Causes of WWII and Stalin's USSR

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of the Bracero Program?

To provide training for Mexican soldiers

To recruit American workers for military service

To recruit Mexicans to work on farms in the southwest (correct)

To facilitate immigration from Europe to the US

What underlying issue led to the Zoot Suit Riots?

Economic disparities between races

Labor disputes among garment workers

Political protests against the draft

Racial tension and fabric rationing (correct)

What did Executive Order 8802 aim to eliminate?

Bias in media representations of minorities

Racial segregation in public schools

Discrimination based on race in government jobs (correct)

Economic inequality in job opportunities

The Double V Campaign was associated with which of the following objectives?

Victory over Axis powers and civil rights for African Americans (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about the speed of the German invasion of France?

It was achieved in just 35 days (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did radar technology contribute to Britain's success in the Battle of Britain?

It provided early warning of enemy attacks (A) Signup and view all the answers

What event marked Hitler's breach of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact?

The invasion of the USSR in 1941 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a crucial outcome of the Battle of Stalingrad?

The first major defeat of the German army by the Soviets (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic did American forces demonstrate after George Patton took command?

More aggressive (A) Signup and view all the answers

When did the German army in North Africa surrender?

May 1943 (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was one major effect of the Bataan Death March on America?

Americans became anti-Japanese (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Battle of Midway considered a turning point in the Pacific Theater?

Japan lacked the material to replace their battle losses (D) Signup and view all the answers

Who was in charge of the reinforcements that saved the Battle of the Bulge for the Allies?

General Patton (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was Hitler's situation at the end of World War II?

Squeezed between two massive armies (D) Signup and view all the answers

What decision was made at the Tehran Conference regarding Western Europe?

To open a second front in Western Europe (D) Signup and view all the answers

When is V-E Day celebrated?

May 8, 1945 (A) Signup and view all the answers

What made fighting along the Italian peninsula particularly difficult for Allied forces?

Difficult geography favoring German defenders (A) Signup and view all the answers

What became the name of Hitler's counter-offensive during the winter of 1944-45?

Battle of the Bulge (B) Signup and view all the answers

What strategy involved capturing some Japanese-held islands while leaving others alone?

Island-hopping (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Doolittle Raid?

To send a message to Japan that the US wanted revenge (D) Signup and view all the answers

What were kamikaze pilots known for?

Deliberately crashing planes into enemy targets (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why did President Truman choose to drop atomic bombs on Japan?

To save American lives and avoid an invasion of Japan (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the total estimated number of casualties during World War II?

60 million (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Manhattan Project?

To create a nuclear weapon (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the unemployment rate in the United States by 1944?

1.2% (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of propaganda during WWII?

To support war financing and keep the war popular (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of cost-plus contracts on production during WWII?

Production doubled, outpacing the Axis powers (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of Rosie the Riveter?

She symbolized women's capability for physical labor (D) Signup and view all the answers

How was the U.S. national debt affected during WWII?

It increased from $42 billion to $269 billion (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the National War Labor Board?

To facilitate labor disputes and ensure productivity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does rationing mean in the context of wartime efforts?

To limit the amount of resources used (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did Executive Order 9066 authorize during WWII?

The internment of Japanese-Americans (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of the Great Migration during WWII?

Increased job opportunities for women and minorities (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why were coupon books and victory gardens implemented during WWII?

To ensure adequate resources for the war (A) Signup and view all the answers

What led to countries seeking totalitarian governments during the interwar period?

Quest for solutions to economic problems (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the effects of Stalin's policies on the USSR?

Widespread political imprisonment and executions (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Great Depression particularly affect Germany?

By worsening existing economic issues from WWI reparations (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of Hitler’s policies upon rising to power?

To expand German territory and influence (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant aspect of Japan’s militarism before WWII?

Expansion of military power and influence in governance (D) Signup and view all the answers

What strategy did the US use for supporting Allied nations before formally entering WWII?

A cash-and-carry policy allowing limited aid (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Lend-Lease Act change US involvement in the war?

It allowed aiding Allied nations without direct military involvement (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major outcome of the attack on Pearl Harbor for the US?

Mobilization of US industrial capacity for the war (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was FDR's initial stance on US involvement in WWII?

Proclaimed neutrality and non-involvement (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Office of War Mobilization (OWM)?

To ensure proper resource allocation for the war effort (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did the Munich Pact signify in terms of international relations?

A policy of appeasement towards aggressive nations (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor for the US being seen as an 'arsenal for democracy'?

Providing support to allied nations without entering the war (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of the Great Depression in Italy?

Facilitated the rise of totalitarianism (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Causes of WWII

World Instability: A major event, the Great Depression, put global countries in desperate situations.
Totalitarian Governments: Countries turned to dictatorships (totalitarian governments) seeking solutions to economic problems.
Destabilizing Effect of Dictators: Dictators' actions destabilized global political and economic systems.

USSR

Stalin's Rise to Power: Joseph Stalin took over from Vladimir Lenin in 1924 to control the USSR.
Industrialization Goals: Stalin's goal was to accelerate the USSR's industrialization process.
Suppression of Dissent: People who resisted Stalin's policies were sent to Siberian prisons or summarily executed.
Purge/Great Terror Casualties: Stalin had over 10 million of his own citizens killed during the Purge/Great Terror period.
Suspicions of Neighbors: Russia's annexation of many countries surrounding the USSR generated suspicion of its intentions amongst neighboring nations.

Italy

Rise of Fascism: Fascism, an extreme right-wing political ideology prioritizing state needs above individual ones, rose in Italy.
Benito Mussolini's Rise: Benito Mussolini gained power in Italy in 1922 at the request of the Italian King.
Great Depression's Impact on Italy: The Great Depression caused the breakdown of the Italian political system.
Mussolini's Social Changes: Mussolini restored order in Italy by providing jobs through nationalization of industries but limited other freedoms.

Germany

Economic Worsening: Germany's economic troubles from the Great Depression were amplified by reparation payments set by the Treaty of Versailles.
Hitler's Rise to Power: Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party, became Chancellor in 1933.
Hitler's Policies: He increased his power, ignored the Treaty of Versailles by building up the military, and implemented anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish laws, while also creating public works projects to put Germans back to work.
Mein Kampf Ideas: Hitler wrote about his beliefs, including blaming Germany's problems on the Treaty of Versailles and Jews.

Japan

Militarism's Power: Increased military power in Japan had considerable influence on domestic politics.
Resources as Strategy: The Japanese sought to achieve economic gains by acquiring natural resources through territorial expansion.
Invasion of Manchuria: In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, China.
Southeast Asian Expansion: Japan's expansionist ambitions extended to Southeast Asia in the 1930s.
US Pacific Fleet: The US Pacific Fleet, stationed at Pearl Harbor, posed a major threat to Japan's ambitions in the Pacific.

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Description

This quiz explores the major causes of World War II, focusing on the global instability following the Great Depression and the rise of totalitarian governments. Additionally, it delves into Joseph Stalin's leadership in the USSR, his industrialization goals, and the implications of his oppressive policies. Test your knowledge on these significant historical events and figures.