All Flashcards
What is 'Appeasement'?
A diplomatic policy of making concessions to an aggressive power to avoid conflict.
Define 'Blitzkrieg'.
A German military tactic involving rapid, coordinated attacks using tanks, planes, and infantry.
What was the 'Anschluss'?
The annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938.
What is 'Island Hopping'?
A US military strategy in the Pacific War involving capturing key islands to advance towards Japan.
Define 'Reparations' (in context of Treaty of Versailles).
Payments imposed on Germany after WWI to cover war damages, crippling its economy.
What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?
A non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939.
What was the Weimar Republic?
The German government between 1919 and 1933, characterized by political instability and economic woes.
What is meant by 'Remilitarization'?
The act of rebuilding military forces in a region or country, specifically referring to Hitler's actions in the Rhineland.
What was the League of Nations?
An international organization founded after World War I to promote peace and cooperation, but was ultimately ineffective in preventing WWII.
What is meant by 'Economic Sanctions'?
Trade restrictions imposed by one or more countries on another to force a change in policy, as used by the US against Japan.
What were the causes and effects of the Treaty of Versailles?
Causes: End of WWI. Effects: Economic hardship in Germany, territorial losses, resentment, rise of extremism.
What were the causes and effects of the policy of appeasement?
Causes: Desire to avoid war. Effects: Hitler's increased aggression, remilitarization, annexation of Austria.
What were the causes and effects of the German invasion of Poland?
Causes: Hitler's expansionist goals. Effects: Declarations of war by Britain and France, start of WWII.
What were the causes and effects of the attack on Pearl Harbor?
Causes: US economic sanctions on Japan. Effects: US entry into WWII, war against Japan.
What were the causes and effects of the Battle of Stalingrad?
Causes: German invasion of the USSR. Effects: Turning point on the Eastern Front, devastating defeat for Germany.
What were the causes and effects of D-Day?
Causes: Allied planning and resources. Effects: Beginning of the liberation of Western Europe, pressure on Germany.
What were the causes and effects of the atomic bombings of Japan?
Causes: Desire to end the war quickly. Effects: Japanese surrender, end of WWII, debate over the morality of using such weapons.
What were the causes and effects of the rise of Fascism?
Causes: Economic hardship, political instability, resentment from WWI. Effects: Authoritarian regimes, aggressive expansion, WWII.
What were the causes and effects of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?
Causes: Stalin and Hitler's territorial ambitions and desire to avoid immediate conflict. Effects: Paved the way for the invasion of Poland, shocked the world.
What were the causes and effects of the Meiji Restoration?
Causes: Desire to modernize and avoid Western colonization. Effects: Rapid industrialization, military buildup, expansionist policies.
Who was Adolf Hitler?
The leader of Nazi Germany, responsible for aggressive expansion and the Holocaust.
Who was Benito Mussolini?
The fascist dictator of Italy, who sought to rebuild the Roman Empire.
Who was Joseph Stalin?
The leader of the Soviet Union during WWII, known for his brutal regime and strategic importance in defeating Germany.
What role did Neville Chamberlain play?
British Prime Minister known for his policy of appeasement towards Hitler before WWII.
What was Hideki Tojo's role?
Prime Minister of Japan during much of WWII; advocated for aggressive expansion.
Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?
The President of the United States during WWII, led the country after Pearl Harbor.
What was Winston Churchill known for?
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during WWII, known for his strong leadership and defiance against Hitler.
Who was Emperor Hirohito?
The emperor of Japan during WWII, a symbol of Japanese nationalism and militarism.
Who was Charles de Gaulle?
The leader of the Free French forces during WWII, symbolizing French resistance.
What was Erwin Rommel known for?
A German field marshal known as the 'Desert Fox' for his campaigns in North Africa.