Us history WWII

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the primary justification used by the three dictators—Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin—to consolidate power in their respective countries?

  • The appeal to nationalist sentiments, promising to restore their nation's former glory and protect it from perceived external threats. (correct)
  • The promise of immediate economic prosperity and wealth redistribution among all citizens.
  • The establishment of extensive social welfare programs, providing universal healthcare, education, and housing to garner public approval.
  • The implementation of democratic reforms and the expansion of individual liberties, ensuring popular support through political participation.

Considering the sequence of pre-World War II invasions, what strategic advantage did Japan hope to gain by invading Manchuria in 1931?

  • Establishing a naval base to project power across the Pacific, aiming to challenge U.S. dominance in the region.
  • Creating a launching point for the invasion of Southeast Asia, aligning its expansionist goals with Germany's territorial objectives in Europe
  • Securing a buffer zone against potential Soviet expansion, prioritizing ideological alignment over resource acquisition.
  • Gaining control over vital natural resources and raw materials, essential for fueling its growing military and industrial ambitions. (correct)

What was the most significant long-term geopolitical consequence of Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935?

  • It fostered a strong alliance between Italy and Great Britain, creating a unified front against German expansionism in Central Europe.
  • It led to the immediate imposition of comprehensive economic sanctions by the League of Nations, significantly weakening Italy's economy.
  • It caused a major shift in colonial power dynamics in Africa, with Italy relinquishing control of Libya and Somalia to focus on Ethiopia.
  • It demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations in preventing aggression, emboldening other expansionist powers, such as Germany and Japan. (correct)

How did the non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR influence the balance of power dynamics in Europe in the lead-up to World War II?

<p>It allowed Germany to focus its military resources and strategy on the Western Front, facilitating the rapid conquest of France and the Low Countries. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the most significant strategic consequence of the policy of appeasement adopted by Britain and France towards Hitler in the 1930s?

<p>It provided Hitler with the time and resources needed to consolidate power and expand Germany's military capabilities, making World War II inevitable. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the perception of Hitler as the "lesser of two evils" influence the policy of appeasement adopted by some European powers?

<p>It caused some leaders to underestimate the threat posed by Hitler, hoping he would act as a bulwark against the spread of communism. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the most significant underlying factor that contributed to the pacifist sentiment prevalent in many European countries during the interwar period?

<p>The disillusionment and trauma resulting from the immense human and economic costs of World War I. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What specific strategic miscalculation did Germany make during the Munich Conference concerning Czechoslovakia's military capabilities and alliances?

<p>Underestimating the strength and resilience of the Czech border fortifications, leading to unexpected delays in the invasion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the failure of the Battle of Britain represent a crucial turning point in World War II?

<p>It marked the first major defeat for the German military, shattering the myth of invincibility and boosting Allied morale. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the fundamental strategic flaw in Operation Barbarossa, which ultimately led to its failure?

<p>The underestimation of the size of the Soviet Red Army and the logistical challenges of operating across vast distances in harsh weather conditions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategic dilemma did the Lend-Lease Act present to the United States in 1941, given its official policy of neutrality?

<p>How to reconcile the provision of substantial material aid to Allied nations with its stated policy of remaining neutral in the European conflict (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary economic rationale behind the U.S. decision to end trade with Japan in 1941, leading to heightened tensions and the attack on Pearl Harbor?

<p>To cripple Japan's ability to acquire essential resources, such as oil and steel, needed for its military expansion in Asia. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the long-term strategic consequences, what was the most significant impact of the attack on Pearl Harbor on the trajectory of World War II?

<p>It forced the United States to abandon its isolationist policy and fully commit its vast resources and military might to the Allied cause. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Hitler's concept of 'Lebensraum' influence Germany's war strategy and occupation policies in Eastern Europe?

<p>It justified the mass displacement, exploitation, and extermination of Eastern European populations to create living space for the 'Aryan' race. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary strategic objective behind Japan's claim of liberating Asian countries from Western imperial rule?

<p>To replace Western colonial powers with its own imperial dominance, exploiting resources and labor for its own economic and military gain. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Nuremberg Laws contribute to the escalation of the Holocaust?

