24-2 Homework Quiz

What was appeasement and why did Churchill oppose it so strongly?

It is giving up principles to pacify an aggressor. Winston Churchill opposed the policy of appeasement by blatantly saying Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonor. They chose dishonor. They will have war. Churchill knew and warned that Hitler was not finished expanding the third Reich.

What foreign policy actions did Hitler take after he came to power?

1.To destroy the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany after her defeat in World War One. (he thought it was unfair) 2.To unite all German speakers together in one country. After World War One there were Germans living in many countries in Europe and Hitler hoped that by uniting them together in one country he would create a powerful Germany or Grossdeutschland. 3. To expand eastwards into the East (Poland, Russia) to gain land for Germany (Lebensraum- living space). 4. Have access to natural resources

What was the Anschluss?

Austrian Anschluss, March 1938. Hitler wanted all German-speaking nations in Europe to be a part of Germany. To this end, he had designs on re-uniting Germany with his native homeland, Austria. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, however, Germany and Austria were forbidden to be unified.

How did Britain and France respond to Germany's actions?

Britain and France accepted German rearmament in 1935, the re-occupation of the Rhineland in 1936, and the union with Austria in March 1938, all in defiance of the Versailles Treaty. However, they were forced to declare war when Germany invaded. (They submitted to Hitler's demands).

What action freed Hitler to invade Poland?

Hitler and Stalin signed a non-aggression pact which included secret clauses for the division of Poland.

What happened to France after the "phony war"?

Hitler turned his sights on France. He launched his blitzkrieg and quickly took Paris and trapped the bulk of Allied forces at Dunkirk. It is known as the Battle of France.

What was the result of the Battle of Britain?

The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces, and was also the largest and most sustained aerial bombing campaign to that date. The German objective was to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF), especially Fighter Command.

What new tactics did Germany use in attacking Poland?

The German invasion of Poland was over right after it began. This is because Germany developed a new strategy called blitzkrieg (It gave the target no time to prepare or put up a much of a fight. Adolf Hitler used this strategy very well), and while Poland was stuck in its old WWI ways. The Germans mass manufactured new vehicles to support their attack style. Bombers would carpet the area followed by tanks and infantry in lightning quick fashion that enemies could not withstand.

What was the Munich Agreement?

The Munich Agreement was an agreement between France, Italy, Nazi Germany and Britain. After Germany invaded the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, the British and French prime ministers tried to get Hitler to agree not to use his military in future in return for the land he had taken. Hitler agreed to sign a promise.

What was the "phony war"?

The Phoney War was a phase early in World War II that was marked by a lack of major military operations by the Western Allies (the United Kingdom and France) against the German Reich. Suddenly, on April 9, 1940, Hitler launched a surprise invasion of Denmark and Norway in order "to protect [those countries'] freedom and independence." But in truth, Hitler planned to build bases along the coasts to strike at Great Britain. Next, Hitler turned against the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, which were overrun by the end of May. The phony war had ended.

What was Britain's situation at the end of 1940?

They had been badly defeated, first in Norway, then in France. They had barely been able to get their army out of France but had been forced to leave all of the artillery, trucks, tanks, mortars, machine guns and other heavy equipment behind. Thus they were essentially incapable of mounting any sort of land campaign. Since France had capitulated, they were without allies. The only thing standing between them and the German Army was the English channel. Many people were expecting that the Germans would be in London within three weeks. Fortunately, the English Channel, guarded by the Royal Navy and, particularly, the Royal Air Force, proved an impassable barrier for the Germans. In addition, the whole Continental coastline opposite Britain from the north of Norway to the Spanish border was in enemy hands.