Causes and Consequences of WWII

• The major causes of WWII included nationalism, militarism, troubles caused by the Treaty of Versailles.
• Global peace movements were not a main cause of WWII.
• The Treaty of Versailles contributed to WWII by imposing harsh penalties on Germany, causing resentment.
• Nationalism fueled aggressive expansionist policies, leading to WWII.
• Imperialism led to rivalries over colonies and resources, contributing to WWII.
• The system of alliances created opposing blocs that escalated conflicts.

Political Instability and Economic Devastation in Europe After WWI

• A major economic issue in Europe after WWI was high war debt owed by Germany and high inflation.
• A worldwide depression was not a economic issue in Europe after WWI.
• The worldwide depression caused unemployment and destabilized governments in Europe after WWI.
• In 1932, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was 25%.
• High inflation in Germany caused economic chaos and discontent.
• Germany had a high war debt after WWI due to reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.

Rise of Fascism

• Fascism is a philosophy where total power is given to a dictator.
• Adolf Hitler was a key fascist dictator.
• The Axis Powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan.
• The rise of fascism contributed to WWII because fascist leaders pursued aggressive expansionist policies.
• Economic devastation made people desperate, leading to support for fascist leaders.

Gradual Change in American Policy

• The initial U.S. policy toward WWII was isolationism through the Neutrality Act.
• The "Cash and Carry" policy allowed the Allies to buy materials if they paid upfront and transported them.
• The "Destroyers for Bases Deal" involved the U.S. trading destroyers to Britain for military bases.
• Britain primarily benefited from the Lend-Lease Program.
• U.S. policy toward WWII changed over time from isolationism to increasing support for the Allies.

The Allies

• The democratic nations in the Allies were the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.
• Early in WWII, France was captured by Germany.
• The Soviet Union joined the Allies after being invaded by Germany.
• The Tripartite Pact was an agreement between the Axis Powers.
• Winston Churchill was the leader of Great Britain during WWII.

Mixed Questions (Critical Thinking)

• Economic conditions after WWI caused people to support fascist leaders promising recovery.
• The Treaty of Versailles caused resentment in Germany because it imposed harsh penalties and humiliated the nation.
• The Axis Powers were fascist, while most Allies were democratic.
• The U.S. was initially hesitant to get involved in WWII due to isolationist sentiment after WWI.
• The Soviet Union's involvement forced Germany to fight on two fronts, weakening them.

WWII Pacific and Key Events MCQ Test

War in the Pacific

• Tensions between the United States and Japan rose due to Japanese aggression, mainly in China, and U.S. economic restrictions.
• The U.S. embargo prevented Japan from purchasing oil, steel, and scrap metal needed for war.
• The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, directly led the United States to declare war on Japan.
• After the U.S. declared war on Japan, Germany declared war on the United States.
• The U.S. strategy in Europe after entering the war was to go to war against Germany first, as per the Atlantic Charter.

Home Front Effects

• Women took jobs at defense plants, known as "Rosie the Riveter" during WWII.
• The U.S. managed resources during WWII by conserving and rationing resources.
• Due to the need for workers during WWII, racial barriers were temporarily broken down, though discrimination continued.
• Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps during WWII in the U.S.

Key WWII Events

• WWII officially began in Europe on September 1, 1939.
• The Maginot Line was a defensive system along the French-German border.
• The Vichy government was a puppet government in France controlled by Hitler.
• The Battle of Britain was an air battle won by Britain between the Luftwaffe and RAF.
• Erwin Rommel was a German commander, "Desert Fox," defeated by British and American troops in the North Africa Campaign.
• The Battle of Midway, using island-hopping by General MacArthur, was the turning point in the Pacific theater of WWII.
• The Battle of Stalingrad was key because it was the turning point in the Soviet Union, forcing Germans to retreat.
• D-Day, the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, was also known as Operation Overlord.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower planned the D-Day invasion.
• The Battle of the Bulge was Hitler's last attempt to destroy Allied troops.
• The fall of Berlin in May 1945, marked the end of the war in Europe (V-E Day).

Conclusion of WWII

• The Manhattan Project was a project to create the atomic bombs.
• Robert Oppenheimer was the head of the Manhattan Project.
• The atomic bomb was tested in New Mexico.
• The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
• The second atomic bomb dropped on Japan was called Fat Man.
• Japan surrendered in August 1945, marking V-J Day.

Mixed Questions (Critical Thinking)

• The U.S. embargo led Japan to attack Pearl Harbor because it cut off Japan's access to essential war materials, prompting retaliation.
• The D-Day invasion was a turning point in Europe, leading to Allied victory.
• The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the Pacific, weakening Japan's naval power.
• The use of atomic bombs led to Japan's surrender, ending the war in the Pacific.