Nations/collective security fail to stop Germany’s aggression?

The League had no power, U.S. wasn’t a member, and Britain and France used appeasement instead of force.

What is appeasement? What was its result?

Giving in to aggressors to avoid war. It encouraged more aggression. Example: Munich Conference, Chamberlain let Hitler take Sudetenland.

Who signed the Non-Aggression Pact and why?

Germany and the Soviet Union. Hitler wanted to avoid a two-front war and offered Stalin land in Eastern Europe.

When and why did WWII start in Europe?

September 1, 1939—Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war to defend Poland.

What was blitzkrieg and how was it used?

“Lightning war”—fast, surprise attacks with tanks and planes to break enemy lines, first used in Poland.

Who made up the Axis powers?

Germany (Hitler), Italy (Mussolini), Japan (Tojo).

Who made up the Allied powers?

Great Britain (Churchill), Soviet Union (Stalin), United States (FDR), France (de Gaulle).

What was the significance of the Battle of Britain?

First all-air battle; British RAF stopped Hitler’s air force—first German defeat and major morale boost.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Germany invaded the USSR in 1941, breaking their pact. It opened the Eastern Front and led to major German losses.

What was the Battle of Stalingrad?

Soviet forces defeated Germany’s army in brutal winter, turning the tide of war in the East.

What was Pearl Harbor?

Japan bombed the U.S. on Dec. 7, 1941, bringing America into WWII.

What was the D-Day invasion?

June 6, 1944—Allied forces landed in Normandy, France, and began liberating Europe from Nazi control.

What weapons and technology were developed during WWII?

Improved tanks, faster aircraft, radar, code-breaking (Enigma), and atomic bombs. Helped win key battles and end the war.

What was the process of persecuting the Jews in Germany?

Nuremberg Laws, Kristallnacht, forced into ghettos, Final Solution planned at Wannsee, mass murder in death camps.

Who were other victims of the Holocaust and why?

Roma, Slavs, Poles, Soviet POWs, disabled people—targeted for being “racially inferior” or enemies of the Nazi state.

How and when did the war in Europe end?

May 7, 1945—Germany surrendered after Hitler’s suicide. May 8 is V-E Day.

Who were The Big Three?

Stalin (USSR), Roosevelt (USA), Churchill (UK).

What happened at the Tehran Conference?

Planned D-Day, USSR to take Eastern Europe, agreed to divide Germany post-war.

What happened at the Yalta Conference?

Planned United Nations, split Germany into 4 zones, USSR promised (but broke) free elections in Eastern Europe.

What happened at the Potsdam Conference?

Stalin, Truman, and Churchill met. Tensions rose—Truman pushed for free elections; Stalin refused—Cold War began.