Western Civ Chapter 25 and 26 Questions

What was a gulag?

A gulag was a Soviet labor prison. Most were located in Siberia.

How would you describe Hitler's concept of fascism? Who supported Hitler's Nazi party?

A mixture of nationalism, socialism, and racism. The Nazi's drew support from all social classes across all the geographic regions in Germany. So many were desperate for Germany to be restored after the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles and the struggles of the Depression.

Why did Russia sign a nonaggression pact with the Nazis?

After not being invited to the Munich conference, Stalin began to fear that France and Britain were untrustworthy allies. Stalin's believed Western democracies would make a deal with Germany that would hurt Russia. Seeking security, Stalin made a deal with the Nazis, where he was promised territory in Poland, Finland, the Baltic states, and Bessarabia if he signed a nonaggression pact.

How would you describe the total war of World War II?

All aspects of society were pressed into service for the war.

To what extent were the 3 western powers (GB, F, US) success in stemming the economic crisis?

Although people were given hope, unemployment still was a problem in the US

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

An agreement between nations not to use war to settle their differences

What policies did Great Britain enact to solve the economic crisis of the Depression?

Britain abandoned the gold standard, raised tariff rates

What finally led to Britain and France declaring war on Germany?

Britain and France declared war in September 1939 after Germany sent troops into Poland. This came after years of attempted appeasement that ultimately resulted in failure.

Your book mentions two conclusions that Hitler drew from the Spanish Civil War, name them.

Britain and France did not want to get involved in a war The Allied powers would not be very good at coordinating resistance to the Nazis

How did the war in Russia go?

By the end of 1942, the Germans reached their greatest extent... They sieged Leningrad in the north, Moscow in the east, and Stalingrad in the south

What were Churchill's strengths and weaknesses?

Churchill's strengths were in speaking and personal diplomacy, while his weaknesses were his arrogance and sharp temper.

What were the uses and effects of radio and advertising on the masses?

Consumerism and advertising

Did Mussolini's Fascist Party improve Italy or Italians lives in the 1920's and 1930's?

Created a crony capitalism that benefitted the few more than the average citizen. However, Mussolini built public works projects, implemented a social security system, and encouraged traditional beliefs in family and the church.

Describe the artistic styles of cubism, expressionism, and dadaism.

Cubism - view objects from multiple perspectives and using basic geometric forms Expressionism - view objects subjectively using radical distortion to effect an emotional response Dadaism - rejected logic, reason, and aesthetics to produce nonsense and irrationality

How did the Nazi's limit Jewish rights after 1933?

Excluded from certain jobs, boycotts of Jewish businesses, intermarriage prohibitions, identification, exclusion from citizenship rights, violence

How would you describe Mussolini's concept of fascism? Who supported Mussolini's fascist party?

Fascism is a mix of nationalism and socialism. The middle class and landowners supported the fascists because they represented stability.

Who was the fascist leader in Spain?

Francisco Franco

By October the Allies had reached the border of which country?

Germany

How were the Dutch able to hold out against the Germans, and what happened afterwards?

Germany swept across the Scandinavian countries destroying everything in their path. The Dutch Marines were able to hold Hitler and his forces back. Hitler was furious and ordered the bombing of the cities. This caused great fear throughout Europe.

What were the Axis Powers?

Germany, Italy, Japan

Define anti-Semitism.

Hatred of Jews - based on religious, economic, and cultural beliefs

Why did the British prime minister, Neville Chamberlain, agree to Hitler's terms regarding the Sudetenland?

He believed that if Hitler occupied Sudetenland, allowing all Germans to be unified in one state, Germany would cease further invasions.

Why did Hitler annexed Austria?

Hitler annexed Austria because his end goal was to have a unified state of all Germans. Since Austrians were Germans, he wanted to annex it. In addition, he felt that he could annex Austria without much resistance because of the appeasement policy of the rest of Europe.

What happened at Dunkirk?

Hitler refused to order an attack on the British and French troops trapped at Dunkirk. The pause allowed enough time for British vessels, both large and small to evacuate hundreds of thousands of troops.

How did Hitler manipulate the German people into following his radical policies?

