Anschluss
The word Anschluss means union or annexation. Nazi Germans were a part of the Austrian government, and when the Austrian leader met with Hitler to talk about union with Germany, he was pressured into letting more Nazi politicians into his Cabinet. He called for a notional vote on whether or not Austria should annex with Germany. The result was a score of 99.7% of Austrian population to agree with his Anschluss with Austria. The results are not definitely accurate because the poll might have been rigged.
Hitler, on March 12, 1938, annexed Austria. He took over Austria without using violence because Austria wanted a union with Germany. Because Germany had so many forces within Austria (German troops were even set up in Germany), the citizens actually cheered his invasion. Austria just became a nameless part of Germany. Immediately, Nazi forces began persecuting political leaders who were opposed to how the Nazis and Hitler ruled Germany. This is what started Germany’s invasion of Europe.
The word Anschluss means union or annexation. Nazi Germans were a part of the Austrian government, and when the Austrian leader met with Hitler to talk about union with Germany, he was pressured into letting more Nazi politicians into his Cabinet. He called for a notional vote on whether or not Austria should annex with Germany. The result was a score of 99.7% of Austrian population to agree with his Anschluss with Austria. The results are not definitely accurate because the poll might have been rigged.
Hitler, on March 12, 1938, annexed Austria. He took over Austria without using violence because Austria wanted a union with Germany. Because Germany had so many forces within Austria (German troops were even set up in Germany), the citizens actually cheered his invasion. Austria just became a nameless part of Germany. Immediately, Nazi forces began persecuting political leaders who were opposed to how the Nazis and Hitler ruled Germany. This is what started Germany’s invasion of Europe.
Blitzkrieg
The Blitzkrieg is a German word meaning lightning war. It was first used by the Germans in WWII. It was a tactic based on speed, surprise, and military force using light tank units, planes, and foot soldiers. The tactic was developed by Hans Guderian, a German army officer. It was brought to the war when he wrote a military pamphlet called “Archtang Panzer,” which soon got in to the hands of Hitler. It was used to a devastating effect in the war’s first years. This tactic was the reason for the demise of the British and French armies by pushing them back to the beaches of Dunkirk. It also resulted in the devastation of the Russian army during the invasion of June, 1941.
Blitzkrieg was a useful tactic based on speed, coordination, and movement. It was designed to inflict devastating blows to the opposing armies. Its other purpose was to cause havoc among the citizens of the country they were taking over. This would limit the speed of the armies because the moving population would take use of roads they needed to get to the battlefront. Confusion and rumors were to paralyze the governments and their armies.
The Blitzkrieg is a German word meaning lightning war. It was first used by the Germans in WWII. It was a tactic based on speed, surprise, and military force using light tank units, planes, and foot soldiers. The tactic was developed by Hans Guderian, a German army officer. It was brought to the war when he wrote a military pamphlet called “Archtang Panzer,” which soon got in to the hands of Hitler. It was used to a devastating effect in the war’s first years. This tactic was the reason for the demise of the British and French armies by pushing them back to the beaches of Dunkirk. It also resulted in the devastation of the Russian army during the invasion of June, 1941.
Blitzkrieg was a useful tactic based on speed, coordination, and movement. It was designed to inflict devastating blows to the opposing armies. Its other purpose was to cause havoc among the citizens of the country they were taking over. This would limit the speed of the armies because the moving population would take use of roads they needed to get to the battlefront. Confusion and rumors were to paralyze the governments and their armies.
Concentration Camps
When Germany first set up concentration camps, they were for people that were thought to be political enemies. They were there, also, as a warning to the German people. In 1939, Germany had but six camps. That quickly grew to twenty-two. Concentration camps were not only for Jews. Most early concentration camps were filled with Communists.
From 1933 to 1945, 7.5 million innocent people were killed as a result of the German concentration camps. Large numbers of people were killed using gas chambers. Many were taken to have deadly tests performed on them by German doctors. The largest concentration camp was in Auschwitz, Poland.
Einsatzgruppen
The Einsatzgruppen or "task forces" were types of death squads that were part of the German SS. The Einsatzgruppen killed Jews, handicapped people, political figures, etc. They also operated behind German lines and they kept a record of all massacres and killings. In the early days of the Einsatzgruppen, victims would be shot similarly to an execution. Eventually Heinrich Himmler began to worry about the psychological affects that the killing execution style had on the Einsatzgruppen. So he demanded a new way be found. As a response to his concerns, new kinds gassing units were developed. They were in essence, trucks with a gas chamber mounted on it and it utilized the carbon monoxide from the truck exhaust. These vans were first set into use in 1941 and were fairly common.
