World War 2 Questions Flashcards

D-Day Invasion

• The D-Day invasion, also known as Operation Overlord, involved the U.S.A, England, and Canada.
• The invasion aimed to liberate occupied France from Nazi control.

Key Figures

• Adolf Hitler served as the dictator of Germany.
• Joseph Stalin was the leader of the USSR.
• The "Big Three" leaders were Franklin Roosevelt (U.S.A), Joseph Stalin (USSR), and Winston Churchill (United Kingdom).
• Hideki Tojo was the dictator of Japan and a key figure in Japan’s militaristic initiatives.

Key Events

• The Battle of Midway is recognized as a major turning point of World War II.
• The U.S dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, contributing to Japan's surrender.
• Victory in Europe (V.E.) Day marks the official end of combat in Europe.
• Victory in Japan (V.J.) Day signifies Japan's surrender to the Allies.
• Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan on December 7, 1941, prompting the U.S. to enter the war.

Domestic Impact

• The U.S. experienced economic recovery as the Great Depression ended during the war.
• Rosie the Riveter became a cultural icon symbolizing women's contributions to the workforce.

Military Strategy and Warfare

• Blitzkrieg refers to fast and aggressive military tactics employed by Germany, including a 57-day bombing campaign over London.
• Island hopping was a strategy used by the Allies in the Pacific to capture strategic islands from Japan.
• The Manhattan Project was a secret U.S. initiative to develop atomic bombs.
• Operation Torch was the Allies' first coordinated mission in North Africa, aimed at protecting oil fields.

Concentration Camps and the Holocaust

• Concentration camps were facilities where Jews and other minorities were subjected to forced labor, torture, and execution during the Holocaust.
• The Holocaust involved the systematic genocide of Jews, overseen by the Nazis.

Post-War Consequences

• After the war, Japan was occupied by the U.S. for seven years, leading to the establishment of a democratic government.
• Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the Allied powers, fundamentally reshaping the nation's political landscape.

Important Dates

• World War II began on September 1, 1939, and concluded on September 2, 1945.

Additional Notes

• The Navajo language was utilized for coded communication due to its complexity, providing a crucial advantage in military operations.
• Joseph Stalin's leadership, coupled with the efforts of the Allied forces, played a significant role in defeating Axis powers.