Chapter 15 Between The Wars & Dictators

The German people wanted Hitler to save them from bad economic times. This is evident from the fact that Hitler's rise to power in Germany was largely fueled by the economic turmoil and high unemployment rates following World War I. Hitler promised to revive the economy and provide jobs for the people, which resonated with the struggling population. Therefore, it can be inferred that the German people saw Hitler as a potential savior from their economic hardships.

Due to the poor economic conditions and weak governments in Europe, radical elements such as communists and socialists began affecting politics in the 1920s and 1930s. These groups capitalized on the discontent and disillusionment of the people, offering alternative ideologies and promising solutions to the economic and social problems of the time. Their influence grew as they gained support from the working class and marginalized groups who were seeking change and a more equitable society. The rise of these radical elements ultimately had a significant impact on the political landscape of Europe during this period.

During the Nazi regime, anyone who opposed or resisted the regime's ideology and actions were seen as a threat. To suppress any opposition, the Nazis established concentration camps where these individuals were sent. These camps were used to imprison, torture, and ultimately exterminate millions of people, including political dissidents, Jews, homosexuals, disabled individuals, and other minority groups. The concentration camps were a tool of repression and served as a means for the Nazis to exert control and eliminate those who stood against their regime.

During the time period mentioned, Spain was facing the threat of communism spreading within the country. Landowners, who were likely wealthy and had a lot to lose, saw General Franco as their savior who could protect their interests and prevent the rise of communism. Franco, as a dictator, implemented policies to suppress communism and maintain control over the country. Therefore, the landowners looked to him for protection against the spread of communism.

A totalitarian state is a government that aims to control all aspects of its citizens' lives, including political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural aspects. In a totalitarian regime, the government exercises complete authority and seeks to eliminate any form of opposition or dissent. This type of state often employs extensive surveillance, censorship, and propaganda to maintain its control over the population. The goal is to establish a centralized power structure where the government has absolute control and individuals have limited freedoms and rights.

In the lead up to World War II, Germany invaded Czechoslovakia. This invasion was a significant event that occurred before the outbreak of the war. Germany's aggressive actions in Czechoslovakia demonstrated their expansionist ambitions and disregard for international agreements, ultimately leading to the escalation of tensions and the start of the war.

The SS (secret police) had two main principles, ideology and terror. This suggests that terror was a fundamental aspect of the SS's operations and tactics. It implies that they used fear and intimidation to maintain control and enforce their ideology. This aligns with historical knowledge of the SS's role in Nazi Germany, where they were known for their brutal methods and ruthless suppression of opposition.

During General Franco's rule in Spain, businessmen saw him as a savior against the spread of communism. Franco's regime was known for its strong anti-communist stance and suppression of left-wing ideologies. Businessmen, fearing the potential economic and political implications of communism, looked to Franco to protect their interests and maintain a capitalist system in the country. This made the option "the spread of communism" the most logical choice as the situation described aligns with Franco's anti-communist policies.

Dictatorial regimes took control of Germany, Italy, and Spain largely due to the fear of the spread of communism. After World War I, these countries were facing economic instability and political unrest, which created a fertile ground for the rise of dictators. The fear of communism, which promised equality and social change, was used by these dictators to gain support and consolidate their power. They portrayed themselves as strong leaders who would protect their countries from the perceived threat of communism, and this fearmongering tactic allowed them to suppress opposition, establish authoritarian regimes, and control their respective nations.

Francisco Franco led the Spanish military in a revolt against the elected government that was composed of mostly communists and socialists. He was a Spanish general and dictator who ruled Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975. Franco's forces, known as the Nationalists, fought against the Republican government during the Spanish Civil War, which lasted from 1936 to 1939. Franco's victory in the war established him as the leader of Spain and he went on to establish a fascist dictatorship.

Hitler's theory on why Germany needed more territory was called Lebensraum. This term refers to the belief that Germany needed to acquire more living space in order to accommodate its growing population and establish a dominant position in Europe. Hitler believed that by expanding into Eastern Europe, Germany would gain access to resources and secure its economic and political power. This concept played a significant role in Hitler's aggressive foreign policy and ultimately led to the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II.

