Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does 'Lebensraum' refer to?
What does 'Lebensraum' refer to?
What was the primary goal of aggressive nationalism?
What was the primary goal of aggressive nationalism?
Which policy involved making concessions to avoid conflict?
Which policy involved making concessions to avoid conflict?
Who was the British Prime Minister advocating appeasement before World War II?
Who was the British Prime Minister advocating appeasement before World War II?
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What significant event occurred in March 1938?
What significant event occurred in March 1938?
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What was the purpose of the Munich Conference in September 1938?
What was the purpose of the Munich Conference in September 1938?
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What was the role of the Luftwaffe?
What was the role of the Luftwaffe?
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What did the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact entail?
What did the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact entail?
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In what year did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
In what year did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
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Who was the leader of the Austrian 'Nazis'?
Who was the leader of the Austrian 'Nazis'?
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What significant meeting took place in Munich in 1938?
What significant meeting took place in Munich in 1938?
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What was the outcome of the Austrian plebiscite in 1938?
What was the outcome of the Austrian plebiscite in 1938?
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What was Hitler's justification for demanding the Sudetenland?
What was Hitler's justification for demanding the Sudetenland?
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Who was the President of Czechoslovakia during Hitler's expansion?
Who was the President of Czechoslovakia during Hitler's expansion?
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What event marked the start of World War II in Europe?
What event marked the start of World War II in Europe?
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What was the reason behind Hitler making the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
What was the reason behind Hitler making the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
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Study Notes
German Expansionism and Appeasement
- Grossdeutschland: Aimed to unite all German-speaking people within one empire.
- Lebensraum: "Living Space" – Hitler's ambition to acquire land in Eastern Europe.
- Social Darwinism: The belief in the "survival of the fittest" applied to societies.
- Aggressive Nationalism: A policy emphasizing national strength and using force to achieve foreign policy goals.
- Appeasement: A policy of making concessions to avoid conflict, often involving negotiation.
Key Events and Policies
- German Withdrawal from the League of Nations (1933): Triggered by France's failure to meet Germany's disarmament demands.
- Attempted Anschluss with Austria (1934): Blocked by Mussolini's intervention with Italian troops.
- German Rearmament (1935): Germany openly defied the Treaty of Versailles and began rebuilding its military.
- Luftwaffe: The German air force, rebuilt in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Reoccupation of the Rhineland (March 1936): Germany's military re-entry into a demilitarized zone.
- Neville Chamberlain: British Prime Minister (1937-1940) who advocated appeasement.
- Rome-Berlin Axis (1936): Formalized the close cooperation between Italy and Germany.
- Anschluss with Austria(March 1938): Germany annexed Austria following a popular vote favouring unity.
- Guernica (April 1937): Spanish town subjected to brutal bombing by the Condor Legion (German involvement).
- Condor Legion: German air force unit aiding Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War.
- Munich Conference (September 1938): An agreement to allow Germany to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of no further expansion.
- Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 23, 1939): A non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union.
- Stufenplan: The idea that Hitler had a gradual plan to achieve his expansionist goals.
- Hitler as Chancellor (1933): Significantly altered Germany's foreign policy.
- Sudetenland Leader: Conrad Henlein
- Austrian Leader: Seyss-Inquart
- Munich Conferences, Berchtesgaden, Bad Godesberg: Series of meetings between Chamberlain and Hitler, aimed at resolving the European conflict.
- Stresa Pact (1935): An agreement between Britain, France, and Italy condemning German rearmament.
- Saar Plebiscite (1935): A vote where the Saar region overwhelmingly chose to rejoin Germany.
- Sudetenland Rationale: The claim for the Sudetenland was based on the presence of 3 million ethnic Germans.
- Czechoslovak President: Edvard Benes
- Appeasement Critic: Winston Churchill
- Outcome of Austrian Plebiscite (1938): 99% voted in favor of Anschluss
- Moravia/Bohemia Fate (March 1939): Occupied by Germany.
- Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939): Triggered World War II.
- British/French Declaration of War (September 3, 1939): Declared war on Germany in response to the invasion of Poland.
- Reason for Nazi-Soviet Pact: Hitler sought to avoid a two-front war.
- Soviet Leader: Joseph Stalin
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Description
Test your knowledge on German expansionism and the policy of appeasement leading up to World War II. This quiz covers key events, ideologies, and policies that shaped the era, including Lebensraum and the rearmament of Germany. Dive into the historical context and impact of these actions on Europe.
