AP Modern World History Flashcards: Causes of World War II
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How were economic and political factors intertwined as causes of WWII?
The global economic crisis (Great Depression) created instability that helped fascist and totalitarian regimes rise to power, who then pursued aggressive militarism.
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How were economic and political factors intertwined as causes of WWII?
The global economic crisis (Great Depression) created instability that helped fascist and totalitarian regimes rise to power, who then pursued aggressive militarism.
List the four main causes of World War II identified in the text.
The four main causes were the post-WWI peace settlement, the global economic crisis, continued imperialist aspirations, and the rise of fascist/totalitarian regimes.
How did the peace settlement after World War I contribute to the start of World War II?
The peace settlement after World War I was unsustainable, creating conditions and grievances that were a major cause of World War II.
Define the role of 'fascist and totalitarian regimes' as a cause of World War II.
Fascist and totalitarian regimes, like Nazi Germany, rose to power and pursued aggressive militarism, which was a primary cause of the war.
What is identified as the 'especially' significant cause of WWII among the ones listed?
The text especially highlights the rise to power of fascist and totalitarian regimes, which resulted in aggressive militarism, as a key cause.
What role did the Great Depression play in causing World War II?
The Great Depression engendered a global economic crisis that destabilized nations, contributing to the conditions that led to World War II.
What was the relationship between the rise of totalitarian regimes and 'aggressive militarism'?
The rise to power of fascist and totalitarian regimes directly resulted in the aggressive militarism of nations like Nazi Germany, leading to war.
A historian argues that the Treaty of Versailles was a direct cause of WWII. Which of the text's points supports this argument?
This argument is supported by the text's statement that the 'unsustainable peace settlement after World War I' was a primary cause of the war.
Term: Imperialist Aspirations (in the context of WWII)
Continued imperialist aspirations refer to the ongoing desire of powerful nations to expand their territory and influence, which was a contributing cause of World War II.
Which specific regime and leader are mentioned as an example of aggressive militarism leading to WWII?
The text cites Nazi Germany under the leadership of Adolf Hitler as a key example of aggressive militarism that caused the war.