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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.
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.
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.
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.
Sanctions
Sanctions were economic, political, and cultural penalties imposed by the international community to pressure the South African government to end apartheid and move toward democratic reform.
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.