World War II Events Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the European Theater?

An area of heavy fighting across Europe during World War II from 1 September 1939 to 8 May 1945.

What was the Lend Lease Policy?

A policy of isolationism

The U.S. provided military aid to Great Britain (correct)

An agreement for peace negotiations with Germany

A trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan

What is appeasement?

A policy of making concessions to an aggressor to avoid war.

Blitzkrieg is known as '_________ war'.

lightning Signup and view all the answers

What happened during Kristallnacht?

Mobs throughout Germany destroyed Jewish property and terrorized Jews on November 9, 1938. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Holocaust?

A methodical plan orchestrated by Adolf Hitler to ensure German supremacy through the elimination of Jews and other groups. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Dunkirk significant in World War II?

It was the evacuation of 330,000 Allied troops from the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Battle of Britain?

An aerial battle fought in 1940 between the German Luftwaffe and the British Royal Air Force. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the Fall of France?

Germans invaded through wooded ravines in northeastern France Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Maginot Line?

To protect France from a potential German invasion. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Stalingrad?

It was an unsuccessful German attack and the furthest extent of German advance into the Soviet Union. Signup and view all the answers

What occurred on D-Day?

160,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy to fight Nazi Germany on June 6, 1944. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Pacific Theater?

The war in the Pacific involving Japan and major battles across islands. Signup and view all the answers

What is island hopping?

A military strategy used by the Allies in the Pacific War to capture islands and establish bases. Signup and view all the answers

What happened during the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Japan conducted a surprise attack, destroying 18 U.S. ships and 200 aircraft on December 7, 1941. Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about Iwo Jima?

It was one of the bloodiest battles where American forces fought fiercely to gain control. Signup and view all the answers

What is Mt. Suribachi known for?

It is the highest point on Iwo Jima where U.S. Marines raised the American flag. Signup and view all the answers

What happened on the Bataan peninsula?

Japanese forces besieged American forces during World War II. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Bataan Death March?

A forced march of 60,000 Americans and Filipinos with little food and water. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

European Theater

Heavy fighting across Europe from September 1, 1939, to May 8, 1945.
Allies engaged Axis powers in three theaters: Eastern Front, Western Front, and Mediterranean Theatre.

Lend Lease Policy

U.S. supported Great Britain by supplying ammunition and old warships.
In exchange, the U.S. received military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Appeasement

Policy of conceding to aggressors to prevent conflict.
Notably associated with Neville Chamberlain's efforts to appease Adolf Hitler.

Blitzkrieg

"Lightning war" strategy utilized by German forces.
Effective in rapidly overwhelming Poland in 1939.

Kristallnacht

Occurred on November 9, 1938; referred to as "Night of the Broken Glass."
Mobs attacked Jewish properties and perpetrated violence against Jewish individuals across Germany.

Holocaust

Systematic extermination plan initiated by Adolf Hitler.
Targeted Jews, non-conformists, homosexuals, non-Aryans, and the disabled, leading to mass slaughter in concentration camps.

Dunkirk

Site of the massive evacuation of 330,000 Allied troops, primarily British, in 1940.
Troops retreated under enemy fire, marking a desperate situation.

Battle of Britain

Aerial conflict in 1940 between German Luftwaffe and British Royal Air Force.
British forces mounted significant resistance against German bombing campaigns.

Fall of France

France and Britain established the Maginot Line as a defensive strategy.
Germans circumvented the defenses and captured Paris, leading to terms of peace under German occupation.

Maginot Line

Defensive fortifications built by France against German invasion.
Stretched from Belgium to Switzerland; Germans operated through northern paths to bypass it.

Battle of Stalingrad

Unsuccessful German assault on the city from 1942 to 1943.
Marked the furthest advance of German forces into the Soviet Union.

D-Day

June 6, 1944, when 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy, France.
Supported by over 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft, marking a pivotal moment in the Allied campaign.

Pacific Theater

Warfare in the Pacific, with Japan attempting to dominate several islands.
Japan conducted 65 bombing raids extending towards Australia.

Island Hopping

Strategy employed by Allies in the Pacific to capture strategic islands.
Each base established served as a launch point for further military operations.

Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941, surprise attack by Japan on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Resulted in destruction of 18 U.S. ships and over 200 aircraft; prompted U.S. declaration of war.

Iwo Jima

Notable for being one of the bloodiest battles, characterized by fierce combat.
Marked an intense struggle as American forces approached the Japanese mainland.

Mt. Suribachi

The highest peak on Iwo Jima; site of the iconic flag-raising by U.S. Marines and a navy medic.

Bataan

Peninsula in the Philippines where American forces were besieged by Japanese troops.

Bataan Death March

Forcing approximately 60,000 Americans and Filipinos to march 100 miles under dire conditions.
Many marchers died or were executed during the grueling journey.

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Test your knowledge of key events in World War II with these flashcards. Learn about crucial concepts like the European Theater and the Lend Lease Policy. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike!