WWII Causes Terms

Lebensraum

"Living space", land from the countries Hitler was going to conquer and repurpose for the new German Reich. This principle was a part of Hitler's grand vision and plan to restore Germany's social and armed prowess.

ONB

"Opera Nazionale Balilla", was an Italian fascist youth organization. Similar to the Hitler Youth, except it also changed the curriculum in public schools to promote fascism.

Locarno Pact

(1925) a series of agreements formed by Great Britain, Germany, and France, Belgium, and Italy in Locarno, Switzerland and signed in London, England. The Pact essentially guaranteed peace in Europe following WWI. In case of an attack by one of the members of the agreement on another member, then the remaining members would defend the member being attacked. Locarno was an important treaty that signified European cooperation following WWI and before WWII. However, the agreement would obviously not nullify Hitler and his ambitions to restore Germany's prowess.

Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

(German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact) This pact stated that both countries would not attack each other or work in conjunction with a third party that could threaten the other country. Germany wanted to pact so that they could take Poland without opposition so they would not be troubled with fighting on two fronts. The one front being Poland in the East and the other being France and Britain in the West.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd American President. Term: 1933 - 1945, Democrat. Very famous for his New Deal legislations intended to boost the American economy. Also known for his role in the Potsdam Conference after WWII. As WWII started, Roosevelt gave Great Britain and China significant diplomatic and economic aid, while remaining neutral. He wanted to create the American "Arsenal of Democracy."

Fascism

A radical form of authoritarian nationalism, characterized by veneration of the state, militarism, and a connection to a strong leader. Came to prominence in West Europe in the early 20th century, obviously caused a whole lot of problems in WWII.

Czechoslovakia

A sovereign state in Central Europe that has been the victim of multiple international aggressions on its lands. The Sudetenland was located in Czechoslovakia, and one of Hitler's earlier aggressions was in annexing this land. The Czech government was not given little to no say in appeasement proceedings regarding its own lands, which signifies that its government was not very influential in European affairs.

Japanese Imperialism

After the Meiji restoration, Japan began to look at its neighbors and itself differently. They started to covet the natural resources that their surrounding countries had, and began to believe themselves better than them with a growing sense of nationalism. This eventually culminated in Japan invading its neighbors and taking their resources for themselves.

Pact of Steel

Agreement between Germany and Italy in 1939 as a declaration of trust and a joint program of policies for their economies and militaries. Japan was originally included as an ally, but they wanted the pact to focus on anti-Soviet policies, while Germany and Italy were more concerned with Britain and France. As a result Japan was not included.

Munich Agreement

An agreement signed in 1938 between Hitler, Great Britain, France, and Italy that allowed for the German annexation of parts of the Czechoslovakia on the border with high concentrations of Germans, known as the Sudetenland. The state of Czechoslovakia was not invited to the conference, and thus felt betrayed by Germany and France. Additionally, this agreement is seen as a significant act of appeasement towards Hitler before WWII.

Anschluss

Anschluss, which translates to connection or union, was the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938. It was another aspect

"Appeasement"

Appeasement towards Hitler was essentially a series of acts and concessions designed by Great Britain and France to avoid war. The term is widely associated with Neville Chamberlain. His acts of appeasement are highly debated today with regards to their impact on starting catalyzing WWII.

Nuremberg Laws

At the annual party rally held in Nuremberg in 1935, the Nazis announced new laws which institutionalized many of the racial theories prevalent in Nazi ideology. The laws excluded German Jews from Reich citizenship and prohibited them from marrying or having sexual relations with persons of "German or related blood."

Neutrality Acts

Attempts by the US to ensure it would not become entangled in another foreign war by clearly stating its neutrality in all world affairs. First neutrality act of 1930 made it illegal for arms manufacturers to sell "arms, ammunition, and implements of war" from the US to foreign nations at war. Neutrality act of 1937 barred US citizens from travelling on belligerent nations' ships, US ships from shipping any arms to belligerent nations, and gave the president the authority to stop all belligerent nations' ships from docking in US waters; this policy began the "cash-and-carry" provision, letting nations use their own ships to buy and transport anything except weapons from the US. Neutrality act of 1939 lifted ban on arms and all nations could "cash-and-carry" anything.

