World History Post-World War I and II Quiz

Study Notes

In 1945, an eleven-year-old German boy, Helmuth, overheard his parents discussing killing their family or committing suicide due to fear of Allied retribution for Nazi actions.
Helmuth's father was a Nazi supporter who viewed himself as a victim of the impending Allied justice.
Nazism wasn't just a few isolated actions; it was a system of ideas (ideology) about the world and politics.
In May 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allied forces.
Hitler, Goebbels, and Hitler's family committed suicide in Hitler's bunker in Berlin in April 1945.
The Nuremberg Tribunal prosecuted Nazi war criminals for crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Allies initially included the UK and France, later joined by the USSR and USA. They fought against the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan).
Nazi Germany waged a genocidal war, resulting in the mass murder of millions of innocent civilians throughout Europe.
Groups targeted included 6 million Jews, 200,000 Gypsies, 1 million Polish civilians, and 70,000 Germans with disabilities, as well as political opponents
Nazis used gas chambers and other means of mass murder.
The Allies were less harsh on Germany compared to the post-World War I treatment, with only eleven Nazis being sentenced to death, and others imprisoned.
The rise of Nazi Germany can be traced partially to post-WWI Germany

Germany fought WWI alongside Austria-Hungary and against the Allied forces (England, France, and Russia) during 1914-1918.
Germany's initial gains were countered by the Allied victory in November 1918.
The abdication of the German emperor led to the establishment of a democratic republic.
The Weimar Republic established a federal structure and a democratically elected parliament.
All adults, including women, received the right to vote and participate in elections.
The terms enforced by the Versailles Treaty were extremely harsh on Germany, demanding territorial losses, resource reductions, and enormous reparations.

WWI had a devastating psychological and financial impact across Europe.
Europe shifted from a creditor continent to one burdened with debt.
The nascent Weimar Republic suffered from war guilt and humiliation.
Financial pressures worsened with Germany forced to make reparations.
Political radicalization increased due to economic crisis.
Support for the Weimar Republic, primarily from Socialists, Catholics, and Democrats, became a target.
The November criminals' derogatory label aimed at democratic politicians.

The political climate in Berlin, during 1918 and 1919, witnessed frequent political demonstrations and demands for Soviet-style governance.
The Spartacist League, a radical group, held demonstrations in German cities
The Weimar Republic's suppression of Spartacist uprisings.
The 1923 economic crisis in Germany led to hyperinflation, with the German mark losing substantial value.
French occupation of the Ruhr Valley due to Germany's non-payment of reparations.
The Dawes Plan's attempt to ease financial burdens on Germany.