MTGW europe

Key Term

Dates

Defined

Unit Context/Significance

*appeasement

1930s

• Appeasement refers to the policy of making concessions to an aggressor in order to avoid conflict or war. It involves giving into demands or compromising principles in the hopes of maintaining peace or avoiding further aggression. 

• Germany: Appeasement, notably pursued by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, involved giving in to some of Hitler's demands in the hopes of preventing war. 

• Italy: The policy of appeasement towards Italy involved diplomatic efforts to accommodate Mussolini's ambitions, such as the 1938 Munich Agreement, which indirectly signaled acceptance of Italy's conquests in Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

*Autarky

1933-19

• Autarky is an economic concept that refers to a situation where a country, region, or entity is self-sufficient and does not engage in international trade or economic relations with other countries. In an autarkic system, the goal is to rely entirely on internal resources to meet all the needs of the economy without importing goods or services from other nations.

• Autarky was important for Germany and Italy during World War II because it helped them meet military needs and align with their ideological goals. However, it showed the difficulty of sustaining closed economies in a world interconnected by trade.

*collective security

1945

• system where states collectively commit to the prevention of aggression and the maintenance of peace. It involves mutual defense agreements and collective responses to threats against any member state.

• collective security mechanisms, such as those embodied by the League of Nations, failed to effectively deter aggression by Germany and Italy in the lead-up to World War II. This failure highlighted the limitations of international cooperation in maintaining peace and preventing conflict during that critical period.

*fascism

n/a

• Fascism is a political ideology that emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in Europe, characterized by authoritarian and nationalist tendencies. It emphasizes centralized government under a dictatorial leader, often with suppression of opposition and strong regimentation of society and the economy. Fascist regimes typically advocate for a strong, centralized state with significant control over individual liberties, often coupled with aggressive nationalism and, at times, racist or xenophobic ideologies.

• The fascist regimes of Germany and Italy contributed to the outbreak and escalation of the war, with their ambitions for territorial conquest and imposition of totalitarian rule across Europe. The defeat of these regimes marked the end of fascism's dominance in Europe and highlighted the catastrophic consequences of its policies, including genocide and widespread devastation.

*Great Depression

1929-1939

• a severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s. It began with the crash of the stock market in the United States in October 1929 and had profound effects on economies around the world. The depression lasted until the late 1930s

• Impact on the political landscape of Germany and Italy, paving the way for the rise of authoritarian regimes that ultimately played significant roles in triggering World War II. The economic turmoil of the Depression heightened nationalist sentiments. 

*League of Nations

1920-1946

• an international organization established after World War I, with the goal of promoting peace and preventing future conflicts through collective security and diplomacy. It was created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and officially began its operations in 1920.

• was significant in the context of WWII regarding Germany and Italy due to its role in shaping the post-WWI international order, attempting to enforce peace and disarmament measures, and ultimately demonstrating its inability to prevent aggressive actions by expansionist powers like Italy and later Germany.

*Nazism / NSDAP

1920-1945

• Nazism, short for National Socialism (in German, Nationalsozialismus), refers to the far-right political ideology that emerged in Germany in the early 20th century, particularly associated with 

Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). 

• The NSDAP, commonly known as the Nazi Party, was founded in 1920 and gained prominence in the 1930s, culminating in Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

• Nazism was a defining force in World War II, shaping Germany's actions and policies, and forming critical alliances with Italy and other Axis Powers. Its impact extended far beyond the war years, leaving a lasting legacy of devastation and tragedy in Europe and beyond.

*Pact of Steel 

May 22th, 1939

• was a military and political alliance signed on May 22, 1939, between Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini and Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler. This pact solidified the relationship between the two countries and was significant in shaping the course of World War II.

• The Pact of Steel was a critical agreement that solidified the Axis alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, significantly impacting the course and outcome of World War II by reshaping alliances, strategies, and the geopolitical landscape of Europe.

* Rome-Berlin Axis

1936-1945

• a political and military alliance formed between Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini and Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler. This alliance, officially established in October 1936, aimed to create a closer relationship between the two authoritarian regimes and coordinate their foreign policies.

• played a pivotal role in shaping the course of World War II by aligning the interests and military capabilities of Italy and Germany, contributing significantly to the Axis powers' efforts to challenge and confront the Allied nations.

*Spanish Civil War

1936-1939

• The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a conflict fought in Spain between the Republicans, who were loyal to the democratic Spanish Republic, and the Nationalists, a rebel group led by General Francisco Franco.

• shaped the prelude to World War II. Germany and Italy's involvement demonstrated their willingness to support fascist movements abroad and previewed the tactics and technologies that would be used in the subsequent global conflict.

*spazio vitale &  Lebensraum

n/a

• Lebensraum, meaning "living space" in German, was a geopolitical concept adopted by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. It referred to the belief that the German people needed more territory (especially in Eastern Europe) to sustain their population and achieve their economic and strategic goals.

•  Spazio vitale, which translates to "living space" or "vital space" in Italian, was a similar concept promoted by Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Like Lebensraum, it emphasized the need for territorial expansion to accommodate Italy's growing population and establish dominance in the Mediterranean region.

