1. World War I Benchmark D – Post War

2. 1. Identify the changes that took place in each of the following governments after WWI. Germany – Weimar Republic was created as a democratic government that was very weak, providing easy access to a takeover by an ambitious individual. Russia – Once in power the Bolsheviks built a totalitarian state. The Communist party controlled all aspects of life. Many European countries feared the spread of the Soviet Union. Italy – Benito Mussolini took over in 1922 and established a Fascist state.

3. 2. Describe the similarities between Benito Mussolini’s and Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Italy and Germany. Both had a private army to enforce their will and use violence against their enemies: Hitler-Brown Shirts, Mussolini-Black Shirts Both took over all aspects of social, political and economic life in their countries.

4. 3. In Hitler’s book Mein Kampf ( MY STRUGGLE ) he identified his main ideas, list those ideas for the following categories: Democracy- Blamed the Weimar Republic for Germany’s humiliation. Aryan Race – Believed Germans were the Superior Race and should rule the world. Wanted to wipe out Slavic people. Anti-Semitism – Hated Jewish people and blamed them for causing Germany’s defeat in the war. Extreme Militarism – Used violence to defeat political opponents and glorified using force in foreign relations. Believed war was a glorious experience.

5. Hitler’s Rise to Power

6. 4. Hind sight is 20-20, we now know that Hitler was a very bad man, in your opinion how was he able to convince so many people that he was right? (At least 3 good sentences) Beat up or eliminated political opponents clearing the way for him to dominate and intimidate anyone who dared to cross him. 1/3 of Germany’s workforce was unemployed and looking for anything that brought hope Very impressive rallies that told the people what they wanted to hear and struck back at the thought that Germany was the blame for all of the evils of the world.

7. 5. Identify some of the problems the League of Nations had after WWI. It had no armed force to enforce its resolutions. The United States refused to be involved Russia (the Soviet Union) was barred from its membership. The League failed to stop invasions by Italy and Japan and did nothing to help the Spanish Civil War which severely hurt its credibility.

8. 6. What is appeasement, give at least two examples of how Britain and France appeased Hitler and explain why you feel they did this. Appeasement is the strategy of giving into the demands of a hostile nation in hopes of avoiding war. France and Britain did not confront Hitler when he armed the Rhineland in 1936 or annexed Austria in 1938. When Hitler demanded part of Czechoslovakia they threatened to go to war but gave him half of the country at the Munich Conference in 1938. Britain and France wanted to avoid war at all costs!

9. 7. Identify 2 developments related to World War 1 that contributed to the onset of World War II and explain how these events specifically led to the Second World War. Legacy of WWI – Many people wanted to avoid war leading to appeasement. Treaty of Versailles – Very tough on Germany and Hitler used this to inspire and fire up the German people. Instability of New Governments – Fragile democracies were created in Central Europe and a revolutionary communist government in Russia. This led to weaker governments once again looking for protection from allies. Rise of Dictatorships – Dictators brought militarism and intense violence and created a forced nationalism, many times to avoid being detained or killed. Failure of the League of Nations – Not respected or even recognized by most nations and unable to enforce any of its resolutions. Failure of Appeasement – Great Britain and France in an effort to avoid war gave in to Hitler way too much.