All Flashcards
What is American Isolationism?
A policy of non-involvement in international affairs, particularly European affairs, prevalent in the U.S. after WWI.
What is appeasement?
A policy of giving in to the demands of an aggressor in order to avoid war.
What is collective security?
A system where multiple states agree to mutually defend each other against attack.
What is the League of Nations?
An international organization established after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among nations.
What is the Treaty of Versailles?
The peace treaty that ended World War I, imposing harsh terms on Germany.
What is the Rhineland?
A demilitarized zone in western Germany bordering France, reoccupied by Germany in 1936.
What is the Sudetenland?
A region of Czechoslovakia inhabited by a German-speaking minority, annexed by Germany in 1938.
What is Anschluss?
The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938.
What is a non-aggression pact?
An agreement between countries not to attack each other.
What is Fascism?
A political ideology characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and militarism.
What were the causes and effects of the Treaty of Versailles?
Causes: End of WWI. Effects: German resentment, economic hardship, rise of extremism, and ultimately, WWII.
What were the causes and effects of the remilitarization of the Rhineland?
Causes: Hitler's desire to strengthen Germany and challenge the Treaty of Versailles. Effects: Emboldened Hitler, weakened the League of Nations.
What were the causes and effects of Italy's invasion of Ethiopia?
Causes: Mussolini's desire to expand Italy's empire and assert its power. Effects: Showed the League of Nations' inability to stop aggression.
What were the causes and effects of the Anschluss of Austria?
Causes: Hitler's desire to unite all German-speaking peoples. Effects: Violation of the Treaty of Versailles, increased German power.
What were the causes and effects of the appeasement of Hitler?
Causes: Desire to avoid war. Effects: Emboldened Hitler, led to further aggression, and ultimately failed to prevent WWII.
What were the causes and effects of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact?
Causes: Hitler's desire to invade Poland without Soviet intervention, Stalin's desire to buy time and expand Soviet influence. Effects: Paved the way for WWII, divided Eastern Europe.
What were the causes and effects of post-WWI disillusionment?
Causes: Horrors of WWI. Effects: American isolationism, reluctance to engage in European affairs, and the weakening of the League of Nations.
What were the causes and effects of the League of Nations' weakness?
Causes: Lack of authority, absence of the U.S., post-WWI disillusionment. Effects: Failure to prevent aggression, emboldening of expansionist powers.
What were the causes and effects of the rise of extremist ideologies?
Causes: Economic hardships and social unrest of the interwar period. Effects: Political instability, increased nationalism, and the rise of authoritarian regimes.
What were the causes and effects of extreme nationalism in Germany and Italy?
Causes: Economic hardships, social unrest, desire for national greatness. Effects: Expansionist policies, aggression, and ultimately, WWII.
Compare the expansionist policies of Germany and Italy.
Both sought to expand their territories and assert their power. Germany focused on uniting German-speaking peoples and overturning the Treaty of Versailles, while Italy aimed to create a new Roman Empire.
Compare American isolationism and neutrality.
Isolationism is a policy of non-involvement in international affairs, while neutrality is a stance of not taking sides in a conflict. Isolationism is broader and more proactive in avoiding entanglement.
Compare the League of Nations and the United Nations.
Both are international organizations aimed at promoting peace. The UN has more authority and broader membership than the League, which was weakened by the absence of the U.S. and its inability to enforce decisions.
Compare Fascism and Communism.
Both are totalitarian ideologies. Fascism emphasizes nationalism and a hierarchical social structure, while Communism emphasizes class struggle and a stateless society (in theory).