Mussolini's regime was able to gain support from landowners, businessmen, and the Catholic Church. Landowners and businessmen saw the regime as a means to protect their economic interests and maintain stability. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, saw Mussolini as a defender of traditional values and a bulwark against the spread of communism. These groups believed that aligning with Mussolini would help safeguard their interests and protect them from potential threats.

The Nazis believed that women were meant to be wives and mothers. This aligns with their ideology of promoting traditional gender roles, where women were expected to focus on their domestic duties and raising children. The Nazis believed that women should prioritize their roles within the family unit rather than pursuing careers or participating in public life. This belief was reinforced through propaganda and policies that restricted women's access to education and employment opportunities.

Mein Kampf is the correct answer because it is a book written by Adolf Hitler during his imprisonment in 1924. The book outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany, including his anti-Semitic beliefs and his desire for territorial expansion. Mein Kampf became a manifesto for the Nazi Party and played a significant role in shaping Hitler's rise to power and the ideology of the Third Reich. The other options, such as the Communist Manifesto, poetry, and Das Kapital, are not written by Hitler and are unrelated to his beliefs and actions.

In the lead up to World War II, Japan invaded Manchuria, which was a part of China. This invasion took place in 1931 and was the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansionist policies in East Asia. The invasion of Manchuria allowed Japan to gain control over important resources and establish a puppet state called Manchukuo. This act of aggression by Japan was a significant factor in the escalation of tensions that eventually led to the outbreak of World War II.

Hitler's goal was to create the Third Reich, or German Empire. The term "Third Reich" was used to refer to Nazi Germany under Hitler's rule, with the first two "Reichs" being the Holy Roman Empire and the German Empire of 1871. Hitler aimed to establish a totalitarian state that would dominate Europe and promote Aryan supremacy. The Third Reich is synonymous with Hitler's regime and the atrocities committed during World War II.

In the lead up to World War II, Italy invaded Ethiopia. This invasion took place in 1935-1936 and was led by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. The invasion was part of Mussolini's plan to create an Italian empire in Africa. Italy's invasion of Ethiopia was met with international condemnation, but ultimately the Ethiopian forces were unable to resist the superior Italian military. This invasion played a significant role in the build-up to World War II and demonstrated Italy's aggressive expansionist ambitions.

Hitler gained support from landowners, businessmen, and military officers due to the fear of the spread of communism. This fear was prevalent during that time, as communism threatened the existing social and economic order. Hitler capitalized on this fear by presenting himself as a strong leader who would protect Germany from the perceived threat of communism. By aligning himself with the concerns of these influential groups, Hitler was able to garner their support and ultimately rise to power.

Hitler believed in the concept of Aryan supremacy, which propagated the idea that the Aryan race was superior to all others. He aimed to develop a racially superior nation by incorporating people who were considered to be of Aryan descent. This ideology led to the persecution and extermination of millions of Jews, as they were seen as a threat to the Aryan race. Therefore, the correct answer is Aryans.

In a totalitarian state, the government has complete control over the people and suppresses any opposition. This means that individuals have limited or no freedom to express their opinions or make choices independently. The government exercises authority over all aspects of society, including political, social, and economic matters. The goal of a totalitarian regime is to maintain absolute power and control over its citizens, often through tactics such as censorship, propaganda, and surveillance.

President Wilson believed that the United States had fought in the war to make the world safe for democracy. This aligns with his ideology and his desire to promote democratic values globally. Wilson saw World War I as an opportunity to spread democracy and ensure that nations were governed by the will of the people. He advocated for the establishment of the League of Nations, which aimed to prevent future conflicts and promote collective security among nations. By making the world safe for democracy, Wilson believed that future wars could be avoided and a more peaceful world could be achieved.

After Lenin's death, a power struggle ensued in the Soviet Union. While Trotsky was initially seen as a potential successor, he was eventually outmaneuvered by Stalin. Stalin emerged as the leader of the Soviet Union and implemented policies that led to the industrialization and collectivization of the country. He consolidated his power through purges and established a totalitarian regime, making him one of the most influential leaders in Soviet history.

During the time period mentioned, Spain was facing the threat of communism spreading within the country. The Catholic Church, being a powerful institution, saw this as a major threat to their influence and sought help from General Franco, who was known for his anti-communist stance. The Church believed that Franco's leadership and policies would help protect them from the spread of communism and preserve their power and influence in Spain.