Mein Kampf

Book writen by Hitler where he outlines his beliefs: Germans are a superior race, The Treaty of Versailles treated Germany unfairly and that a crowed Germany needed the lands of Eastern Europe and Russia

Anti-Comintern Pact

Both Germany and Japan were left with limited opportunities for expansion and for colonization. As Japan tried to expand into China they felt resistance from Russia and with this agreement if Russia acted again Germany would be involved and that would allow Japan to take China.

Anglo-German Naval Agreement

Britain was sympathetic to the harsh terms of Germany's surrender after WWI, and since Germany was arguably Europe's strongest power they wanted to bring them up on better terms. Also, Hitler's intentions were fairly cloudy at the time, and no one knew whether he still wanted to invade his surrounding countries or just lead Germany to any point of prosperity. Hitler intended for the talks to begin an Anglo-German pact against France and the Soviet Union. Eventually, it culminated in Germany being allowed to have a navy 35% in weight of Britain's navy, which was controversial because it directly violated the Treaty of Versailles. Neither parties were happy with this outcome really.

Neville Chamberlain

Conservative British Politician who was prime minister of the UK from May 1937 to May 1940. He is known for promoting appeasement to deal with Hitler. He signed the Munich Agreement of 1938 to give the German part of Czechoslovakia (sudetenland) to Germany. He also later led Britain through the first 8 months of the WWII.

Treaty of Versailles

Created by the leaders victorious allies Nations: France, Britain, US, and signed by Germany to help stop WWI. The treaty 1)stripped Germany of all Army, Navy, Airforce. 2) Germany had to repay war damages(33 billion) 3) Germany had to acknowledge guilt for causing WWI 4) Germany could not manufacture any weapons.

Abyssinian Crisis

Crisis coming as a result of the tensions from the Walwal incident between Italy and Ethiopia ("Abyssinia" in those days) during the interwar period. Despite both countries being members of the League of Nations, and signing a pact of friendship for 20 years in 1928, Italy built a fort called Walwal in the border region of Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland. Ethiopians went and asked the Italians to leave; they refused. At some point one of the groups opened fire on the other and skirmishes ensued, around 100 Ethiopians and 50 Italians and Somalis died. Ethiopia appealed to the LON, but they were inconclusive; they absolved both countries for responsibility in what happened. Mussolini then entered an agreement with France, giving France some of Somaliland and France giving Italy a free hand in Ethiopian affairs as France wanted Italian support against Germany. Italy mobilised its troops, the LON talked and talked but decided nothing, and eventually Italy just invaded Ethiopia without declaring war.

Benito Mussolini

Fascist dictator of Italy (1922-1943). He led Italy to conquer Ethiopia (1935), joined Germany in the Axis pact (1936), and allied Italy with Germany in World War II. He was overthrown in 1943 when the Allies invaded Italy.

Gestapo

Founded by Hermann Goering, The Gestapo, abbreviation of Geheime Staatspolizei, "Secret State Police") was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and German-occupied Europe. Hermann Göring formed the unit in 1933. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of SS national leader Heinrich Himmler, who in 1936 was appointed Chief of German Police (Chef der Deutschen Polizei) by Hitler. In 1936, Himmler made it a suboffice of the Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo) ("Security Police"). Then from 27 September 1939 forward, it was administered by the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA) ("Reich Main Security Office") and was considered a sister organization of the Sicherheitsdienst (SD) ("Security Service").

Adolf Hitler

German chancellor and fuhrer during WWII. Rose to power after the weak weimar republic fell to the Nazis; introduced a number of racially segregated policies in his own country, invaded a number of surrounding countries in the name of German superiority, etc.