<p>By providing legal justification for the systematic persecution and discrimination against Jews, stripping them of their rights and citizenship. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the underlying rationale behind the creation of ghettos during the Holocaust?

<p>To isolate and control Jewish populations, facilitating their eventual removal and extermination. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the concept of the "Final Solution" represent a radical shift in Nazi policy towards Jews?

<p>It marked a transition from discriminatory policies to a systematic plan for the extermination of the entire Jewish population. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the strategic significance of the Yalta Conference in shaping the post-World War II world order?

<p>It finalized the division of Europe into spheres of influence, laying the groundwork for the Cold War and decades of geopolitical tension. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What critical role did American technological advancements play in countering the German U-boat threat in the Atlantic during World War II?

<p>They perfected sonar technology that could precisely locate and destroy U-boats underwater, significantly reducing their effectiveness. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Battle of Stalingrad a decisive turning point on the Eastern Front of World War II?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the strategic complexities of Operation Overlord, what made the Normandy landings such a high-risk decision for the Allied forces?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

From a strategic perspective, what was the primary objective of the Battle of the Bulge for the German military?

<p>To encircle and destroy Allied forces in the Ardennes, disrupting their advance into Germany and forcing them to negotiate a peace settlement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What long-term geopolitical implications resulted from the Soviet Union's capture of Berlin towards the end of World War II?

<p>It solidified Soviet control over Eastern Europe, contributing to the emergence of the Eastern Bloc and the division of Europe into communist and capitalist spheres. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did General Douglas MacArthur's initial withdrawal from the Philippines influence the overall strategic landscape of the Pacific Theater?

<p>It demonstrated the vulnerability of U.S. bases in the region, prompting a reassessment of defensive strategies and resource allocation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the key strategic objectives that guided the U.S. island-hopping campaign in the Pacific during World War II?

<p>To establish a series of air and naval bases within striking distance of Japan, enabling a sustained bombing campaign and eventual invasion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unique tactical and logistical challenges did the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa present to the U.S. military?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the complex ethical and strategic considerations, what was the most consequential factor influencing President Truman's decision to use atomic bombs against Japan?

<p>The belief that it was the only way to avoid a costly and protracted invasion of Japan, saving countless American lives. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Soviet Union's entry into the war against Japan influence the timing and terms of Japan's surrender?

<p>It accelerated Japan's decision to surrender, as they feared Soviet occupation of their territory and the potential loss of their imperial system. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways did the "Aryan Race" doctrine shape Nazi policies and actions during World War II beyond the Holocaust?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the potential long-term implications of the U.S. policy of island hopping in the Pacific, beyond the immediate goal of defeating Japan?

<p>It led to the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases throughout the Pacific, solidifying American influence in the region and shaping post-war geopolitics. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspects of Germany's rearmament program, initiated in the 1930s, most directly violated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategic advantage did the German military gain from its annexation of Austria (Anschluss) in 1938?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What underlying assumptions about the Soviet Union informed the Allied strategy of demanding unconditional surrender from Germany?

<p>That the Soviet Union would aggressively seek to expand its influence and control over Eastern Europe after the war. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Battle of the Bulge impact the relationship between the U.S. and Great Britain and the Soviet Union?

<p>The Battle of the Bulge strained the relationship between the U.S. and Great Britain and the Soviet Union because the Soviet Union wanted them to start the invasion sooner to take pressure off of them. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What critical misjudgment did European powers make when they viewed Hitler as the "lesser of two evils"?

<p>They underestimated the scope of Hitler's ambitions and the gravity of his ideology. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategic significance did the German concept of 'Lebensraum' have on the demographic composition of Eastern Europe during World War II?

<p>It resulted in mass forced migrations and extermination to create space for the 'Aryan race'. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategic advantage did the U.S. seek by cutting off trade with Japan in 1941, considering Japan's stated intention of liberating Asia from Western Imperialism?

<p>To hinder Japan's military expansion by limiting access to essential resources, regardless of their stated aims. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the most critical logistical challenge faced by the Allies during the Battle of the Bulge that had implications for the long-term Allied strategy?

