Chapter 26 Section 1 Quiz: World War II Begins

Explanation
Hitler's plan to gain land included expanding to the East, which meant that Nazi Germany needed to prepare for war with the Soviet Union (also known as USSR). The Soviet Union was a major power in Eastern Europe and had a vast territory that Hitler saw as crucial for his territorial ambitions. By invading the Soviet Union, Hitler aimed to secure resources, eliminate a potential threat, and establish German dominance in the region. The answer options "Soviet Union" and "USSR" both refer to the same country and are therefore correct.

Explanation
The Rhineland was a region in Germany that became a demilitarized zone as a result of the Treaty of Versailles. This means that Germany was not allowed to station any military forces or fortifications in this area. The purpose of demilitarizing the Rhineland was to create a buffer zone between Germany and its neighboring countries, as a measure to prevent any future aggression or conflicts. This decision was made by the Allies after World War I to limit Germany's military capabilities and maintain peace in the region.

Explanation
France refused to use force to defend the Rhineland without the support of Great Britain. This suggests that France was hesitant to take military action without the backing of another major power. Great Britain's support would have provided France with the necessary strength and legitimacy to intervene in the situation. Without it, France likely felt that it would not be able to effectively defend the Rhineland and therefore chose not to use force.

Explanation
In October of 1935, Fascist Italy invaded Ethiopia. This invasion was part of Italy's imperialistic ambitions and desire to expand its territory. Ethiopia, at the time, was one of the few remaining independent African nations and Mussolini saw it as an opportunity to establish Italian dominance in East Africa. The invasion was met with resistance from the Ethiopian forces, but ultimately Italy's superior military power and the use of modern weapons allowed them to conquer Ethiopia. This invasion was a significant event in the lead up to World War II and highlighted the aggression and expansionist policies of Fascist Italy.

Explanation
Hitler found an ally in Mussolini, the fascist leader of Italy. Benito Mussolini was the founder of Italian Fascism and served as Prime Minister from 1922 until his ousting in 1943. He shared similar ideologies with Hitler, such as nationalism, authoritarianism, and anti-communism. Mussolini's alliance with Hitler, known as the Rome-Berlin Axis, was based on their mutual desire for territorial expansion and the establishment of authoritarian regimes in Europe. Together, they formed the Axis powers during World War II and collaborated in their aggressive foreign policies.

Explanation
Germany and Italy sent troops to Spain in 1936 to help Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War.

Explanation
Great Britain's policy towards Hitler was appeasement. This policy was based on the belief that if European states satisfied the reasonable demands of the dissatisfied powers, such as Germany under Hitler, they would be content. The hope was that by giving in to these demands, stability and peace could be achieved. This policy was pursued by British leaders, such as Neville Chamberlain, in the years leading up to World War II. However, it ultimately proved to be unsuccessful as Hitler's aggression continued and led to the outbreak of war.

Explanation
In 1938, Hitler aimed to achieve "Anschluss," which refers to the union or annexation of Austria. This was one of his goals to expand German territory and create a greater German empire. Hitler sought to unite Austria with Germany to strengthen his power and further his nationalist agenda. The term "Anschluss" specifically denotes this political objective pursued by Hitler during that time.

Explanation
Hitler's demand that Germany be given the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia led to a global crisis because it was seen as a violation of Czechoslovakia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Sudetenland was a region in Czechoslovakia with a large German-speaking population, and Hitler used this as a pretext to justify his expansionist ambitions. This demand heightened tensions in Europe and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

Explanation
After the Munich Conference, Neville Chamberlain proudly proclaimed that the agreement achieved "peace for our time." This statement suggests that Chamberlain believed the agreement would bring a lasting period of peace and stability. However, history later proved this declaration to be overly optimistic, as the Munich Agreement ultimately failed to prevent World War II.

Explanation
Hitler's invasion of Poland was the last straw that led to Great Britain and France declaring war on Germany. This invasion, which occurred in September 1939, violated international agreements and demonstrated Hitler's aggressive expansionist agenda. It was seen as a direct threat to the security and sovereignty of Poland, as well as a clear violation of the principles of international law. The invasion of Poland marked the beginning of World War II and triggered a chain of events that ultimately led to the involvement of numerous countries in the conflict.

Explanation
The correct answer is the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact. This agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union was a surprise to the world because it went against the previous hostility and ideological differences between the two countries. The pact allowed Hitler to avoid a two-front war and gave him the opportunity to focus on his plans for expansion in Europe. It also provided the Soviet Union with a buffer zone and time to prepare for a potential conflict with Germany. This pact ultimately set the stage for the outbreak of World War II.

Explanation
The Mukden Incident refers to the event where Japan used the "Mukden Incident" as a pretext to invade Manchuria. However, it was later revealed that the incident was actually orchestrated by Japanese soldiers who disguised themselves as Chinese. This incident allowed Japan to justify their invasion and gain control over Manchuria.

Explanation
Chiang Kai-Shek tried to avoid war with Japan and instead focus on the Communist threat because he believed that the Communist ideology posed a greater danger to his government and the stability of China. He saw Japan as a temporary threat that could be dealt with later, while the Communist Party under Mao Zedong was gaining strength and support. Chiang Kai-Shek believed that by prioritizing the fight against communism, he could unite the Chinese people and strengthen his own position of power.

Explanation
The correct answer is "sanctions." In this context, "sanctions" refer to economic restrictions that the United States threatened to impose on Japan in order to enforce international law. Sanctions are commonly used as a diplomatic tool to put pressure on a country and encourage it to change its behavior or comply with certain regulations.