Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the rise of fascism in Europe and how this helped to bring about the Second World War. They examine key turning points in the conflict, including the Battle of Britain, the siege of Stalingrad, the D-Day landings and the use of atomic weapons in 1945.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain why Britain eventually declared war against Germany in 1939.

Key Notes

• Hitler believed in perpetual struggle: nations that were hard-working would prosper, those that did not would fade away.
• In 1936, Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland, the response emboldened him to acquire more 'living space' for Germany.
• Countries like Britain followed a policy of appeasement with Hitler.
• Hitler annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia, securing Germany's eastern border.
• War broke out in 1939 when Hitler invaded Poland, whom Britain had promised to defend.

Vocabulary To Learn

• colonise: to send people to live in and govern another country
• Reich: meaning 'empire', there had been two German empires previously, so the Nazis described their empire as the 'Third Reich'
• demilitarised: an area in which military forces have been removed
• annexation: taking possession of a piece of land or a country, usually by force or without permission
• appeasement: the act of giving the opposing side in a war an advantage that they have demanded, in order to prevent further disagreement

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• At the time, everyone knew Hitler was a tyrant, so appeasement was clearly wrong.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• 1941-2, a pivotal period of the Second World War Study Guide
• America's entry into the war and the D-Day landings Study Guide
• Blitzkrieg and the Battle of Britain Study Guide
• The last days of the Second World War Study Guide
• The rise of fascism in Europe Study Guide