“The World at War” Vocabulary

World War I (WWI) 1914-1918 World War II (WWII) 1939-1945

Blockade an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving

U-Boats German submarines used during World War I and World War II against enemy naval warships and used to blockade (cut off) enemy supply ships

Propaganda A form of communication that presents information to influence an audience toward a common cause or position

Neutrality A policy of not supporting either side in an argument, fight, or war between other powers.

assassin  a murderer, especially one who kills a politically prominent person for political or monetary reasons

Anti-Semitism Hostility towards, or discrimination against Jews as a religious group or “race”.

Nationalism an extreme sense of patriotism and pride in one’s country, especially marked by a feeling of superiority over other countries

Holocaust The mass murder of approximately 6 million Jews during WWII, by Nazi Germany, which was led by Adolf Hitler.

Fascism A governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry and commerce (business and trade), and emphasizing aggressive nationalism and often racism

Dictator A person exercising absolute power, especially a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession

Industry Industry is the production of goods or related services within an economy

Armistice An agreement between opposing armies to suspend hostilities (either temporarily or permanently) to discuss peace terms

Alliance a union or pact that is mutually beneficial, especially between countries or organizations.

Trench Warfare  type of land warfare consisting largely of trenches (like dug out ditches), in which troops are significantly protected from the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery.

Blitzkrieg A quick, sudden military attack, usually by combined air and mobile land forces

Imperialism a policy of extending a country's power and influence through political or military force

Militarism belief of a government that a country should maintain a strong military force and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests