World War 2 Causes - Chapter 27 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Which of these were causes of World War 2? (Select all that apply)

Good Economy

Rise of Totalitarianism (correct)

Treaty of Versailles (correct)

Militarism (correct)

How did the Treaty of Versailles lead to WW2?

It devastated Germany economically.

How did the rise of totalitarianism lead to WW2?

Dictatorships in Germany, Italy, and Japan invaded countries to expand their 'empires'.

How did the Great Depression lead to WW2?

Great Depression made the economic problems caused by WW1 worse. Signup and view all the answers

How did anti-communism lead to WW2?

Dictators used fear of communism to obtain total power from the people. Signup and view all the answers

How did 'appeasement' lead to WW2?

Britain allowed Germany to invade Czechoslovakia which may have emboldened Hitler to continue expansion. Signup and view all the answers

How did militarism lead to WW2?

Totalitarian regimes built up extreme militaries and used them to pursue expansion. Signup and view all the answers

How did nationalism lead to WW2?

Nationalist feelings in Italy, Japan, and Germany made people believe they have a RIGHT to expand. Signup and view all the answers

How did U.S. isolationism lead to WW2?

The U.S. refused to get involved for two years until they were attacked by Japan. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the dictator of Italy?

Benito Mussolini. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the dictator of Germany?

Adolf Hitler. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the dictator of the Soviet Union?

Stalin. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the fascist leader of Japan?

Hideki Tojo. Signup and view all the answers

How did Japan expand before WW2?

They invaded nearby islands and China to gain control of their resources. Signup and view all the answers

How did Italy expand before WW2?

They invaded Albania and Ethiopia. Signup and view all the answers

How did Germany expand before WW2?

They annexed Austria, invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Pact of Non-Aggression'?

Pact signed by Germany and Russia - let's invade Poland and split it up between us. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Tripartite Pact (1940)?

Germany, Italy, and Japan sign a pact and form the Axis powers. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Axis Powers?

Germany, Italy, Japan. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Allied Powers?

France, Great Britain, Soviet Union. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the main Allied leaders?

U.S. President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Churchill, Soviet leader Stalin. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Axis leaders?

Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Germany bomb major cities like London?

They thought massive civilian casualties would make Great Britain surrender to Germany. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Non-Aggression Pact Hitler signed with Stalin?

Hitler invaded Soviet Union to prevent them from helping Great Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What is fascism?

A type of totalitarianism which includes a dictator, nationalism, anti-communism, suppression of all opposition. Signup and view all the answers

What is totalitarianism?

A type of government which controls all facets of citizens' lives. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Causes of WW2

Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to economic devastation.
Rise of totalitarian regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan driven by expansionist policies.
The Great Depression exacerbated economic turmoil from WW1, creating fertile ground for extremist politics.
Anti-communism provided dictators with a means to consolidate power by exploiting public fears.
The policy of appeasement, notably allowing Germany’s invasion of Czechoslovakia, emboldened further aggression.
Militarism saw totalitarian states significantly boost military capability for expansion efforts.
Nationalistic fervor in Italy, Japan, and Germany fueled the belief in a national right to territorial expansion.
U.S. isolationism delayed engagement, permitting Axis advances until the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Key Leaders and Dictators

Benito Mussolini was the fascist dictator of Italy.
Adolf Hitler led Germany as a dictator.
Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union with an iron fist.
Hideki Tojo served as both General and Prime Minister of Japan.

Expansion of Axis Powers

Japan invaded surrounding islands and China seeking resource control.
Italy expanded by invading Albania and Ethiopia.
Germany annexed Austria and invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Key Agreements

The Pact of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union outlined plans to invade Poland and divide it.
The Tripartite Pact of 1940 established the Axis Powers, including Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Major Powers

Axis Powers comprised Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Allied Powers included France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union.

Leadership During the War

Key Allied leaders were U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
Axis leaders included Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Hideki Tojo.

Military Strategies

German bombing campaigns targeted major cities like London to inflict civilian casualties and force surrender.
The Non-Aggression Pact between Hitler and Stalin was violated when Germany invaded the Soviet Union.

Political Systems

Fascism emphasizes totalitarian control, nationalism, and suppression of opposition; individual rights are secondary to the state.
Totalitarianism refers to a government system that exercises complete control over all aspects of life, utilizing terror, secret police, censorship, and denial of civil liberties.

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Description

Explore the key causes of World War 2 with these detailed flashcards from Chapter 27. Learn about the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of totalitarian regimes, and other significant factors influencing the outbreak of the war. Enhance your understanding of the complexities leading to this global conflict.