Hitler used the weariness of the war and international tolerance as his base manipulation point. With these factors, Hitler proposed the idea of reclaiming power of the world by playing with the German's emotions of shame and betrayal. Doing so, Hitler removed Germany from the League of Nations, built Germany's army back up (defying the Treaty of Versailles), and stated his goals were ultimate power and a unified Germany. He was able to successfully gain the German's trust in his policies which helped him complete his goals.

Did Hitler's Nazi Party improve Germany or Germans lives in the 1930's?

Hitler's policies appeared to have improved the German economy and made it the envy of the other European countries.

What were Hitler's stated goals for Germany?

Hitler's stated goals for Germany was to restore Germany's status in Europe and to unify Germans ethnically. Hitler also planned to expand eastwards to achieve Lebensraum, or "living space" for Germany.

How did the fascists in Italy gain power?

In 1922, the Italian government faced a crisis. Mussolini and the Fascists negotiated for representation in the coalition. His black shirts marched on Rome and occupied the city. The government resigned and Mussolini was asked to form a new government by the king.

When was a true second front opened?

In June 1944, the DDay invasion finally opened a true threat to Germany and forced them to split their army

How did the fascists in Germany gain power?

In the early 1930's, the Nazis were gaining a significant number of seats in the Reichstag. In 1933, Hitler was invited to be the Chancellor in Germany.

Describe war communism.

Initially, the Bolsheviks nationalized industry, banking, and railroads. They allowed small scale private enterprise, both commercial and agricultural. However, as the civil war dragged on, the Bolsheviks turned to war communism. They outlawed private commerce, took grain from the farmers, militarized production, and abolished money.

In what ways was Italy a divided country after World War 1?

Italy was divided north-south, urban-rural, wealthy-poor. Italy also was divided by a corrupt and incompetent political class

Who was John Maynard Keynes and can you describe his economic philosophy?

Keynes was an economist who believed that you could stimulate the economy through deficit spending

What happened on kristallnacht?

Kristallnacht - the first violence against Jews in Germany

Who were the Kulaks?

Kulaks were bourgeois peasants, either they were financially successful farmers or opponents of collectivization

What economic problems did Italy face after World War I?

Like many countries, Italy faced unemployment, low wages, inflation, and few opportunities

In 1931, Japan invaded what part of China for its valuable resources?

Manchuria, on eastern China

What was the importance of Mein Kampf?

Mein Kampf was Hitler's book that outlined his vision of a Nazi future. He blamed Jews and communists for Germany's problems.

Describe the costs of the Russian Civil War.

Millions died, famine, decreased production

During the Russian Revolution, who supported the White (Menshevik) army?

Monarchists, nobles, liberals, supporters of the provisional government, and anti-Bolshevik dissidents

What policies did France enact to solve the economic crisis of the Depression?

Nationalized banks, shortened work weeks, initiated public works projects, price fixing,

What happened during the Battle of Britain?

Nazi Germany keep bombing England. They first started with bombing military things but then decided to bomb civilians. Germany wanted to break the will of the English people.

What was the Beer Hall Putsch?

Nazi led attempt to overthrow the Bavarian state government in 1923. Hitler was arrested and imprisoned.

What policies did the United States enact to solve the economic crisis of the Depression?

New Deal programs tried to help banks, farmers, workers, industries, and social programs

Were the Bolsheviks able to create a socialist state? Why or why not?

No, the Bolsheviks were unable to create a socialist state. They were forced to control the people

What factors caused the economic crisis of the Great Depression?

Overproduction, poor policy decision, worldwide economic problems, collapse of the stock market

By July the Allies liberated what city?

Paris

Describe the effects of collectivization on Soviet agriculture.

Peasants violently resisted collectivization, which the Soviet government put down by force and starvation. Collective farms produced less.

Why was appeasement viewed with legitimacy in the West?

People hoped to avoid war since WWI had been so devastating Many thought Germany had been mistreated and had legitimate grievances Hoped to use the nationalists to stop the spread of communism

How did the Great Depression fuel political developments in the 1930's?

People looked to authoritarians to solve the problems.

How would you describe popular culture? What were examples of popular culture?

Popular culture - attitudes and artistic attributes of the common person Media, music, art, dance

What was Eugenics? How was it used by the Nazis?

Pseudo-science that measured a group's abilities based on observable characteristics of evolution

Define Fascism.

Racism with socialism

How would you describe Benito Mussolini?

Right place/right time

In June 1941, the Germans invaded which country?

Russia

By 1944, what was happening on the Eastern Front?

Russian armies were sweeping through eastern Europe liberating countries from German control

Who were the SA? Who were the SS? Who were the Gestapo? What was the Night of the Long Knives?

SA- Nazi paramilitary group - brownshirts - used violence to intimidate people into submission SS - Nazi paramilitary group - black uniforms - elite - enforce racial policies Gestapo - Secret Police - controlled German population with arrest and incarceration Night of the Long Knives - SS purged the SA of powerful Nazi's who might threaten Hitler's control

Where did the war finally emerge?

Scandinavia. Denmark and Norway were conquered, mainly to gain control of important mineral resources and the heavy water facility that would be useful in making a nuclear bomb. The Norwegian leader who worked with the Nazi's was named Quisling. His name become synonymous with being a traitor.

How was Triumph of the Will used as propaganda? Why was The Dictator successful at contrasting the message of Riefenstahl's work?

Showed the Nazi rally in all its grandeur, brought the viewer into the power of the ceremony The Dictator lampooned the Nazi's

Describe Nazi racial beliefs and policies.

Social Darwinism and Eugenics Sterilization and Racial Engineering Anti-Semitism

How did Stalin influence Soviet culture?

Stalin tried to make society more traditional and conservative and killed artistic creativity

When the Germans invaded Russia, what did Stalin want the US England to do?

Stalin wanted the Allies to open a second front that would force the Germans to split their army.

How did Stalin gain complete power in the Soviet Union?

Stalin was able to eliminate other party leaders, including Trotsky and Bukharin (NEP leader)

What were the Five Year Plans and name their successes?

The Five Year Plans set ambitious industrial goals for the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union rapidly modernized and urbanized

Who were the Freikorps? What did they represent?

The Freikorps were right wing nationalists that opposed the anti-provisional government demonstrations and the Weimar government. They used violence in their opposition.

What was the Reichstag?

The German parliament

What happened in December 1944?

The Germans made one last ditch attempt to break the Allied lines in an attack called the battle of the Bulge. The Germans were trying to reach the Dutch ports at Rotterdam and Amsterdam to take the Allied supplies and prevent the advance into Germany

What happened in France? What is Vichy France?

The Germans were able to capture Paris and the French surrendered. The Germans didn't have to occupy all of France. The free part of France collaborated with the Nazi's and came to be called Vichy France. During and after the war, those who had collaborated with the Nazis were hated.

What was the Great Terror? Why would Stalin undertake the Terror?

The Great Terror was Stalin's attempt to purge enemies of the state. The purge included party members, military leaders, intellectuals, and industrial leaders. Over 1 million people were killed and another 1.5 million were imprisoned.

Why did Hitler remove Germany from the League of Nations in 1933?

The League represented the Treaty of Versailles and the humiliation that Germany had faced. The League was a failing entity at protecting weaker nations.

Describe the NEP of the Bolsheviks.

The NEP was the New Economic Policy. It tried to create the socialist state by allowing private property and free enterprise, while the government controlled major industries. It had limited success in restoring rural economies, but failed to adequately supply the urban population.

What was the "Phony War"?

The Phony War occurred in the winter of 1940 after Germany and the Soviets invaded Poland and the Soviets invaded Finland. During the Phony War, there was anxious non-activity in Western Europe.

Despite the heavy defeats, how were the Russians able to continue the fight?

The Russians moved their industrial production the Ural Mountain region. Brutal winters combined with the vast territory they occupied weakened the Germans.

How would you describe the Weimar government? Who supported it?

The Weimar government was a liberal parliamentary democracy- universal suffrage, bill of rights, social entitlements. It's main constituents were socialists, Catholics, and liberals.

Why were the British convoys in Africa so important to the war effort?

The convoys were so important in North Africa due to the fact that those convoys contained a lot of weapons, food and raw materials. Also they were a big help in keeping the Germans from Iran due to the fact that Iran had a major supply of oil.

Why were so many citizens willing to sacrifice their freedoms during the interwar years?

The economic and political disturbances had left people with few options. They were either alienated, impatient, or desperate.

Describe the Weimar Republic's economic situation in the 1920's.

The government has real problems because of the war reparations they owed from the Treaty of Versailles. However, inflation, benefits cuts, and the effects of the Great Depression eroded any credibility the government had to find solutions.

