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Anschluss
The political union of Austria and Germany, forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler achieved the Anschluss in March 1938 when German troops marched into Austria unopposed, absorbing it into the Third Reich.
Anti-Comintern Pact
An agreement signed in November 1936 between Germany and Japan (Italy joined in 1937) opposing the Communist International (Comintern). It signalled the formation of the future Axis alliance and the alignment of revisionist powers against the Soviet Union.
Appeasement
A diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an aggressive power in order to avoid conflict, most associated with British policy towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
Collective security
Collective security is the idea that nations work together to maintain peace by deterring or punishing aggression.
Conscription
A government policy that requires eligible citizens to serve in the military, often called a draft.
League of Nations
The postwar international organization created to maintain peace and collective security; Brazil was an active early member before withdrawing in 1926.
Mare Nostrum
Latin for "Our Sea", referring to the Mediterranean. Mussolini used this term to express his ambition to turn the Mediterranean into an Italian-dominated lake, echoing the Roman Empire's control of the region.
Nazi-Soviet Pact
A non-aggression pact signed on 23 August 1939 between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. It included secret protocols dividing Poland and eastern Europe into spheres of influence, and freed Hitler to invade Poland without fear of a two-front war.
Pact of Steel
A full military alliance signed between Italy and Germany on 22 May 1939. It committed both nations to mutual support if either went to war, effectively binding Italy to German foreign policy decisions despite Italy's military unpreparedness.
Plebiscite
A direct vote by the entire electorate on a specific political question, often used to legitimise a ruler's authority. Napoleon III used plebiscites in 1851 and 1852 to confirm his coup and the establishment of the Second Empire.
Example
In December 1851, Napoleon III's plebiscite received over 7 million 'yes' votes against fewer than 650,000 'no' votes, lending a democratic veneer to his authoritarian seizure of power.
Plebiscite
A direct vote by the entire electorate on a specific political question, used by Napoleon III to claim democratic legitimacy for authoritarian decisions.
Protectorate
a country controlled and protected by a stronger power.
Rearmament
The process of rebuilding a country's military forces and weapons stockpiles. In the 1930s, both Germany and Italy pursued large-scale rearmament programmes that stimulated their economies, reduced unemployment, and prepared them for aggressive foreign policies.
Revisionism
Term used by Mao to describe policies that weakened revolutionary ideology.
Rome-Berlin Axis
A diplomatic agreement signed in October 1936 between Mussolini and Hitler, establishing closer cooperation between fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. It was not a binding military alliance but marked the end of Italy's alignment with Britain and France.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Peace treaty ending World War I that imposed territorial losses, military restrictions, war guilt, and financial reparations on the defeated Central Powers. Its terms reshaped the post-war political map and generated lasting resentment, particularly in Germany.