<p>Securing the port of Antwerp to ensure a steady supply of resources. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What potential ramifications, beyond immediate military objectives, were associated with the U.S.'s island-hopping strategy in the Pacific Theater?

<p>The establishment of a network of strategic military bases to contain Soviet expansion in Asia post-WWII. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Who were the three dictators during World War II?

Adolf Hitler in Germany, Benito Mussolini in Italy, and Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union.

What area did Japan invade in 1931?

Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931.

What country did Italy invade in 1935?

Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935.

What was the peace agreement between Germany and USSR?

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.

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When did Hitler invade Poland?

September 1, 1939.

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What is appeasement?

Giving in to an aggressor to keep peace.

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Who was the other 'evil'?

The Soviet Union and communism.

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What is pacifism?

Opposition to war and violence.

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March 1938: What country did Germany invade?

Austria.

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Munich Conference: What did France, Britain and Germany negotiate?

France, Britain, and Germany negotiated the handover of Sudetenland.

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With whom did Hitler sign a non-aggression pact?

The Soviet Union.

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What country did Hitler invade September 1, 1939?

Poland.

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What did Germany change?

Hitler initially ordered the bombing of military targets. The change was to bomb cities.

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What was Operation Barbarossa?

The code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.

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What did the Lend-Lease Act do?

It allowed the U.S. to lend or lease war supplies to Allied nations.

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What happened December 7, 1941?

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

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What happened three days after the U.S. declared war on Japan?

The US declared war on Germany and Italy.

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How did Hitler rule?

Puppet governments were set up.

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What is Lebensraum?

The territory that Nazi Germany believed was needed for its natural development.

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What was the real goal of Japan?

To acquire resources and establish dominance.

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How did Japan treat the people they conquered?

Killing, raping, torture and slave labor.

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What is anti-semitism?

Discrimination and prejudice against Jews.

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What are the characteristics of the Ayran race?

Full German blood, blonde hair and blue eyes.

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What were the Nuremberg Laws?

Laws that deprived Jews of their rights.

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What was Kristallnacht?

Night of Broken Glass, a violent pogrom against Jews.

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What is Ghetto?

Segregated Jewish areas, sealed with barbed wire and stone walls.

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What was the Final Solution?

The Nazi plan to exterminate the Jewish people.

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What is genocide?

The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

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Britain, France, the US and the Soviet Union.

Germany split in four zones. What four countries controlled them?

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How was Berlin split?

Berlin was split the same way

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What did Stalin pledge with regards to Eastern Europe?

Stalin pledged to allow free elections in Eastern Europe.

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What did Stalin pledge to do with regards to Japan?

Stalin pledged to enter the war against Japan within three months of Germany's surrender.

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What three tools did the Americans use against German U-boats?

Sonar, radar, and depth charges.

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What was the outcome fo the Battle of Stalingrad?

Soviet Victory.

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When was D-Day?

June 6, 1944.

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What was D-Day?

The Allied invasion of Normandy.

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When was France liberated from Germany?

In August 1944.

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What was the battle of the last German offensive?

The last major German offensive campaign.

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What city did U.S. troops want?

The U.S. troops raced to take Berlin.

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Who took Berlin?

The soviets took Berlin.

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What battle led to the soviets taking Berlin?

The battle of the Bulge.

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When did Germany surrender?

May 8, 1945.

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What does MacArthur do.

To withdraw from the Philippines.

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How did the strategy change?

Slowly taking strategicislands.

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To build the Atomic bomb.

The Manhattan Project.