The correct answer is "a group of loyalists who secretly find people who oppose the leader and get rid of them." This answer accurately describes the role and purpose of secret police. Secret police are typically a covert organization that operates under the authority of a government or leader, tasked with identifying and eliminating individuals who are seen as threats or opposition to the regime. They often employ surveillance, interrogation, and other covert tactics to carry out their objectives.

The favorite saying "Workers of the World Unite" is closely associated with communism. This phrase is a rallying cry for the working class to unite and overthrow the capitalist system. Communists believe in the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless society where the means of production are owned and controlled by the workers. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that the correct answer is communists.

The given answer states that Stalin killed peasants and opposition leaders, with estimates ranging from 8 to 26 million. This explanation suggests that Stalin was responsible for the deaths of a significant number of people, both peasants and opposition leaders. The range of estimates indicates the uncertainty surrounding the exact number of casualties.

Landowners, businessmen, and Church officials favored fascism due to the fear of communism. Fascism was seen as a way to protect their interests and maintain social order. They believed that fascism would prevent the redistribution of wealth and property that communism advocated for. Additionally, fascism promised stability and protection against the perceived threat of a communist revolution. The fear of communism drove these groups to support and align themselves with fascist regimes, as they saw it as a means to safeguard their power and privileges.

Mussolini's paramilitary group was known as the Blackshirts. This group was formed in Italy in the early 1920s and played a significant role in supporting Mussolini's rise to power. The Blackshirts were known for their violent tactics and intimidation of political opponents. They were instrumental in suppressing opposition and enforcing fascist control in Italy during Mussolini's rule.

The correct answer is Brownshirts. The Brownshirts, also known as the Sturmabteilung (SA), were Adolf Hitler's paramilitary group in Nazi Germany. They played a significant role in the rise of the Nazi Party and were responsible for enforcing Nazi policies through intimidation and violence. The Brownshirts were known for their brown uniforms and their loyalty to Hitler.

The correct answer is "Führer." This term was used by Germans to refer to Adolf Hitler during his time as the leader of Nazi Germany. "Führer" translates to "leader" in English and was a title that Hitler adopted for himself, emphasizing his position as the supreme leader of the Nazi Party and the German nation.

Before Hitler and the Nazis took over, people looked to them as potential leaders of Germany because they feared a communist revolution by the lower class. This fear stemmed from the social and economic unrest in Germany at the time, with many people feeling disillusioned and marginalized. Hitler and the Nazis capitalized on this fear, presenting themselves as the solution to protect the interests of the middle and upper classes against a potential communist uprising.

Karl Marx developed the ideology known as communism. Communism is a socio-economic system where all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. Marx believed that capitalism, the system where private individuals own and control the means of production, leads to exploitation and inequality. He advocated for a classless society where the means of production are collectively owned and controlled by the workers.

The political group that wanted to abolish all private property is the communists. Communism is an ideology that advocates for the collective ownership of all means of production and the abolition of private property. This means that in a communist society, all resources and property would be owned and controlled by the community as a whole, rather than by individuals or private entities.

During the Spanish Civil War, General Francisco Franco led a military coup against the democratically elected government. Germany and Italy, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini respectively, provided significant military and financial support to Franco's regime. This support included sending troops, weapons, and supplies to aid Franco's forces. The United States and Britain, on the other hand, followed a policy of non-intervention and did not actively support Franco's regime. France and Britain, although they did not support Franco, also did not actively oppose him. Stalin and the Communists, while they did support the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War, did not support Franco's military regime.

Benito Mussolini gained the support of the Catholic Church by providing them with financial support and official recognition. Additionally, the Catholics were fearful of the rise of Communism, which made them more inclined to support Mussolini as a means of protection.

Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, refers to a series of coordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on November 9-10, 1938. It involved the destruction of Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues, homes, and the arrest and imprisonment of thousands of Jewish individuals. The attacks were led by the Nazi Party and its paramilitary organization, the SA, and marked a significant escalation in the persecution of Jews in Germany, foreshadowing the Holocaust.

Mussolini's nickname was "il Duce." This term, which means "the leader" in Italian, was used to refer to Benito Mussolini during his time as the Prime Minister of Italy. He was known for his authoritarian rule and fascist ideology, and the title of "il Duce" reflected his position as the leader of the fascist regime in Italy.