Circular Money Cycle

Germany had no way of paying off its debt from World War I,2; America decided to give them money to pay off their loans, which were paid to the Allied powers as reparations, which were then given back to the US.

Joseph Stalin

He led the Soviet Union from the 1920s to 1953, which was the year of his death.

Joseph Goebbels

He was appointed propaganda chief by Hitler in 1928, and began to influence the culture of Nazi Germany by diminishing creative expression through art and news media and also banished any jewish influence in Germany. He created the atmosphere that made possible the terrible acts by Nazis against Jews, homosexuals, and other minorities.

Hideki Tojo

Hideki Tojo was a general of Imperial Army and 40th Prime Minister of Japan in WWII. Responsible for attack on Pearl Harbor, instigated US involvement in the war (which greatly annoyed Hitler). After the war, was arrested and hanged for war crimes.

Emperor Hirohito

Hirohito (1901-1989) was emperor of Japan from 1926 until his death in 1989. He took over at a time of rising democratic sentiment, but his country soon turned toward ultra-nationalism and militarism.

Brown Shirts (SA) (stormtroopers)

Hitler set of this group of former soldiers to protect Nazi meetings from anyone who might disrupt them and then eventually led to this group disrupting meetings of opposing political political groups. The brown shirts had a bad reputation of being extremely violent and acting as thugs.

League of Nations

Huge institution of collective security, loosely held coalition of nations with the intent of resolving international conflicts. In practice it was largely ineffective; the "great powers" were reluctant to actually interfere in any conflicts, and the smaller nations didn't have enough influence to actually make a difference.

Admiral Yamamoto

Isoroku Yamamoto (April 4, 1884 - April 18, 1943) was a Japanese Marhsal Admiral and commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet. He organized many of the navy's restructuring, and was particulary influential in developing their aviation tactics. He was a major player in important battles in the Pacific theater, like Midway and Pearl Harbor. He was killed when Americans broke Japanese codes and found his flight, then shot it down. This was a detriment to Japanese morale.

Duce

Italian for "leader", term applied to Mussolini during WWII

Meiji Government

Japanese government during the Meiji era, characterised by a change from traditional isolationist policies to the more modern, globalized culture similar to today's. Lasted from 1868-1912, and formed from the samurais that overthrew the previous feudal military government, in the beginning it signalled Japan's readiness to unify and oppose the western colonialism of its neighbors, but ended with "huge government domestic and overseas investments and military programs, nearly exhausted credit, and a lack of foreign exchange to pay debts."

ABD Encirclement

Japanese reason for entering the war against the Americans, British, and Dutch. They claimed that they were not receiving the resources they needed, and the only way to acquire them was to go to war.

Kristallnacht

Kristallnacht, literally, "Night of Crystal," is often referred to as the "Night of Broken Glass." The name refers to the wave of violent anti-Jewish pogroms which took place on November 9 and 10, 1938, throughout Germany, annexed Austria, and in areas of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia recently occupied by German troops. Very important event that marks the cultural isolation and attacks of the Jewish populations. Essentially, they had no protection from the Nazi state.

Manchuria

Major asset for Japan that they decided to invade in September of 1931. The army acted without orders from Tokyo and took a number of cities within a few days. Manchuria had an abundance of natural resources, like mineral and coal reserves and great soil for planting barley and soy.

Italian Fascism

Major point: had none of the racial superiority that was so integral to Nazi fascism. On all other fronts, they were practically the same.

Washington Naval Conference

Military conference held in US with Japan, China, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, and Britain in attendance. Agreed on Four-Power Treaty, Five-Power Treaty, and Nine-Power Treaty, basically these nations trying to disarm themselves and preserve peace, but some credit it with allowing Japan to build up its navy for WWII.