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Study Notes

Rise of Dictators

  • Three dictators rose to power in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union

Invasions

  • Japan invaded an area in 1931
  • Italy invaded a country in 1935
  • Germany and the USSR had a peace agreement
  • Hitler invaded Poland, considered the start of WWII

Appeasement

  • Appeasement is defined
  • France was too weak to fight without Great Britain, one reason for appeasement
  • Hitler was seen as the lesser of two evils
  • Pacifism is defined

German Aggression

  • Germany invaded a country in March 1938
  • Germany annexed the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia in 1939
  • France, Britain, and Germany negotiated at the Munich Conference.
  • Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with someone
  • Hitler invaded a country on September 1, 1939, officially starting WWII
  • Britain and Germany declare war on Germany
  • France is mentioned

Battle of Britain

  • Hitler wanted to take Great Britain in 1940
  • Germany first bombed military targets in Britain
  • Germany changed plans, and what Germany changed its plan
  • London endured relentless bombing, but Britain never surrendered

Operation Barbarossa

  • Operation Barbarossa is defined
  • Hitler wanted an entire country
  • The operation failed before taking Leningrad and Moscow
  • Thousands of Germans died

The U.S. Remains Neutral

  • The Lend-Lease Act occurred in 1941 and what it entails.
  • Aid was sent to Great Britain and then to the Soviet Union

U.S. Declares War

  • The U.S. ended trade with Japan to stop Japanese aggression
  • Something happened December 7, 1941
  • Congress declared war on Japan on December 8
  • Three days after the U.S. declared war on Japan, something happened

Europe

  • Hitler set up puppet governments in “Aryan” countries
  • Lebensraum is defined
  • Eastern Europeans were considered an inferior race and could be pushed aside
  • Conquered land was looted and plundered
  • The Final Solution is defined
  • Something begins as a result of the Final Solution

Asia

  • Japan claimed to help the people of Asia escape imperial rule
  • What was the real goal of Japan?
  • Japan treated the people they conquered with killing, raping, torture, and slave labor

Terms of the Holocaust

  • Anti-Semitism is defined
  • Ayran Race: Hitler believed was the perfect race, people with full German blood, blonde hair, and blue eyes
  • Nuremberg Laws are defined
  • In 1941 - Jews had to wear a yellow badge
  • Kristallnacht (November 9, 1938); means Night of broken glass is defined
  • Ghetto: segregated Jewish areas and neighborhoods, sealed with barbed wire and stone walls. Many Jews starved to death or died from disease
  • Final Solution explained
  • Genocide is defined

The Holocaust

  • The Holocaust, when it was, and what it was?

Yalta Conference

  • At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, Germany was split into four zones controlled by four countries.
  • Berlin was split the same way
  • Stalin pledged something regarding Eastern Europe
  • Stalin pledged something with regards to Japan within three months of Germany surrendering

Americans Join the War

  • In The Atlantic, The Americans used three tools against German U-boats
  • In North Africa, British allied troops squeezed Italian and German troops north out of Africa
  • The U.S. under General Patton took Italy

War in the U.S.S.R.

  • A country invaded the Soviet Union in June of 1941
  • The five-month Battle of Stalingrad ended with Soviet victory
  • The troops Germany lost in the battle

Operation Overlord

  • When was D-Day?
  • What happened on D-Day
  • When was France liberated from Germany?

Battle of the Bulge

  • Largest battle in Western Europe
  • The Battle of the Bulge was the last German offensive
  • Nazis realize the end is near

European War Ends

  • The Allies carpet bomb cities and war targets
  • U.S. troops from the West race to take what city?
  • Soviet troops from the East race to take what city?
  • Name of the battle that led to the Soviets taking Berlin?
  • When did Germany surrender?

Philippines Fall

  • The U.S. under General Douglas MacArthur is forced to withdraw from the Philippines, he vows, “I shall return”
  • The U.S. and the Filipinos retake the Philippines

Island Hopping

  • This is the strategy of slowly taking strategic islands in the Pacific, leading to heavy casualties

Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa

  • 75,000 American casualties
  • The Japanese fought to the death

The Bomb

  • Top secret program to build the Atomic Bomb.
  • Who was the operation headed by?
  • Who ordered the bombing of Japan?
  • The aircraft, the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb where in Japan?
  • When?
  • The second bomb was dropped where?
  • When?
  • The decision to drop the bomb occurred for four reasons
    • Force Jap gov. to surrender
    • Shorten the war and save U.S. lives
    • Prove to Japan of the weapon
    • End the war soon without Soviet help
  • What day did Japan surrendered?

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