German Expansion and World War II
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Questions and Answers

What was one major consequence of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?

  • It assigned blame for World War I to Germany (correct)
  • It enabled Germany to expand its military
  • It restored the monarchy
  • It encouraged economic prosperity

How did hyperinflation in the 1920s impact the German population?

  • It led to widespread job creation
  • It drastically reduced people's savings (correct)
  • It fostered economic stability
  • It increased the value of savings

What significant event occurred as a result of the Wall Street Crash in 1929?

  • The establishment of the Weimar Republic
  • A surge in economic prosperity
  • The return of the Kaiser
  • The rise in Nazi party membership (correct)

Which propaganda strategy was used by the Nazis to gain public support?

<p>Framing themselves as the only solution to restore greatness (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for Hindenburg's decision to appoint Hitler as Chancellor?

<p>Hitler's popularity among the masses (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a contributing factor to the outbreak of World War II?

<p>Universal disarmament policies (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ideology did Hitler propagate while imprisoned?

<p>Extreme nationalism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the economic situation in Germany during the Great Depression?

<p>Widespread unemployment and frustration (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ideology was central to Germany's desire for territorial expansion prior to World War II?

<p>Lebensraum (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the beginning of World War II?

<p>Germany's invasion of Poland (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason Britain and France decided to pursue a policy of appeasement towards Hitler?

<p>To maintain peace and avoid another large-scale conflict (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant military event in 1940 demonstrated Britain's capability to safeguard its forces?

<p>The evacuation from Dunkirk (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions did Germany take that was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles?

<p>Rearmament and military buildup (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Munich Conference in September 1938?

<p>Germany was allowed to annex the Sudetenland (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor occur, subsequently bringing the USA into World War II?

<p>1941 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two countries played crucial roles in defeating Germany by 1945?

<p>USA and Soviet Union (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the Nuremberg Laws primarily aimed at achieving?

<p>Depriving Jewish individuals of civil rights (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event is referred to as Kristallnacht?

<p>The destruction of Jewish properties in 1938 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one key component of the Final Solution as discussed in 1942?

<p>Systematically transporting Jews to extermination camps (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did anti-Semitism manifest in Germany post-World War I?

<p>By blaming Jews for the economic difficulties of the nation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main action carried out by Einsatzgruppen during the Holocaust?

<p>Murdering Jews in mass shootings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Appeasement

The policy of giving in to an aggressor's demands to avoid war, even if it means sacrificing territory or principles.

Lebensraum

The belief that Germany needed more living space for its people, often at the expense of other nations.

Remilitarization of the Rhineland

The re-militarization of the Rhineland by Germany in 1936, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, demonstrated Germany's growing power and disregard for international agreements.

Anschluss

Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938, known as the Anschluss, further violated the Treaty of Versailles and marked a significant step in German expansion.

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Evacuation of Dunkirk

The evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk in 1940, despite being a defeat, allowed Britain to save its military strength and continue fighting.

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Battle of Britain

A crucial battle in 1940 where the RAF defeated the Luftwaffe, preventing a German invasion of Britain.

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Operation Barbarossa

The 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany, a turning point in World War II, marked a major expansion of the war.

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Attack on Pearl Harbor

The surprise attack by Japan on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in 1941, bringing the US into World War II.

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Treaty of Versailles

A peace treaty signed in 1919 after World War I, which heavily punished Germany for its role in the war. This included imposing huge reparations, limiting its military size, and blaming Germany for the conflict.

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Hyperinflation in Germany (1920s)

A period of extreme inflation in Germany during the 1920s, where prices skyrocketed, money became worthless, and people lost their savings. This worsened the country's economic situation.

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Nazi Party

A political party in Germany led by Adolf Hitler, which rose to power during a time of economic hardship and social unrest. The Nazis promised nationalism, stability, and an end to economic problems.