The Einsatzgruppen were formed in 1939 and was completely under the control of the German SS. They were formed by Reinhardt Hydrich and it was composed of mainly Waffen-SS, Ordnungspolizei( German police Units), and the kriminalpolizei. They were founded to carry out their goals in Czechoslovakia, although they weren't really a lasting group as they were disbanded and yet again called upon later on. The Einsatzgruppen's goal was to carry out the Final Solution which meant murdering Jews, Romany, and suspected communists.
The Einsatzgruppen or "task forces" were types of death squads that were part of the German SS. The Einsatzgruppen killed Jews, handicapped people, political figures, etc. They also operated behind German lines and they kept a record of all massacres and killings. In the early days of the Einsatzgruppen, victims would be shot similarly to an execution. Eventually Heinrich Himmler began to worry about the psychological affects that the killing execution style had on the Einsatzgruppen. So he demanded a new way be found. As a response to his concerns, new kinds gassing units were developed. They were in essence, trucks with a gas chamber mounted on it and it utilized the carbon monoxide from the truck exhaust. These vans were first set into use in 1941 and were fairly common.
The Einsatzgruppen were formed in 1939 and was completely under the control of the German SS. They were formed by Reinhardt Hydrich and it was composed of mainly Waffen-SS, Ordnungspolizei( German police Units), and the kriminalpolizei. They were founded to carry out their goals in Czechoslovakia, although they weren't really a lasting group as they were disbanded and yet again called upon later on. The Einsatzgruppen's goal was to carry out the Final Solution which meant murdering Jews, Romany, and suspected communists.
Fascism
Fascism is a way of organizing a society in which a government is ruled by a dictator. This dictator controls the lives of the people who are not allowed to disagree with the government. This form is very harsh control or authority. You can not disagree with the government in any way because they control your life.
Fascism was the governing ideology of Germany and Italy. It was fascist thinking that led both countries to believe that they were right to start the war and that they could win it. A central tenet of Fascism was that they were superior to all other peoples. This sense of innate superiority made it impossible for the German and Italian leaders to accept, or even imagine, that they could lose the war. Thus they kept on fighting long after there was even the slightest hope of even a conditional surrender permitting the survival of their governments. They fought to the very end instead of seeking a negotiated peace much earlier on. This resulted in terrible destruction and devastation of their countries.
Fascism is a way of organizing a society in which a government is ruled by a dictator. This dictator controls the lives of the people who are not allowed to disagree with the government. This form is very harsh control or authority. You can not disagree with the government in any way because they control your life.
Fascism was the governing ideology of Germany and Italy. It was fascist thinking that led both countries to believe that they were right to start the war and that they could win it. A central tenet of Fascism was that they were superior to all other peoples. This sense of innate superiority made it impossible for the German and Italian leaders to accept, or even imagine, that they could lose the war. Thus they kept on fighting long after there was even the slightest hope of even a conditional surrender permitting the survival of their governments. They fought to the very end instead of seeking a negotiated peace much earlier on. This resulted in terrible destruction and devastation of their countries.
Gestapo
Gestapo was the secret police force of Nazi Germany. The name is a short form of Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police). Nazi Party officials first used the Gestapo, noted for its brutality, to smash opposition in the party. Created in 1933, it eventually combined with Germany’s regular police force in 1936. Heinrich Himmler became head of the organization. During World War Two, the Gestapo helped control conquered areas of Europe. In 1936, it also merged with Kriminalpolizei, also known as Kripo for German criminal police.
Gestapo was the secret police force of Nazi Germany. The name is a short form of Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police). Nazi Party officials first used the Gestapo, noted for its brutality, to smash opposition in the party. Created in 1933, it eventually combined with Germany’s regular police force in 1936. Heinrich Himmler became head of the organization. During World War Two, the Gestapo helped control conquered areas of Europe. In 1936, it also merged with Kriminalpolizei, also known as Kripo for German criminal police.
Lebensraum
Lebensraum is territory believed, particularly by the Nazis, to be necessary for national extension or economic self-sufficiency. This was one of Hitler's major political ideals. Hitler wanted to expand Germany but he needed space to do so. As a result of that conclusion, for his people to expand all over the world, he had to invade other countries towards the east of Germany.
Polish, Russian and other Slavic populations, who Hitler viewed as inferior, were then to be exterminated through starvation and replaced by the German upper class. The practical implementation of the lebensraum concept started in 1939 with Germany's occupation of Poland. This also led to the launching of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. Some also see Hitler's idea of lebensraum as part of a larger ideal of his for world domination.
Lebensraum is territory believed, particularly by the Nazis, to be necessary for national extension or economic self-sufficiency. This was one of Hitler's major political ideals. Hitler wanted to expand Germany but he needed space to do so. As a result of that conclusion, for his people to expand all over the world, he had to invade other countries towards the east of Germany.