Nazism/ NSDAP

Nazism (or National Socialism; German: Nationalsozialismus) is a set of political beliefs associated with the Nazi Party of Germany. It started in the 1920s. The Party gained power in 1933. Nazi Triangle: Racial superiority, Strong Dictatorship, Land Expansion

Beer Hall Putsch

November 8-9, 1923, attempt by Nazi party run by Adolf Hitler and Erich Ludendorff to overtake the city of (FC Bayern) Munich.

Why war with the east?

Once Japan attacked the US at Pearl Harbor, US desperately wanted to make them pay.

"Ein reich, ein volk, ein fuher"

One realm, One people, one ruler. Hitler's rallying call to the people of Germany, called for a united people. This was an effective method to untie the German people under Hitler's regime, and encourage them to comply with his laws, as he convinced them that his actions were intended for the greater benefit of Germany.

Philippe Petain

Petain was a national hero in France for his role in the defence of Verdun in World War One, but was later discredited and sentenced to death as head of the French collaborationist government at Vichy in World War Two.

"Co-Prosperity Sphere"

Propaganda by the Japanese for their Asian neighbors. It was toted as a movement to create an Asia free from Western influence, but in reality it was Japan attempting to assert dominance over the rest of Asia. After the war, it was discovered that Japan had intended to put itself at the top of this hierarchy and have all other nations its subordinates, with its true intention domination and conquest of Asia.

Three Sides of the Nazi Triangle (Nazi Ideology)

Racial superiority, Strong dictatorship, Land Expansion. Racial superiority because Hitler and many Germans believed that the Jews were part of the reason they lost in World War I, made the Germans weaker than if it had just been full of Arians. A strong dictatorship was how Hitler was going to assert Germany's dominance over the rest of the world. Land expansion was so that his new Reich would have the "living space" (lebensraum) for agricultural production and literal living space.

Sudeten Germans

Referring to the German inhabitants of northern, south, and western areas of Czechoslovakia. The high concentration of Germans in these areas essentially created a subculture in Czechoslovakia where the Germans were highly independent of the national government. Hitler used this as a primary reason to invade Czechoslovakia and incorporate the Sudeten Germans into the motherland.

Ovra

Secret police of Italy, founded by Mussolini in 1927. Were designed to stop activities that threatened fascism in Italy, and to control resistance groups in the Balkans. Had around 5000 agents in Italy, headed by Arturo Bocchini.

Spanish Civil War Franco

Spain was lagging behind other European nations industrially

"A Peace in Our Time"

Spoken in a speech by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in 1938. In context, Chamberlain believed he had succeeded in appeasing Hitler at the Munich Conference and securing Anglo-German relations. This is, however, very ironic as Great Britain would enter WWII the following year.

Lausanne 1932

The Lausanne Conference was a 1932 meeting of representatives from Great Britain, Germany, and France that resulted in an agreement to suspend World War I reparations payments imposed on the defeated countries by the Treaty of Versailles. Held from June 16 to July 9, 1932, it was named for its location in Lausanne, Switzerland. With the global depression the delegates realized that Germany would be unable to continue its reparations, but they had all borrowed heavily from the US during the war and the final decision to eliminate the debt presided with them; US chose not to eliminate it.

Little Entente

The Little Entente was an alliance formed in 1920 and 1921 by Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia with the purpose of common defense against Hungarian revision and the prevention of a Habsburg restoration. France supported the alliance by signing treaties with each member country.

Black Shirts

The MVSN was a volunteer militia for Italy, originally a paramilitary portion of the National Fascist Party. Wore black uniforms, hence the name, and swore an oath of loyalty to Mussolini. Formed from aristocrats and intellectuals who disliked poor people unifying, their methods were increasingly violent as Mussolini gained power.

