WWII Causes Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the Spartacus League?

A left-wing Marxist revolutionary movement organized in Germany during and just after the politically volatile years of World War I.

What is Article 231 commonly known as?

The Guilt Clause

What were Wilson's 14 Points?

A statement of principles for peace used for peace negotiations to end World War I.

What was the purpose of the League of Nations?

To try and keep wars from happening. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Churchill?

British statesman and leader during World War II. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Chamberlain?

British Prime Minister who made the Munich Agreement with Hitler. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Weimar Republic?

The new German republic established post-World War I. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Maynard Keynes?

British economist who promoted deficit spending to stimulate economic recovery. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Carthaginian peace' refer to?

The imposition of a very brutal peace. Signup and view all the answers

What is appeasement?

Satisfying the demands of dissatisfied powers to maintain peace. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Ruhr Crisis?

The invasion of the Ruhr valley by France in 1922 to collect reparations. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Ruhr Crisis?

France was kicked out and morally defeated. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Spirit of Locarno?

A series of treaties signed in Locarno, Switzerland to settle Germany's borders. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Locarno Agreement?

Seven agreements aimed at securing post-war territorial settlements. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Stresemann?

A politician who signed a treaty with Russia to improve Germany's credibility. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Dawes Plan?

A plan to revive the German economy through US loans for reparations. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Young Plan?

A program for the settlement of German reparations post-WWI. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Freedom Law?

A law that repudiated the War Guilt Clause. Signup and view all the answers

What does Revanche mean?

The French desire for revenge against Germany. Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 48 entail?

Allowed for the Chancellor to assume dictatorial powers during emergencies. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Anschluss?

The union Hitler proclaimed when German forces marched into Austria. Signup and view all the answers

What happened at the Geneva Disarmament Conference?

Hitler and the German delegation left in protest against military policies. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Lytton Commission?

A commission established by the League of Nations to investigate issues in Manchuria. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Spartacus League

Left-wing Marxist revolutionary movement in Germany during and post-World War I.

Article 231

Known as the "Guilt Clause" in the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
Germany was held responsible for initiating World War I.
Primarily influenced by the United Kingdom and France, with limited input from the United States.

Wilson's 14 Points

Advocated for self-determination of nations and freedom of the seas.
Proposed the establishment of the League of Nations.
Opposed punitive war reparations.

League of Nations

Established to prevent future wars, envisioned by President Woodrow Wilson.
The U.S. did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles and thus remained outside the League.
Lacked authority to enforce decisions or prevent conflicts.

Churchill

Prominent British statesman and leader during World War II.

Chamberlain

British Prime Minister known for the Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler.

Weimar Republic

Germany's new government post-WWI, faced severe economic burdens, needing to pay annual reparations of $33 billion.
Reparations reduced based on Germany's economic recovery; relied on U.S. loans.

John Maynard Keynes

British economist advocating for deficit spending as a recovery strategy during economic downturns.
Opposed reparations, believing they hindered recovery.

Carthaginian Peace

Refers to the harsh terms imposed on a defeated nation.

Appeasement

Policy of satisfying the demands of dissatisfied powers to maintain peace and stability.

Ruhr Crisis

1922 invasion of the Ruhr Valley by France to enforce reparation payments from Germany.

Outcome of Ruhr Crisis

Resulted in France being morally defeated and losing credibility.

Spirit of Locarno

Series of treaties settling Germany's borders with France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Poland.
Enabled Germany and the Soviet Union to join the League of Nations.

Locarno Agreement

Seven agreements aimed at securing post-war territorial settlements in Europe.
Divided borders into guaranteed western borders and reviseable eastern borders.

Stresemann

German leader who signed an important treaty with Russia to gain credibility for Germany.

Dawes Plan

U.S. financial assistance to revive the German economy and facilitate reparation payments to England and France.
Created a successful circular flow of money.

Young Plan

Established total German reparations at roughly $26.35 billion to be paid over 58½ years.
Adopted in 1930 to replace the Dawes Plan.

Freedom Law

Law that rejected the "War Guilt" clause from the Treaty of Versailles.

Revanche

French sentiment for revenge against Germany over losses incurred during the Franco-Prussian War (1870).

Article 48

Allowed the Chancellor to assume dictatorial powers in emergencies, exploited by Bruning.

Anschluss

Union between Germany and Austria proclaimed by Hitler, occurring without resistance in Austria.

Geneva Disarmament Conference

1933 meeting where Hitler withdrew in protest of European military policies, strengthening his domestic position.

Lytton Commission

Established by the League of Nations to investigate the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

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Explore key terms related to the causes of World War II with these flashcards. Each card presents a significant term or concept from the political landscape leading up to the war, helping you understand the historical context. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike.