Chapter 7
Chapter Seven - Totalitarianism & WWII
10 Key People
Joseph Stalin:
-1878-1953
-leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s to his death in 1953, his name means steal. Master of political infighting. Maneuvered his way thought the government to the top. known for his purges. 5 year plans were worthless. As a communist leader he intended to create a new society
- a failed communist leader turned fascist, helped in WW2 and the end of his rule lead to the cold war
Mussolini:
- 1983-1922
- hated liberalism and wanted to destroy in Italy. began as a socialist but sought the support of conservatives. As leader of Italy he promised the working class social and land reforms. Goals- territorial expansion, land and peasant reforms, benefits for workers.
- dictator or Italy, joined WWII on the side of the Nazi's which lead to his downfall.
Adolf Hitler:
- 1889-1945
- Chancellor of Germany and leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party. used charisma and propaganda to strive for total anti-Semitism, nationalism, and economic reform. Had an aggressive foreign policy with the goals of expanding Germany. Committed suicide at the end of WWII
- His anti-Semitic and aggressive foreign policies lead to the deaths of millions in the holocaust and in WWII
Winston Churchill:
- 1874-1965
- a British politician, best known as prime minister of UK during WW2. At various times a solider, journalist, author, painter, politician. Was very against his predecessor thought he was a ninny.
- most important leader in British history, won the Nobel peace prize
De Gaulle:
- 1890-1970
- Prior to World War II he was mostly known as a tank tactician and an advocate of the concentrated use of armored and aviation forces. He was the leader of Free France in World War II and head of the provisional government in 1944 - 1946. Called to form a government in 1958.
- inspired a new constitution and was the Fifth Republic's first president
FDR:
-1882-1945
- 32nd president of the Us .longest-serving holder of the office and the only person to be elected President more than twice ( due to WWII)
- lead the U.S. through the Great Depression lead the military alliance that defeated Nazi Germany
Goebbels:
-1897 - 1945
- was Adolf Hitler's Propaganda Minister (see Propaganda minister) in Nazi Germany. Following Hitler's death he served as Chancellor for one day,
- approved the murder of his own six children and committed suicide.
Marcel Duchamp:
-1887 - 1968
- French/American artist whose work and ideas had considerable influence on the development of post-World War II Western art
- most often associated with enhancing the Dada and Surrealism movements
Himmer:
- 1900 - 1945
- commander of the German Schutzstaffel (SS) and one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany. As Reichsführer-SS, he controlled the SS and the Gestapo. He also became a leading organizer of the Holocaust.
- responsible for implementing the industrial scale extermination of between six and twelve million people.
Gustav Stresemann:
-1878-1929
- German politician acted as Chancellor and Foreign Minister in the Weimar Republic
- Received the Nobel Peace Prize for the Locarno Treaties.
Francisco Franco:
10 Key Terms
Totalitarianism :
- Modern totalitarianism started in WWI
- A form of government in which the government controls all aspects of people’s lives.
- This form of government became more prevalent during the inter war years. The government began limiting civil liberties, and the individual was seen as less important then society as a whole. They rejected liberalism, and all forms of deviation and dissent became crimes. Many totalitarian regimes were fascist.
Fascism
• WWI and inter war years (beginning)
• A form of government that stems from extreme nationalism and expansionist ideas (often combined).
• Fascists were anti-socialism, and anti-working class movements. They were extremely nationalistic and these regimes were lead by a violent, but dynamic, man (cult of personality). They had the support of the military and used it to enforce their policies; war and this military were glorified. This type of government stemmed from the upheaval and unrest combined with economic depression in the inter war years. They sought the support of the wealthy landowners and capitalists as well as the peasant class to help them rise to power.
Weimar Republic
• 1919-1933
• Germany republic between the two world wars
• It was established after WWI. They monarchy was overthrown and replaced with the democratic republic. They met in Weimar (a German city), hence the name. They were successful in the beginning. Eventually, the Social democrats lost their credibility because of the economic depression and rising support for the communists and Nazis. After Hitler became Chancellor, he began to basically disassemble the Weimar republic in favor of his fascism. It is considered to have failed in 1933.
Nazi:
- 1933-1945 (end of the wwII)
- ideology held by the National Socialist German Workers Party. Anti-Semitism, for economic reform, for social change. The "brown Shirts" or the SA were the party guard force.
- the Nazi party came to power with Hitler as its leader in the post WWI depression in Germany. It was a prevalent party which help power through WWII and led to the death of thousands.
Kristalnacht:
-November 9, 1938
- known as the night of broken glass. It was a nation wide pogrom in Germany and Austria against the Jewish community. Riots, burnings, huge poverty losses and mass damage to Jewish businesses.
- for shadowed the holocaust and the final solution
Yalta Conference:
- February 4 to 11, 1945
- decreed the allies would assist the liberated countries to establish their own democratically elected governments. Stalin wanted to create a buffer between Russia and western Europe because of fear of invasion.
- The united nations was created throughout this treaty and everyone agreed that Germany must offer unconditional surrender.
D-Day:
- June 6, 1944
- the day on which "Operation Overlord" began - commencing the Western Allied effort to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II. The Normandy invasion
- represented the first major allied offensive, and a turning point in the war against Germany, a brute show of force by the American industrial force
Gestapo:
- organized is 1933 after the Nazi rise to power
- During the Second World War there were 45,000 members of the Gestapo. was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Under the overall administration of the SS, it was administrated by the RSHA.
- used to create terror and fear in Germany and surrounding countries. It was used extremely well as a tool by Hitler during his reign.
Holocaust:
- from the night of broken glass to the end of the war. 1938-1945
- persecution and genocide of the Jews of Europe along with other groups during World War II by Nazi
Germany. includes Death camps, Mass killing and burning of people, terrible treatment and extermination of around 6 million people. Also known as the "final solution".
- Killed millions of people and set the precedent for how to deal wit mass genocide, devastated the Jewish culture, Preceded Israel
Potsdam conference:
- July 17 to August 2, 1945.
- Roosevelt had been replaced by Truman, the relationship of the super powers was deteriorating. Truman told Stalin about the atomic bomb. Everyone was getting nervous about the Soviet union and their demands for mor funding and aid.
- Resulted in the division of Germany and Austria. Allies agreed and war reparations. Issued terms for the Japanese surrender.
5 Multiple Choice Questions
1. Hitler’s hatred of the Jews was no secret, but Hitler also despised the
a. Italians
b. Slavs
c. Anglo Saxon Europeans
d. French
e. press corp that wrote about him
2. Joseph Stalin’s five-year plans were designed to
a. turn Russia into an industrial power
b. spread communism to capitalist nations within five years
c. make Russia the worlds leading agricultural producer
d. put Russian astronauts in orbit before the Americans
e. be twenty five percent more effective than four-year plans
3. The quote, “ Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself,” is the first principle of:
a. atheism
b. post modernism
c. existentialism
d. capitalism
e. hedonism
4. The most significant decision made at the Teheran Conference in 1943 was
a. the invasion of Dieppe
b. the plan for the invasion of Normandy
c. to invade Germany from the North and the South
d. to partition Germany after the war
e. finish paying war reparations to Germany before the War was over
5. The collapse of Communist governments throughout Eastern Europe occurred peacefully in all of the following except:
a. Hungary
b. Romania
c. Czechoslovakia
d. East Germany
e. Havana
6. The term “Phony War” refers to:
a. the French response to the German Advance in 1940
b. the surprising lack of action on the Western Front following the fall of Poland
c. the inability of Britain and France to come to the aid of Poland
d. the American attitude toward the war until the Attack on Pearl Harbor
e. The actions of the Japanese up until the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
5 Possible Essay Questions
1. Discuss and analyze the long term affect of WWII.
2. The Paris Peace Conference at Versailles reflected the diverse and often conflicting motivations of the Victors of WWI (i.e, primarily the United States, France, and Great Britain, among others). Discuss how the Paris Peace Conference fostered subsequent complacency and unintended vulnerability to the rising threat of Fascism during the 1930's.
3. Discuss why Britain and France failed to respond to German provocations int the years leading up to world war Two
4. Assess and analyze how the problems in the WW2 alliance of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union gave rise to the Cold War.
5. Consider the images below, as they attempt to portray aspects of the mood and complexity associated with the Cold War between the United States and their Western European Allies, and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Using these images and other examples from your reading, trace the History of the Cold War from it’s beginnings to it’s thaw.
Essay
Discuss why Britain and France Failed to respond to German Provocations in the years leading up to World War II.
Post world war one was an interesting time period for Europe, there was mas economic crisis following Germany’s failure to have an economy to support the mass war reparations that were to be paid according to the Treaty of Versailles. When the Weimar republic fell in Germany and Hitler’s Nazi Party came into power there was a general sense of discomfort throughout Europe because of his fascist and totalitarian leadership and the methods he used to revive the German economy which was to build an army and take land while promoting unconditional nationalism. During the build up to world war two Britain and France failed to respond to Germany’s aggressive tactics because of bad feelings leaving Versailles and becasues nobody wanted another war so they were willing to appease Hitler.
In 1935 Hitler announced that Germany would begin to rearm in violation of the treaty of Versailles. That the size of the army would be increased Hitler made it clear that Germany would now have an air force and a navy both of which where banned by Versailles. Without consulting France Britain Decided to make and agreement with Germany to keep the German Navy at a ratio of 100:35. Even though that meant the British army would be 2/3 larger it was still against Versailles. Britain Did this because leaving Versailles they had bad feelings towards the French they left Versailles seeing the French as being to harsh and because of this Britain was willing to look the other way.
In 1936 German troops moved into the Rhineland, an area that had been declared a demilitarized zone in the Versailles treaty. The french were very emotional about this and wanted to respond aggressively but refused to do so with out the support of Britain. Britain refused to act so the french merely protested.
In 1938 Hitler, through a combination of political and intimidation tactics absorbed Austria into the “German Reich” This was something that was specifically forbidden in the treaty of Versailles but Britain and France only issued protests once again taking no actions.
In 1938 Germany began to demand the handing over of Sudentenland (part of Czechoslovakia) that contained a numerous amount or Germans. Again France and Britain failed to act.
Why was there such a sense of appeasement in the year leading up to world war II? It was because there was a blatant disregard for the treaty of Versailles and Britain thought it was to hard on Germany. But most importantly Britain and France let Hitler run wilde and tried to appease him because war was still a recent memory. No one had forgotten world war one and the devastating effect on Europe and noone wanted to repeat that so many of the pre WWII leaders felt like it was their duty prevent war at all costs.
- I feel like this is a very difficult time period to access and although my essay may be unorthodox it addresses the question very evenly and the thesis is blatant. The information links together to create a smooth transition of ideas.
10 Key People
Joseph Stalin:
-1878-1953
-leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s to his death in 1953, his name means steal. Master of political infighting. Maneuvered his way thought the government to the top. known for his purges. 5 year plans were worthless. As a communist leader he intended to create a new society
- a failed communist leader turned fascist, helped in WW2 and the end of his rule lead to the cold war
Mussolini:
- 1983-1922
- hated liberalism and wanted to destroy in Italy. began as a socialist but sought the support of conservatives. As leader of Italy he promised the working class social and land reforms. Goals- territorial expansion, land and peasant reforms, benefits for workers.
- dictator or Italy, joined WWII on the side of the Nazi's which lead to his downfall.
Adolf Hitler:
- 1889-1945
- Chancellor of Germany and leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party. used charisma and propaganda to strive for total anti-Semitism, nationalism, and economic reform. Had an aggressive foreign policy with the goals of expanding Germany. Committed suicide at the end of WWII
- His anti-Semitic and aggressive foreign policies lead to the deaths of millions in the holocaust and in WWII
Winston Churchill:
- 1874-1965
- a British politician, best known as prime minister of UK during WW2. At various times a solider, journalist, author, painter, politician. Was very against his predecessor thought he was a ninny.
- most important leader in British history, won the Nobel peace prize
De Gaulle:
- 1890-1970
- Prior to World War II he was mostly known as a tank tactician and an advocate of the concentrated use of armored and aviation forces. He was the leader of Free France in World War II and head of the provisional government in 1944 - 1946. Called to form a government in 1958.
- inspired a new constitution and was the Fifth Republic's first president
FDR:
-1882-1945
- 32nd president of the Us .longest-serving holder of the office and the only person to be elected President more than twice ( due to WWII)
- lead the U.S. through the Great Depression lead the military alliance that defeated Nazi Germany
Goebbels:
-1897 - 1945
- was Adolf Hitler's Propaganda Minister (see Propaganda minister) in Nazi Germany. Following Hitler's death he served as Chancellor for one day,
- approved the murder of his own six children and committed suicide.
Marcel Duchamp:
-1887 - 1968
- French/American artist whose work and ideas had considerable influence on the development of post-World War II Western art
- most often associated with enhancing the Dada and Surrealism movements
Himmer:
- 1900 - 1945
- commander of the German Schutzstaffel (SS) and one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany. As Reichsführer-SS, he controlled the SS and the Gestapo. He also became a leading organizer of the Holocaust.
- responsible for implementing the industrial scale extermination of between six and twelve million people.
Gustav Stresemann:
-1878-1929
- German politician acted as Chancellor and Foreign Minister in the Weimar Republic
- Received the Nobel Peace Prize for the Locarno Treaties.
Francisco Franco:
10 Key Terms
Totalitarianism :
- Modern totalitarianism started in WWI
- A form of government in which the government controls all aspects of people’s lives.
- This form of government became more prevalent during the inter war years. The government began limiting civil liberties, and the individual was seen as less important then society as a whole. They rejected liberalism, and all forms of deviation and dissent became crimes. Many totalitarian regimes were fascist.
Fascism
• WWI and inter war years (beginning)
• A form of government that stems from extreme nationalism and expansionist ideas (often combined).
• Fascists were anti-socialism, and anti-working class movements. They were extremely nationalistic and these regimes were lead by a violent, but dynamic, man (cult of personality). They had the support of the military and used it to enforce their policies; war and this military were glorified. This type of government stemmed from the upheaval and unrest combined with economic depression in the inter war years. They sought the support of the wealthy landowners and capitalists as well as the peasant class to help them rise to power.
Weimar Republic
• 1919-1933
• Germany republic between the two world wars
• It was established after WWI. They monarchy was overthrown and replaced with the democratic republic. They met in Weimar (a German city), hence the name. They were successful in the beginning. Eventually, the Social democrats lost their credibility because of the economic depression and rising support for the communists and Nazis. After Hitler became Chancellor, he began to basically disassemble the Weimar republic in favor of his fascism. It is considered to have failed in 1933.
Nazi:
- 1933-1945 (end of the wwII)
- ideology held by the National Socialist German Workers Party. Anti-Semitism, for economic reform, for social change. The "brown Shirts" or the SA were the party guard force.
- the Nazi party came to power with Hitler as its leader in the post WWI depression in Germany. It was a prevalent party which help power through WWII and led to the death of thousands.
Kristalnacht:
-November 9, 1938
- known as the night of broken glass. It was a nation wide pogrom in Germany and Austria against the Jewish community. Riots, burnings, huge poverty losses and mass damage to Jewish businesses.
- for shadowed the holocaust and the final solution
Yalta Conference:
- February 4 to 11, 1945
- decreed the allies would assist the liberated countries to establish their own democratically elected governments. Stalin wanted to create a buffer between Russia and western Europe because of fear of invasion.
- The united nations was created throughout this treaty and everyone agreed that Germany must offer unconditional surrender.
D-Day:
- June 6, 1944
- the day on which "Operation Overlord" began - commencing the Western Allied effort to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II. The Normandy invasion
- represented the first major allied offensive, and a turning point in the war against Germany, a brute show of force by the American industrial force
Gestapo:
- organized is 1933 after the Nazi rise to power
- During the Second World War there were 45,000 members of the Gestapo. was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Under the overall administration of the SS, it was administrated by the RSHA.
- used to create terror and fear in Germany and surrounding countries. It was used extremely well as a tool by Hitler during his reign.
Holocaust:
- from the night of broken glass to the end of the war. 1938-1945
- persecution and genocide of the Jews of Europe along with other groups during World War II by Nazi
Germany. includes Death camps, Mass killing and burning of people, terrible treatment and extermination of around 6 million people. Also known as the "final solution".
- Killed millions of people and set the precedent for how to deal wit mass genocide, devastated the Jewish culture, Preceded Israel
Potsdam conference:
- July 17 to August 2, 1945.
- Roosevelt had been replaced by Truman, the relationship of the super powers was deteriorating. Truman told Stalin about the atomic bomb. Everyone was getting nervous about the Soviet union and their demands for mor funding and aid.
- Resulted in the division of Germany and Austria. Allies agreed and war reparations. Issued terms for the Japanese surrender.
5 Multiple Choice Questions
1. Hitler’s hatred of the Jews was no secret, but Hitler also despised the
a. Italians
b. Slavs
c. Anglo Saxon Europeans
d. French
e. press corp that wrote about him
2. Joseph Stalin’s five-year plans were designed to
a. turn Russia into an industrial power
b. spread communism to capitalist nations within five years
c. make Russia the worlds leading agricultural producer
d. put Russian astronauts in orbit before the Americans
e. be twenty five percent more effective than four-year plans
3. The quote, “ Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself,” is the first principle of:
a. atheism
b. post modernism
c. existentialism
d. capitalism
e. hedonism
4. The most significant decision made at the Teheran Conference in 1943 was
a. the invasion of Dieppe
b. the plan for the invasion of Normandy
c. to invade Germany from the North and the South
d. to partition Germany after the war
e. finish paying war reparations to Germany before the War was over
5. The collapse of Communist governments throughout Eastern Europe occurred peacefully in all of the following except:
a. Hungary
b. Romania
c. Czechoslovakia
d. East Germany
e. Havana
6. The term “Phony War” refers to:
a. the French response to the German Advance in 1940
b. the surprising lack of action on the Western Front following the fall of Poland
c. the inability of Britain and France to come to the aid of Poland
d. the American attitude toward the war until the Attack on Pearl Harbor
e. The actions of the Japanese up until the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
5 Possible Essay Questions
1. Discuss and analyze the long term affect of WWII.
2. The Paris Peace Conference at Versailles reflected the diverse and often conflicting motivations of the Victors of WWI (i.e, primarily the United States, France, and Great Britain, among others). Discuss how the Paris Peace Conference fostered subsequent complacency and unintended vulnerability to the rising threat of Fascism during the 1930's.
3. Discuss why Britain and France failed to respond to German provocations int the years leading up to world war Two
4. Assess and analyze how the problems in the WW2 alliance of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union gave rise to the Cold War.
5. Consider the images below, as they attempt to portray aspects of the mood and complexity associated with the Cold War between the United States and their Western European Allies, and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Using these images and other examples from your reading, trace the History of the Cold War from it’s beginnings to it’s thaw.
Essay
Discuss why Britain and France Failed to respond to German Provocations in the years leading up to World War II.
Post world war one was an interesting time period for Europe, there was mas economic crisis following Germany’s failure to have an economy to support the mass war reparations that were to be paid according to the Treaty of Versailles. When the Weimar republic fell in Germany and Hitler’s Nazi Party came into power there was a general sense of discomfort throughout Europe because of his fascist and totalitarian leadership and the methods he used to revive the German economy which was to build an army and take land while promoting unconditional nationalism. During the build up to world war two Britain and France failed to respond to Germany’s aggressive tactics because of bad feelings leaving Versailles and becasues nobody wanted another war so they were willing to appease Hitler.
In 1935 Hitler announced that Germany would begin to rearm in violation of the treaty of Versailles. That the size of the army would be increased Hitler made it clear that Germany would now have an air force and a navy both of which where banned by Versailles. Without consulting France Britain Decided to make and agreement with Germany to keep the German Navy at a ratio of 100:35. Even though that meant the British army would be 2/3 larger it was still against Versailles. Britain Did this because leaving Versailles they had bad feelings towards the French they left Versailles seeing the French as being to harsh and because of this Britain was willing to look the other way.
In 1936 German troops moved into the Rhineland, an area that had been declared a demilitarized zone in the Versailles treaty. The french were very emotional about this and wanted to respond aggressively but refused to do so with out the support of Britain. Britain refused to act so the french merely protested.
In 1938 Hitler, through a combination of political and intimidation tactics absorbed Austria into the “German Reich” This was something that was specifically forbidden in the treaty of Versailles but Britain and France only issued protests once again taking no actions.
In 1938 Germany began to demand the handing over of Sudentenland (part of Czechoslovakia) that contained a numerous amount or Germans. Again France and Britain failed to act.
Why was there such a sense of appeasement in the year leading up to world war II? It was because there was a blatant disregard for the treaty of Versailles and Britain thought it was to hard on Germany. But most importantly Britain and France let Hitler run wilde and tried to appease him because war was still a recent memory. No one had forgotten world war one and the devastating effect on Europe and noone wanted to repeat that so many of the pre WWII leaders felt like it was their duty prevent war at all costs.
- I feel like this is a very difficult time period to access and although my essay may be unorthodox it addresses the question very evenly and the thesis is blatant. The information links together to create a smooth transition of ideas.