Causes of WWII: Totalitarian Leaders and Treaties

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Questions and Answers

Why did Germany need control of the sky to invade Britain?

To establish a naval blockade.

To gather intelligence on British troop movements.

To use paratroopers in a land invasion.

To safely cross the English Channel. (correct)

What was the name of the German air force that battled against the British Royal Air Force?

Kriegsmarine

Schutzstaffel

Luftwaffe (correct)

Wehrmacht

What was the significance of the British surprise attack on Berlin in August 1940?

It resulted in a shift in the focus of the war to the eastern front

It prompted the German 'Blitz' on Britain (correct)

It led to a quick surrender by Germany

It forced Germany to retreat for the rest of the war

How long did the German 'Blitz' on Britain last?

57 nights (A) Signup and view all the answers

What major event occurred on September 15th, 1940?

RAF defeated the Luftwaffe (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which country did Hitler set his sights on after the Battle of Britain?

The Soviet Union (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the operation when the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union?

Operation Barbarossa (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why did Hitler decide to break a nonaggression pact and invade the Soviet Union?

To seize land and resources (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a characteristic of a totalitarian leader?

Maintains complete control including all political, military and economic matters (B) Signup and view all the answers

The 'Enabling Act' is associated with which of the following?

The rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany by granting him dictatorial powers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these terms best describes the type of warfare that the German military adopted, that involved quick, decisive attacks, using mechanized forces?

Blitzkrieg (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 'Miracle at Dunkirk'?

It was a large scale evacuation of Allied soldiers from France. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the intention behind the Nuremberg Laws?

To persecute Jewish citizens and restrict their rights. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role did the 'S.S. St. Louis' play in the context of WWII?

It was a ship carrying Jewish refugees that was turned away from several ports. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of 'The Manhattan Project'?

To create the Atomic Bomb. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these historical events is an example of the implementation of totalitarian control?

The Holocaust (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a defining characteristic of the ghettos created by the Nazis?

Filthy with poor sanitation and extreme overcrowding (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the Nazi selection process during WWII, which group was typically designated for extermination?

The elderly, women, and children 14 and under (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Nazi 'work camps'?

To exploit people through forced labor. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What Nazi policy aimed to remove individuals deemed 'life unworthy of life'?

Euthanasia Aktion T-4 program (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary method of transportation used to move people from ghettos to concentration camps?

Trains (C) Signup and view all the answers

How were individuals identified upon arrival at concentration camps?

By their assigned numbers (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a mandatory for people upon entry to the concentration camps?

Having all of their body hair shaved off (D) Signup and view all the answers

Besides Jewish people who else were held in Nazi concentration camps?

Communists, homosexuals, opponents, Roma/Gypsy, and union members (D) Signup and view all the answers

After the capture of Ortona, what became the primary focus of the Allied forces in Italy?

Moving to the western front and capturing Rome. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How many attempts did it take for the Allies to break through the German army stationed in Rome?

Four (B) Signup and view all the answers

Under the War Measures Act, where were most Japanese Canadians imprisoned?

Camps located in the interior of British Columbia (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a country that contributed to the Allied forces in the capture of Rome?

Australian (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a power that the government may hold under the guise of National Security?

Providing compensation for seized family possessions (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the United States' involvement in World War II?

The attack on Pearl Harbor. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the largest mass movement in Canadian history?

The movement of the Japanese-Canadians during World War II (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Lend-Lease Act?

To provide financial and military aid to allied countries. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary strategy of the American Navy against Japan in the Pacific?

Island hopping (B) Signup and view all the answers

What were the main factors that contributed to the extreme ordeal of the crew of the USS Indianapolis?

Heat, dehydration, shark attacks and limited debris to cling to. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Manhattan Project?

To create the first atomic bomb (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did Canada's declaration of war in WWII differ from WWI?

Canada declared war after an overwhelming vote in Parliament. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What materials were used by the United States of America in the production of the atomic bomb?