Mukden Incident

The Mukden Incident, also known as the Manchurian Incident, was a staged event engineered by Japanese military personnel as a pretext for the Japanese invasion of the northeastern part of China, known as Manchuria, in 1931.On September 18, 1931, a small quantity of dynamite was detonated by Lt. Kawamoto Suemori close to a railway line owned by Japan's South Manchuria Railway near Mukden (now Shenyang). Although the explosion was so weak that it failed to destroy the track and a train passed over it minutes later, the Imperial Japanese Army, accusing Chinese dissidents of the act, responded with a full invasion that led to the occupation of Manchuria, in which Japan established its puppet state of Manchukuo six months later. The ruse of war was soon exposed to the international community, leading Japan to diplomatic isolation and its March 1933 withdrawal from the League of Nations.

"Night of Long Knives"

The Night of the Long Knives was a series of murders orchestrated by the nazi party between the dates of June 30 and July 2, 1934. All of the murders were high-profile political targets. This event, like other such attacks, illustrate the sheer extent to which so called enemies of the state were eliminated. Thus, it portrays the totalitarian nature of the Nazi state.

SS

The Schutzstaffel translated to Protection Squadron or defence corps, abbreviated SS was a German secret police, a paramilitary organization under the Gestapo. Heinrich Himmler reformed it from a small guard unit into one of the most important and powerful organizations under Hitler's regime. Was eventually labelled a criminal organization by military tribunals after the war.

Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic is a name given by historians to the federal republic and semi-presidential representative democracy established in 1919 in Germany to replace the imperial form of government. Unable to salvage the nation in the face of crippling national debt from WWI and the lasting resentment from their loss, it was ultimately overthrown by the Nazis.

Rhineland

The demilitarized zone of Germany that was meant to act as a buffer between France and Germany after WWI. Eventually, Germany just put around 32,000 troops there again, against the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, with no retaliation from any of the Allies.

Sudetenland

The northern, southwest, and western border regions of Czechoslovakia that had high concentrations of Germans. The leader of the prominent party leader in the Sudetenland was Konrad Henlein. Hitler used the fact that there were so many Germans in this region to annex the land to mainland Germany. Henlein was an important connection for the Reich within Czechoslovakia.

Remilitarization of Germany

The remilitarization of the Rhineland by the German Army took place on 7 March 1936 when German military forces entered the Rhineland. This was significant because it violated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties, marking the first time since the end of World War I that German troops had been in this region. The remilitarization was hugely important as it changed the balance of power in Europe from France towards Germany, and made it possible for Germany to pursue a policy of aggression in Eastern Europe that the demilitarized status of the Rhineland had blocked until then.

Samurai Culture

There was a pretty high literacy rate among them, and a proficiency with math that came with years of training in monasteries before applying themselves to politics. Wives of samurai were usually left at home to care for their houses. The usual characteristics of a samurai were intense devotion to their societal duties, and a commitment to the people they were in charge of.

Maginot Line

This French line of defense was constructed along the country's border with Germany during the 1930s and named after Minister of War André Maginot. It primarily extended from La Ferté to the Rhine River, though sections also stretched along the Rhine and the Italian frontier.

Rape of Nanking

This is basically synonymous with Massacre of Nanking. Refer to that term.

Dawes Plan

This plan was to reduce Germany's annual reparation payments, from damage caused in WWI, to be reduced and then gradually increased as the German economy improved. Foreign banks would also loan $200 million to encourage economic stabilization The US lended money to Germany to pay off all reparations to France and the UK who used the money they got from Germany to pay off their war debts from the US.

Hermann Goering

Was a major German politician and military leader under Hitler. He fought in WWI as a fighter pilot, and helped Hitler take power in 1933. This made him his right hand man, and literally the second most powerful man in Germany. Founded the Gestapo, then gave it over to Himmler. He was commander-in-chief of the German Luftwaffe, and was in charge of the Four Year Plan that built up the German economy prior to WWII. Had a sort of falling out with Hitler after the Luftwaffe started to fail in 1942, he left the military and politics for the most part. He asked Hitler if he could run Germany after Hitler committed suicide, so Hitler sentenced him to death, but he committed suicide himself first.