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Mein Kampf

A book written by Adolf Hitler while he was imprisoned in 1923. It outlined the Nazi ideology, including anti-Semitism and the desire for expansion.

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Wall Street Crash and Great Depression

A global economic collapse that began in 1929. This impacted Germany significantly, causing widespread unemployment, contributing to societal unrest, and weakening the Weimar Republic.

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Nazi Propaganda

The use of methods like speeches, posters, and media to spread ideas and influence public opinion. The Nazis were very successful in using propaganda to gain support.

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Political Maneuvering

A term used to describe the tactics used by the Nazis to gain power and influence, often through promises, intimidation, and exploiting political weaknesses.

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President Hindenburg's Decision

The German president who, despite his reservations about Hitler, appointed him as Chancellor in 1933. Hindenburg believed that Hitler could restore political stability.

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What impact did the Nuremberg Laws have on Jewish people?

The 1935 Nuremberg Laws stripped Jewish people of many civil rights in Nazi Germany, removing their citizenship and forbidding them from marrying non-Jewish people.

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What was Kristallnacht and why did it happen?

Kristallnacht, also known as the 'Night of Broken Glass', was a violent pogrom against Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues across Germany in 1938. It was a brutal escalation of Nazi persecution, fueled by anti-Semitism and the assassination of a German diplomat.

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What were ghettos during the Holocaust?

Ghettos were overcrowded, segregated areas where Nazi Germany forced Jewish people to live. These areas were often lacking in basic necessities and resources, creating harsh living conditions.

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What was the 'Final Solution' and how was it put into action?

The 'Final Solution' was Nazi Germany's plan to systematically murder all Jewish people in Europe. This horrific policy was put into action through mass deportations to extermination camps like Auschwitz, where people were gassed and killed.

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What were the Einsatzgruppen and what was their role in the Holocaust?

The Einsatzgruppen were Nazi mobile killing squads responsible for the systematic murder of more than a million Jewish people in Eastern Europe after 1941. They were responsible for mass shootings and brutality, carrying out the Nazi regime's genocidal policy.

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Study Notes

German Expansion and WWII

  • German speakers in countries like Austria and Czechoslovakia presented conflict potential, due to living space (lebensraum) policies.
  • Germany strived to rearm quickly, violating Treaty of Versailles.
  • Anschluss: Germany united with Austria in 1938.
  • Failure of appeasement: Britain and France chose not to stop Hitler, despite his breaking rules, believing it would prevent further conflict. This policy of appeasement involved allowing Hitler what he wanted to avoid conflict.
  • Rhineland reoccupation (1936): Hitler re-militarized the Rhineland, breaking the Treaty of Versailles.

Key Events Leading to WWII

  • Munich Agreement (1938): A deal where Hitler was allowed to take the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, under the promise that he would not take any more territory. This agreement was a direct result of the appeasement policy.
  • Czechoslovakia invasion (1939): Germany took over the rest of Czechoslovakia despite the agreement.
  • Invasion of Poland (September 1939): Germany invaded Poland, triggering WWII and the declaration of war by Britain and France.

Key Events During WWII

  • Western Europe campaign (1939-1940): Germany gained control over much of western Europe, including France.
  • Dunkirk evacuation (1940): The British army was evacuated from Dunkirk, France resulting in an embarrassing retreat for Britain.
  • Battle of Britain (1940): The RAF (Royal Air Force) successfully defended Britain from the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) attacks, preventing a German invasion.
  • Blitz: German bombing of British cities.
  • Battle of Pearl Harbor (1941): Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor brought the USA into WWII.
  • Soviet Union (USSR) involvement: The USSR's contribution to defeating Germany proved crucial.
  • German defeat (1945): Germany was eventually defeated.

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Explore the key events and policies that led to Germany's aggressive expansion before and during World War II. This quiz covers significant moments such as the Anschluss, the Munich Agreement, and the invasion of Poland. Test your knowledge on how these events contributed to the outbreak of a global conflict.

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