Canadian uranium (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the War Measures Act allow the Canadian government to do during WWII?

To suspend civil rights and control the economy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly relates TNT explosions to atomic bomb explosions?

Atomic bombs produce temperatures millions of degrees higher than TNT (C) Signup and view all the answers

How long can the effects of fallout from an atomic bomb last?

Weeks, months, or even years (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is TRUE about the Manhattan Project?

The Manhattan Project cost approximately $2 billion dollars ($22 billion today) to create. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is TRUE about the atomic bombing of Japan?

The second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of the bombing on the Japanese population?

Widespread death and the eventual surrender of Japan. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided information, which of the following statements accurately reflects the decision-making process behind the atomic bombings?

The decision was one of necessity, driven by the high cost of the war and the desire for a quick end. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated number of people killed in the bombing of Hiroshima?

70,000-135,000 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki?

Fat Man (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Causes of WWII

The 1920s in Europe were marked by change, insecurity, and frustration, followed by an economic crisis in the 1930s.
People voted for leaders who promised change.
A specific type of leader, called a totalitarian leader, emerged in many countries during the early 1930s.

Characteristics of a Totalitarian Leader

Typically one charismatic leader.
Exercises complete control over all aspects of the country (political, military, economic, social, cultural).
Highly nationalistic, with the use of flags, salutes, rallies, and uniforms.
Implements strict controls and laws.

Treaty of Versailles

An armistice signed on November 11, 1918.
Involved the "Big Three:" the USA, Britain, and France.
Germany had to admit guilt for the war.
Forced to surrender land.
Required to pay reparations.
Had to reduce its army and navy.
Led to a severely damaged German economy and morale.

Failure of the League of Nations

An organization of countries formed to prevent future world wars.
Failed to prevent conflicts like the Rape of Nanking and the invasion of Ethiopia.
Lacks of intervention suggested that world leaders could use force without consequences.

Rise of Hitler

Born in 1889 in Braunau.
Nationalistic.
Was rejected from art school.
Became a veteran of WW1, developing a belief in German superiority.
Joined the Nazi party in 1919.
Became the leader of the Nazi party in a short time.
Promised to rebuild Germany.

The Policy of Appeasement

A policy intended to prevent future wars by pacifying aggressors.
Involved giving into demands to avoid conflict.

The Beginning of WWII

In 1939, Germany invaded Poland using a blitzkrieg tactic.
This invasion led to Britain and France declaring war.
The invasion was prompted by other conflicts in Europe which were followed by a non aggression pact between the two countries.

Miracle of Dunkirk

British ships evacuated 330,000 retreating soldiers at the port of Dunkirk during the retreat throughout France,
This crucial evacuation saved many British soldiers.

Battle of Britain

A significant air battle during 1940's.
Luftwaffe attacked British airspace.
British Royal Air Force fought back effectively.
Hitler failed to achieve control of the skies over England preventing an invasion of the United Kingdom.

Operation Barbarossa

The Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941.
A surprise attack.
Germany initially made significant gains, but were unable to defeat the Soviet army.

The Italian Campaign

Allied forces invaded Italy in 1943.
Benito Mussolini's rule ended, and Italy surrendered to the Allies.
Fighting continued in Italy.

The Attack on Pearl Harbour

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbour (December 7, 1941).
This led to the entrance of the USA into World War Two.

The Manhattan Project

A top-secret US project to develop the atomic bomb.
Many scientists across the globe assisted in this.

The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
This led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

The Holocaust

The systematic annihilation of Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany.
Involved forced segregation, concentration camps, and mass murder.
Occurred during World War II.
Resulted in deaths of millions of people.

Holodomor

Stalin's deliberate starvation of Ukrainian people.
Mass murder through starvation.

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Description

Explore the key causes of World War II, including the rise of totalitarian leaders in the 1930s and the implications of the Treaty of Versailles. Understand the political and social changes in Europe during the interwar period, and the failure of the League of Nations. This quiz provides insights into how these factors led to the outbreak of war.