Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best explains the significance of the Munich Agreement in 1938?
Which of the following best explains the significance of the Munich Agreement in 1938?
- It allowed Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, highlighting the policy of appeasement. (correct)
- It solidified the alliance between Germany and the Soviet Union.
- It demonstrated the unified front of Britain and France against German aggression.
- It officially marked the beginning of World War II.
What was the primary purpose of the Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939?
What was the primary purpose of the Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939?
- To create a unified economic bloc against capitalist nations.
- To divide Poland between the two nations.
- To ensure neither country would attack the other, allowing Germany to focus on the West. (correct)
- To establish a military alliance against Britain and France.
Why did Germany invade Denmark and Norway in April 1940?
Why did Germany invade Denmark and Norway in April 1940?
- To preemptively defend against a potential Allied invasion of Scandinavia.
- To establish naval and air bases for attacks against Great Britain. (correct)
- To incorporate these nations into the Third Reich as 'model' Aryan states.
- To secure vital iron ore resources for their war industry.
How did the German invasion of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg in May 1940 directly support their larger military objectives?
How did the German invasion of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg in May 1940 directly support their larger military objectives?
What was the strategic significance of the British rescue at Dunkirk?
What was the strategic significance of the British rescue at Dunkirk?
What was the immediate consequence of the Fall of France in June 1940?
What was the immediate consequence of the Fall of France in June 1940?
What was the main objective behind the German bombing of Great Britain during the summer and autumn of 1940?
What was the main objective behind the German bombing of Great Britain during the summer and autumn of 1940?
Why did Hitler ultimately abandon his plans to invade Great Britain after the Battle of Britain?
Why did Hitler ultimately abandon his plans to invade Great Britain after the Battle of Britain?
What motivated Mussolini to attack Egypt in September 1940?
What motivated Mussolini to attack Egypt in September 1940?
Why did Hitler intervene after British forces initially gained significant ground against Italian forces in North Africa?
Why did Hitler intervene after British forces initially gained significant ground against Italian forces in North Africa?
What was the primary goal of 'Operation Barbarossa,' launched by Germany in June 1941?
What was the primary goal of 'Operation Barbarossa,' launched by Germany in June 1941?
What was the strategic importance of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) to both Germany and the Soviet Union during the siege that began in 1941?
What was the strategic importance of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) to both Germany and the Soviet Union during the siege that began in 1941?
What was the intended outcome of the German siege of Leningrad?
What was the intended outcome of the German siege of Leningrad?
What event prompted the United States to officially enter World War II?
What event prompted the United States to officially enter World War II?
Prior to officially entering World War II, what was the initial position of the United States regarding the conflict?
Prior to officially entering World War II, what was the initial position of the United States regarding the conflict?
What action taken by German submarines ultimately led to Roosevelt ordering navy commanders to engage them?
What action taken by German submarines ultimately led to Roosevelt ordering navy commanders to engage them?
What strategic advantage did the Soviet Union gain by annexing Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in 1940?
What strategic advantage did the Soviet Union gain by annexing Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in 1940?
What was the significance of Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary joining the Axis powers in early 1941?
What was the significance of Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary joining the Axis powers in early 1941?
Why did Hitler order the invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece in April 1941?
Why did Hitler order the invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece in April 1941?
German soldiers withdrew from their attempt to take over Moscow. What was the primary reason for this?
German soldiers withdrew from their attempt to take over Moscow. What was the primary reason for this?
Flashcards
Munich Agreement
Munich Agreement
Agreement in September 1938 where Britain and France allowed Hitler to annex parts of Czechoslovakia.
Non-Aggression Pact
Non-Aggression Pact
Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in August 1939, agreeing not to attack each other for 10 years and secretly dividing territory.
Invasion of Poland
Invasion of Poland
Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1st, 1939, which triggered declarations of war by France and Britain.
Declaration of War
Declaration of War
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Soviet Occupation of Poland
Soviet Occupation of Poland
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Invasion of Denmark and Norway
Invasion of Denmark and Norway
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Invasion of Benelux
Invasion of Benelux
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Dunkirk Rescue
Dunkirk Rescue
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Fall of France
Fall of France
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Bombing of Great Britain
Bombing of Great Britain
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Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
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North African Attack
North African Attack
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Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
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Battle of Moscow
Battle of Moscow
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Siege of Leningrad
Siege of Leningrad
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Study Notes
Outbreak of WWII
- In September 1938, the Munich Agreement allowed Hitler to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, with Britain and France's consent.
- In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact, agreeing not to attack each other for 10 years and included a secret pact where Germany promised Stalin territory.
- Germany invaded Poland on September 1st, 1939.
- France and Britain declared war on Germany on September 3rd, 1939.
- The Soviet Union occupied Eastern Poland on September 17th, 1939.
- The Soviet Union annexed Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in 1939.
- Finland surrendered to the Soviet Union in March 1940.
- Germany invaded Denmark and Norway on April 9th, 1940, to attack Great Britain from the Norwegian and Danish coasts.
- Germany invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg in May 1940 as part of their strategy to attack France.
- British forces were rescued at Dunkirk from May 26th to June 4th, 1940.
- France surrendered to Germany on June 22nd, 1940.
- German forces began bombing Great Britain in the summer of 1940, shifting their focus to cities, especially London, on September 7th, 1940.
Key Engagements and Expansions
- The Battle of Britain took place from September 1940 to May 10th, 1941, ending when Hitler shifted his focus elsewhere due to British resistance.
- In September 1940, Mussolini attacked Egypt, a British colony, to gain access to the Middle East's oil fields in the North African Attack.
- By December 1940, British forces struck back in North Africa with other Allies.
- By February 1941, British forces had taken 130,000 Italian prisoners, which forced Hitler to intervene in Africa.
- Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary joined the Axis powers in early 1941.
- Yugoslavia and Greece refused to join the Axis powers, leading to Hitler's invasion in April 1941.
- Hitler launched "Operation Barbarossa," an attack on the Soviet Union, on June 22nd, 1941.
- In September 1941, Leningrad was completely cut off from the rest of the Soviet Union by November.
- Hitler wanted Leningrad to surrender by starving its 2.5 million residents.
- The German attempt to take over Moscow lasted from October 2nd, 1941, to March 1943, but German soldiers eventually withdrew.
U.S. Involvement
- Initially, the U.S. only sold arms and avoided direct military involvement in the war.
- After a German submarine fired on a U.S. boat on September 4th, 1941, Roosevelt ordered navy commanders to shoot on sight.
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