Polish, Russian and other Slavic populations, who Hitler viewed as inferior, were then to be exterminated through starvation and replaced by the German upper class. The practical implementation of the lebensraum concept started in 1939 with Germany's occupation of Poland. This also led to the launching of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. Some also see Hitler's idea of lebensraum as part of a larger ideal of his for world domination.
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe has been the name of the German Air Force since the formation of it in 1935. The word means air weapon. Reich Marshal Hermann Goering commanded the Luftwaffe in World War II. He succeeded in making its status equal to the Army and the Navy. The Luftwaffe effectively supported ground troops in Poland, Norway, France, Crete, and also in the Soviet Union. However, even with the assistance of the Luftwaffe, German forces failed to win the Battle of Britain.
Later, in the same year of the Luftwaffe’s defeat, Hitler ordered an invasion of the USSR, which after initial triumphs ended in utter disaster due to inadequate German preparation for the winter weather. Due to this, by the time of D-Day in 1944, it was a mere skeleton of itself. This of course led to its demise in 1945, when the war was over.
Luftwaffe has been the name of the German Air Force since the formation of it in 1935. The word means air weapon. Reich Marshal Hermann Goering commanded the Luftwaffe in World War II. He succeeded in making its status equal to the Army and the Navy. The Luftwaffe effectively supported ground troops in Poland, Norway, France, Crete, and also in the Soviet Union. However, even with the assistance of the Luftwaffe, German forces failed to win the Battle of Britain.
Later, in the same year of the Luftwaffe’s defeat, Hitler ordered an invasion of the USSR, which after initial triumphs ended in utter disaster due to inadequate German preparation for the winter weather. Due to this, by the time of D-Day in 1944, it was a mere skeleton of itself. This of course led to its demise in 1945, when the war was over.
Nazism
Nazism is the body of political and economic doctrines held and put into effect by the Nazis in Germany from 1933 to 1945 (the third Reich) including the totalitarian principle of government, predominance of especially Germanic groups assumed to be racially superior, and supremacy of the Führer. As Germany prepared for and carried out World War II, it implemented a variety of forms of propaganda. This was necessary for several reasons, but primarily to serve two main Nazi agendas. It was important to convince the public to fight and that it was necessary to fight. Germany had just recently gone through a power struggle establishing the Nazi Party as superior over the socialists, but it still lacked enough political support to go to war.
The main body of German propaganda consisted of material increasing or fueling the wartime effort. Also, Hitler and many of the higher Nazi leaders harbored racism and wished to begin the extermination of races they deemed inferior. Although there was some discontent between the German Jews and other Germans already, it was still necessary to convince the German population that action was necessary against them. This anti-Semitic material formed the second main body of German propaganda. German wartime propaganda utilized a variety of forms in its delivery. Much other visual and printed material, such as books and leaflets, was only circulated to specific groups, such as Nazi party members or soldiers. However, almost all the propaganda was spread through a variety of media.
Nazism is the body of political and economic doctrines held and put into effect by the Nazis in Germany from 1933 to 1945 (the third Reich) including the totalitarian principle of government, predominance of especially Germanic groups assumed to be racially superior, and supremacy of the Führer. As Germany prepared for and carried out World War II, it implemented a variety of forms of propaganda. This was necessary for several reasons, but primarily to serve two main Nazi agendas. It was important to convince the public to fight and that it was necessary to fight. Germany had just recently gone through a power struggle establishing the Nazi Party as superior over the socialists, but it still lacked enough political support to go to war.
The main body of German propaganda consisted of material increasing or fueling the wartime effort. Also, Hitler and many of the higher Nazi leaders harbored racism and wished to begin the extermination of races they deemed inferior. Although there was some discontent between the German Jews and other Germans already, it was still necessary to convince the German population that action was necessary against them. This anti-Semitic material formed the second main body of German propaganda. German wartime propaganda utilized a variety of forms in its delivery. Much other visual and printed material, such as books and leaflets, was only circulated to specific groups, such as Nazi party members or soldiers. However, almost all the propaganda was spread through a variety of media.
Propaganda
Propaganda is communication designed to influence people's thinking and actions. A television commercial or poster urging people to vote for a political candidate is most likely propaganda. For propaganda to be successful, it has to appeal to its audience. To do this, it has to be simple and easy to remember, and it has to use illustrations, words, and symbols to catch people's eyes. Propaganda also uses exaggeration, lies, and twisting of facts, but the government controls the censorship. Businesses, governments, and organizations use propaganda.
In 1953, the U.S. government created the United States Information Agency (USIA) to create support of its foreign policy. The Voice of America, the division of the USIA, broadcast entertainment, news, and propaganda throughout the world. During World War II, Germany, Italy, and Japan fought Great Britain, the Soviet Union, the United States and other Allies. All of them spread propaganda!
