Download CONNECTIONS ACROSS TIME AND CULTURES: Two World Wars

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CONNECTIONS ACROSS TIME AND CULTURES: Two World Wars
In 1914 and again in 1939, war engulfed Europe and spread rapidly across the globe. Both wars were sparked by a
quest for power and both ended in military defeat for Germany and its allies, cities in ruins, and destroyed lives. In
what other ways were the two wars similar? Review Chapter 29 and Chapter 32 to answer the questions that follow.
1. How did imperialism set the stage for both world wars?
a. WWI
b. WWII
2. International rivalries led to the creation of military alliances among the great world powers. What military
alliances pushed European nations into war?
a. WWI
b. WWII
3. In both wars, Germany faced the danger of fighting one war on the Western Front and a second on the
Eastern Front. What was Germany’s military plan for fighting a two-front war? What was the outcome?
a. WWI
b. WWII
4. Developments in science and technology made possible new types of warfare. What new weapons and
military strategies were introduced in each war?
a. WWI
b. WWII
5. In both wars, governments waged total war. How did governments suppress antiwar activity on the home
front?
a. WWI
b. WWII
6. In what other ways were the Great War and World War II similar? Name at least two similarities.
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Answer Key
Chapter 16, Section 5 CONNECTIONS ACROSS TIME AND CULTURES
Possible responses:
1. WWI. Competition for colonies in Africa and Asia pushed European nations to the brink of
war.
WWII. Germany, Japan, and Italy tried to build empires by invading and conquering other
countries and their colonies.
2. WWI. By 1914, Europe was divided into two rival groups—the Triple Entente that included
Britain, France, and Russia, and the Triple Alliance that included Germany, Austria-Hungary,
and Italy. As a result, a declaration of war against one country set off a chain reaction that
drew all nations into war.
WWII. A nonaggression pact between Hitler and Stalin gave both leaders the “go ahead” to
seize more territories. Hitler’s invasion of Poland led to a declaration of war from Britain and
France.
3. WWI. The Schlieffen Plan called for part of the German army to defeat France quickly and
then return east to fight Russia. The Battle of the Marne stalled the German advance and left
the plan in ruins. Prolonged warfare on two fronts resulted.
WWII. Germany signed a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union in which the two
countries promised not to attack each other. When Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, he
opened up a war on two fronts, eventually leading to his defeat.
4. WWI. trench warfare, poison gas, machine guns, tanks, submarines, airplanes
WWII. blitzkrieg, naval aircraft carriers, jet aircraft, ballistic missiles, atomic bomb
5. WWI. censored war news, used posters and other instruments of propaganda to keep up
morale and support for the war
WWII. created instruments of propaganda; in the United States, set up internment camps for
Japanese
6. Both wars were total wars involving citizen participation on the front, and they both
changed people’s view of the capabilities of women. In both wars, the United States entered
late, and the country’s entry into the hostilities eventually turned the tide of war. In both wars,
Russia suffered heavy damage to its soldiers, its civilians, and its land.