• Both Lebensraum and Spazio Vitale were expansionist ideologies that justified aggressive territorial conquests by Germany and Italy during WWII. These concepts played a significant role in shaping the course of the war, leading to conflicts over territories and resources in Europe and beyond. The pursuit of Lebensraum and Spazio Vitale ultimately contributed to the devastation of the war and the defeat of the Axis powers.

*Blackshirts

1919, officially 1923 - 1943

• Volunteer based armed squad who consisted of Italian Fascists

• The actual black shirt was their uniform

• THey attempted to destroy socialists and communists, along with republicans, catholics, trade unionists, and others later

• Essentially eliminate anyone who became a threat to fascists

• Played a large role in consolidating fascist influence in Italy

• They direct riddance of opponents

• Used intimidation tactics that pushed fascist ideology onto public

• The public was regulated by the blackshirts

*Hoare-Laval Pact

1935

• Secret offer made by britain

• Offered Mussolini most of Ethiopia in return to ending war in Ethiopia

• Word got out and was no longer secret

  • Created distrust with Africa and rest of Europe

*Romanita Movement

• A cultural and ideological movement in fascist Italy

  •  that emphasized the revival of ancient Roman values and traditions.

• The Romanità Movement was part of Mussolini's efforts to legitimize fascist rule by associating it with Italy's glorious past.

  •  It promoted the glorification of Roman civilization, 

  • Militarism,

  •  and imperial expansion, 

• serving as a propaganda tool to rally support for fascist policies.

*Anschluss

1938

• Translates to connection

• Translates to Joining

• Italian word

• Nazi Germany annexed Austria, which they named the Anschluss

• Nazis violated the treaty of versailles and the treaty of Saint Germain

*Brownshirts (SA, Sturmabteilung)

1921 - 1945

• Called Brownshirts because the SA wore brown colored uniforms

• Another version of Mussolini’s blackshirts

• Was the SA/radical anti-capitalists

• Formed by Hitler in Munich (1921)

• Often violently intimated political opposition

• Start of Nazi party formation

*German Hyperinflation

1921 - 1923

• German currency suffered from inflation during WWI during Weimar republic

• German government poorly funded their war leading to inflation and debt

• Reparations continually increased their debt

• Impoverished millions of Germans

• Paved the way for the rise of the Nazi party

• Left instability and desire for new rule in Germany

*Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

Aug 23, 1939 - JUly 1940

• Treaty of non-aggression between Germany and Soviet union

• Secret protocol that partitioned central and eastern europe between them

• Also the Hitler-Stalin pact or Nazi-Soviet pact

• Ensured guaranteed peace between the two

• Germany was able to therefore focus their goals without fear of a soviet attack

• Germany could thus avoid a two front war

• In 1940 it failed as Hitler wanted to attack the Soviets after defeating france

*Treaty of Rapallo

1922

- Signed in 1922.

  - Between Germany and Soviet Russia.

  - Established diplomatic and economic relations.

  - Enabled both countries to circumvent Treaty of Versailles restrictions.

- Allowed Germany and Soviet Russia to bypass Treaty of Versailles restrictions.

- Established diplomatic and economic relations.

- Facilitated military cooperation and secret rearmament projects.

- Signaled a shift in international alliances after World War I.

Allies

Italy

Germany

Franklin D. Roosevelt – U.S. President; led America’s support for the Allies pre-WWII, promoted Lend-Lease, and prepared the U.S. for potential war.

Harry S. Truman – U.S. President after Roosevelt; not involved in pre-war policy but led during final stages of WWII.

Winston Churchill – British Prime Minister (from 1940); opposed appeasement and rallied resistance to Nazi Germany.

Clement Attlee – British Labour leader; deputy to Churchill during WWII, succeeded him post-war.

Josef Stalin – Soviet leader; initially signed non-aggression pact with Hitler (1939), later joined Allies after German invasion (1941).

Benito Mussolini (Il Duce) – Fascist dictator of Italy; aligned with Hitler, pushed expansionist policies, invaded Ethiopia (1935).

Italo Balbo – Fascist leader and Marshal of the Air Force; initially supported Mussolini, later opposed alliance with Germany.

Galeazzo Ciano – Mussolini’s son-in-law and foreign minister; involved in diplomatic efforts, critical of German alliance.

Emperor Haile Selassie – Leader of Ethiopia; resisted Italian invasion, appealed to League of Nations for help in 1936.

Adolf Hitler (Führer) – Nazi dictator; led Germany’s aggressive expansion, remilitarization, and invasion of neighbors, sparking WWII.

Josef Goebbels – Propaganda Minister; shaped Nazi messaging, fueled war support and anti-Semitic ideology.

Josef Mengele – SS officer and physician; known for inhumane experiments (primarily during the Holocaust, post-war outbreak).

Alfred Rosenberg – Nazi ideologue; promoted racial theory and anti-Semitic propaganda, shaped Nazi foreign policy.

Gustav Stresemann – German statesman; tried to stabilize Germany in the 1920s, promoted diplomacy (pre-Nazi era).