Propaganda is communication designed to influence people's thinking and actions. A television commercial or poster urging people to vote for a political candidate is most likely propaganda. For propaganda to be successful, it has to appeal to its audience. To do this, it has to be simple and easy to remember, and it has to use illustrations, words, and symbols to catch people's eyes. Propaganda also uses exaggeration, lies, and twisting of facts, but the government controls the censorship. Businesses, governments, and organizations use propaganda.
In 1953, the U.S. government created the United States Information Agency (USIA) to create support of its foreign policy. The Voice of America, the division of the USIA, broadcast entertainment, news, and propaganda throughout the world. During World War II, Germany, Italy, and Japan fought Great Britain, the Soviet Union, the United States and other Allies. All of them spread propaganda!
Royal Air Force
On the advice of General Jan Smuts, it was decided in April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force by amalgamating the Royal Naval Air Service with the Royal Flying Corps. The Women’s Royal Air Force was also created at this time. Under the leadership of Helen Gwynne-Vaughan, the next nine months saw 9,000 women recruited. General Hugh Trenchard was appointed chief of staff and by December 1918, the Royal Air Force as a whole had more than 22,000 aircraft and 291,000 personnel which made it the world’s largest Air Force.
On the advice of General Jan Smuts, it was decided in April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force by amalgamating the Royal Naval Air Service with the Royal Flying Corps. The Women’s Royal Air Force was also created at this time. Under the leadership of Helen Gwynne-Vaughan, the next nine months saw 9,000 women recruited. General Hugh Trenchard was appointed chief of staff and by December 1918, the Royal Air Force as a whole had more than 22,000 aircraft and 291,000 personnel which made it the world’s largest Air Force.
Vichy France
Vichy France was formerly a French state. The Franco-German Armistice of June 22, 1940, divided France into two zones: one to be under German military occupation and one to be left to the French in full sovereignty, at least nominally. The unoccupied zone comprised the southeastern two-fifths of the country, from the Swiss frontier near Geneva to a point 12 miles east of Tours and thence southwest to the Spanish frontier, 30 miles from the Bay of Biscay.
Pierre Laval joined the government the day after the armistice was signed and became the main architect of the Vichy regime. It was he who on July 10, 1940, persuaded the National Assembly to grant Pétain authority to promulgate a new constitution (569 votes in favor, 80 against, 18 abstentions), so that Pétain was able, the next day, to assume in his own name full legislative and executive powers in the “French State.” The Vichy governments in fact survived for four years by never promulgating a new constitution. Their policy changed in tune with the fortunes of the war. When close collaboration with the Germans proved impracticable, a plot was formed at Vichy against Laval, who fell from power in December 1940 and was succeeded as premier by Pierre Étienne Flandin and then by Admiral Jean Darlan. Backed by Charles Maurras’s Action Française (a newspaper that advocated traditionalist, semi royalist doctrines), Pétain and Darlan embarked on a period of attentisme (“wait and see”) in their dealings with Germany. Vichy became, at least superficially, a corporative state. The republican slogan of “Liberty, equality, fraternity” was replaced by “Work, family, fatherland.” A labor charter was passed, and there was much talk of a Pétainist “national revolution.”
In April 1942 Laval returned to power and contrived to convince the Germans that they could get more active collaboration from him. Germany was now engaged in massive war with the Soviet Union and with the United States and needed greater security in Western Europe. But six months later the whole basis of Vichy’s position was transformed. U.S. and British forces landed in North Africa; the main units of the French fleet were scuttled by their crews at Toulon to prevent their falling into German hands; and on November 11, 1942, Germany occupied the whole of France and disbanded the “armistice army” of Vichy.
Meanwhile, the Resistance movements against both Vichy and the Germans grew rapidly in strength and significance as large numbers of young men fled to the hills and open country to escape the German forced-labor laws. Living as outlaws in the countryside and aided by the country people and by supplies dropped by aircraft from Great Britain, they harassed German communications and transport in preparation for Allied landings. The six months preceding the Normandy Invasion were a period of civil war in France between the members of the Resistance and the German Gestapo (secret police) aided by Vichy militias. When the provisional government of Charles de Gaulle moved to France after the Allied invasion of Normandy, it took over from a fascist regime in utter collapse. In September 1944, after the liberation of Paris, the new government declared Pétain’s French State abolished, together with all its laws.
Laval fled to Germany and Austria but was captured and returned to France, where he was tried and executed (1945). Pétain, abducted to Germany, voluntarily returned to France for trial and was convicted; his death sentence, however, was commuted by de Gaulle to solitary.