What was the different between a collective and a state farm? How was the collectivization achieved?

The government owned the state farms and paid wages to the farmers that worked it. Collective farms forced peasants to share their land, equipment, and labor. The produce was then taken by the government

Describe Germany's government at the end of the First World War. What was the problem with Germany's provisional government?

The kaiser abdicated and a provisional government took power. The Social Democrats had the most influence, but were forced to violently crush a leftist revolt that killed communist leaders Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht. This left the provisional govt with little authority from people on the left or the right.

Why was Poland so quick to be conquered?

The main reason was because of the switch of tactics that was used to take over Poland, Germany focused on Blitzkrieg tactic and the Polish were not used to fast paced fighting which in turn resulted in the Polish getting conquered in four weeks

Why was the German occupation of the Rhineland significant?

The occupation of Rhineland by the Germans was important because it gave Germany an upper hand against Britain and France. Germany had some of its most important industrial centers there. If left unprotected, France could destroy them. The militarization of the Rhineland showed the rest of Europe that Hitler was not going to follow their rules. It was ultimately a test of waters by Hitler, and showed him that he would be able to get away with his future plans of invading other nations.

What steps did Hitler take in the late 1930s to shift the balance of power in Germany's favor?

The steps Hitler took were he reoccupied the Rhineland, annexed Austria, and invaded, conquered, and annexed what was left of Czechoslovakia after a conference in Munich. Hitler wanted to unite all the Germans under his Reich.

Name one reason that the League of Nations was a failure.

The united states was not involved

Why couldn't the Allies invade Germany in late 1944?

Their supply lines were unstable and unable to support an advance into Germany

What were the negative outcomes of the Five Year Plans?

There was a human toll as political prisoners were used as slave labor. There was an extensive environmental toll as well. The system created structural problems of supply as well

Why was the battle of Stalingrad so important?

There was brutal urban fighting in Stalingrad and when the 1942-1943 winter settled in the German army became isolated. Eventually the German army at Stalingrad was forced to surrender to the Russians. This turned the tide of the war in favor of the Russians.

Why did the Soviet Union and Britain invade Iran?

They invaded Iran because they did not want Germany to gain control of Iran's oil.

Why did many people turn to extremist politics after World War 1?

They were desperate for stability

What happened at the battle of Kursk?

This was a major tank battle that wiped out the German tank divisions

List the 4 accepted causes of World War II.

Treaty of Versailles Failure to create peace and security after WWI -failure of the League of Nations, emptiness of Kellogg-Briand Pact Economic crisis Violent nationalism

Who was Leon Trotsky?

Trotsky was the war commissar for the Bolshevik Red Army. He raised and supplied the Red Army.

Describe the lost generation and how its emotions were captured by artists and intellectuals.

WWI had created a society that lost faith in its institutions

How did war communism affect urban workers and peasants?

War communism destroyed what was left of the Russian economy, there were rural famines and a lack of consumer goods. Urban workers fled to the countryside, went on strike, or protested

What convinced opinions outside of Germany that appeasement was futile?

When others saw that Germany invaded Czechoslavkia, others outside of Germany were convinced that appeasement was futile.

Why was Hitler successful in Czechoslovakia?

When the Czechs put up resistance to the terms of the Munich Accords, Hitler invaded the country and made it part of Germany. He knew the British and French would not do anything to risk war.

Why do you or do you not think when Hitler bombed the city of Rotterdam, that it was a citizen focused bombing? Why or why not?

While the goal of the Rotterdam bombings were political and meant to make the Dutch military surrender, the bombing resulted in devastating fires that destroyed citzen's homes. The aftermath of the bombing left Dutch forces unable to retaliate and forced them to give in to Hitler's commands. It left citizens and the Dutch government vulnerable to further attacks and possible over taking.

Did the Allies open a second front?

Yes, but it was a limited campaign in North Africa, followed by an invasion of Italy. It didn't really relieve the pressure on the Russians.

Did the military target civilians?

Yes, they tried to break the will of civilians to support the war

Do you think Winston Churchill taking office was a major turning point in the war? Why or why not?

Yes. He had good qualities such as experience, courage, communicative skills, and perseverance that helped him motivate the British to keep fighting and not give up.

How were Hollywood movies received in Europe?

very popular