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Annexation
The formal addition of a territory into an empire.
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.
Autarky
Economic self-sufficiency, where a state aims to produce all goods and resources domestically rather than relying on international trade. Pursued by fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and the USSR.
Collective security
Collective security is the idea that nations work together to maintain peace by deterring or punishing aggression.
Collective security
System in which states cooperate to respond to threats.
Collective Security
A system in which a group of nations commits to respond collectively to threats or acts of aggression against any member state.
Corporate State
An economic system in fascist Italy where government-appointed boards of employers and workers managed each industry, eliminating competition and independent trade unions. The state directed production, set prices, and controlled wages to achieve national economic goals.
Fascism
A far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterised by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.
Great Depression
A severe worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 with the Wall Street Crash and lasted through the 1930s. It caused mass unemployment, collapsed international trade, and destabilised democratic governments, contributing to the rise of extremist movements in Europe.
Great Depression (1929)
A worldwide economic collapse that began with the U.S. stock market crash, leading to mass unemployment, bank failures, and a severe decline in global trade throughout the 1930s.
Imperialism
the policy of expanding a nation’s power through colonization or military force.
Indemnity
a payment made by a defeated country to cover the costs of war.
Isolationism
A foreign policy stance of avoiding involvement in international affairs, alliances, and conflicts. In the 1930s, the United States pursued isolationism through the Neutrality Acts, refusing to intervene in European and Asian crises.
League of Nations
The postwar international organization created to maintain peace and collective security; Brazil was an active early member before withdrawing in 1926.
Lebensraum
A German concept meaning 'living space,' used by Hitler to argue that Germany needed to expand eastward to acquire territory for its growing population. It became a central justification for Nazi foreign policy and territorial aggression.
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.
Non-belligerency
A diplomatic status chosen by Italy in September 1939, indicating that while not actively fighting, Italy was not neutral and reserved the right to enter the war. Mussolini preferred this term to "neutrality" to maintain the appearance of an active, deliberate choice.
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.
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.