World War II: Key Events

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Questions and Answers

Which country did Germany invade on September 1, 1939, marking the start of World War II?

  • Czechoslovakia
  • Poland (correct)
  • France
  • Soviet Union

What was the primary reason for the Soviet Union's alliance with the United States during World War II?

  • Economic benefits from US aid
  • Shared democratic ideals
  • The German invasion of the Soviet Union (correct)
  • Fear of Japanese expansion

Which European country was the first to offer significant resistance against Germany?

  • Belgium
  • Poland (correct)
  • Great Britain
  • France

Which military operation, involving the United States, signified the beginning of the liberation of Europe from Hitler's control?

<p>Operation Overlord (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which naval battle effectively neutralized the Japanese threat to Hawaii and boosted Allied morale by securing victories across the Pacific?

<p>Battle of Midway (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Following its alignment with Germany and Italy, Japan aimed to invade which island territory?

<p>Midway (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event was described by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as "a date which will live in infamy"?

<p>The bombing of Pearl Harbor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term was used to describe Hitler's plan for the extermination of the Jewish people?

<p>Final Solution</p> Signup and view all the answers

What series of post-World War II trials prosecuted prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany?

<p>Nuremberg Trials</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mobilization in the United States for the war in Europe and Asia was possible because of a strained relationship between government and industry.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe one way American citizens assisted in the war effort on the home front.

<p>War bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the code name for the research and development project that produced the first nuclear weapons during World War II?

<p>The Manhattan Project (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the first atomic bomb?

<p>Gadget</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where was the first atomic bomb tested?

<p>New Mexico</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two Japanese cities were targeted with atomic bombs in August 1945?

<p>Hiroshima and Nagasaki (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the atomic bombs with the Japanese cities where they were dropped:

<p>Little Boy = Hiroshima Fat Man = Nagasaki</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the code name for the Allied invasion of western Europe?

<p>D-Day</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was President Truman's rationale for authorizing the use of atomic bombs on Japan?

<p>To force Japan's unconditional surrender and avoid a costly invasion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which European leader is known for standing up to Hitler and rallying British resistance during World War II?

<p>Winston Churchill (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where was the Battle of Britain primarily fought?

<p>Over the skies of Britain (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leader of Italy during World War II?

<p>Benito Mussolini</p> Signup and view all the answers

What island, located just south of Japan, was the site of the last major battle of the Pacific in World War II?

<p>Okinawa</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Lend-Lease Act enable the United States to do during World War II?

<p>Provide military aid to Allied nations without সরাসরি entering the war (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which countries formed the Axis Powers during World War II?

<p>Germany, Italy, Japan (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What alleged action by which nation caused concern about atomic weapons and led to a cold war?

<p>Soviet Union (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which country employed kamikaze pilots during World War II?

<p>Japan (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Kristallnacht?

<p>Night of Broken Glass</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following were code names for atomic bombs during World War II?

<p>Gadget and Little Boy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A payment made to cover the costs of a war is called a ______.

<p>reparation</p> Signup and view all the answers

A political philosophy that exalts nation and race above the individual is called ______.

<p>fascist</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] refers to a diplomatic policy of conceding to aggression in order to avoid conflict.

<p>Appeasement</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] is a policy of extending a nation's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.

<p>Imperialism</p> Signup and view all the answers

A formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations to cooperate for specific purposes is called an ______.

<p>alliance</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ was the aerial warfare branch of the German Wehrmacht during World War II.

<p>Luftwaffe</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] is an intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory.

<p>Blitzkrieg</p> Signup and view all the answers

Military personnel trained to be dropped by parachute into combat are called ______.

<p>paratroopers</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] is the state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict or disagreement.

<p>neutrality</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mein Kampf, meaning 'My Struggle', was an autobiographical manifesto by ______.

<p>Hitler</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ______ is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power, often oppressively.

<p>dictator</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] is the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

<p>Genocide</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ was the genocide of European Jews during World War II.

<p>Holocaust</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Which country did Germany invade to begin WWII?

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939.

Why did the Soviet Union ally with the U.S. in WWII?

The Soviet Union became an ally with the U.S. due to Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.

Which European country first resisted Germany?

The first European country to give Germany resistance was Poland.

What invasion began the liberation of Europe?

The invasion of Normandy (D-Day).

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Which battle ended the Japanese threat to Hawaii?

The Battle of Midway.

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Where did Japan seek to invade after aligning with Germany and Italy?

The United States.

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"A date which will live in infamy" described...

The attack on Pearl Harbor.

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What was Hitler's "Final Solution"?

The Nazi plan to exterminate the Jewish people.

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Describe the Nuremberg Trials

A series of military tribunals held by the Allied forces after World War II which were most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, judicial and economic leadership of Nazi Germany who planned, carried out, or otherwise participated in the Holocaust and other war crimes.

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Mobilization in the U.S. was possible due to government-industry cooperation. True or False?

True. The close relationship between government and industry enabled efficient mobilization.

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How did American citizens assist war efforts at home?

American citizens assisted war efforts through rationing, purchasing war bonds, and working in factories.

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What was the Manhattan Project?

A research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons.

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Name of the first atomic bomb?

Gadget.

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Where was the first atomic bomb tested?

The first atomic bomb was tested in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

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What 2 Japanese cities were bombed in August 1945?

Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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Names of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan?

Little Boy and Fat Man.

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Codename for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe?

Operation Overlord

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What was Truman's purpose in dropping the atomic bombs?

Truman's purpose was to force Japan's surrender and end World War II quickly, potentially saving lives by avoiding a land invasion.

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Which European leader stood up to Hitler?

Winston Churchill.

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Where was the Battle of Britain fought?

It was fought in the air.

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Who was the leader of Italy during this time?

Benito Mussolini.

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Last major battle of the Pacific?

Okinawa.

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What did the Lend-Lease Act allow the U.S. to do?

The Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S. to provide military aid to Allied nations without direct involvement in the war.

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Who were the Axis Powers?

Germany, Italy, and Japan.

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What war came about because of the Soviet Union gaining information on atomic weapons?

The Cold War.

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Which country used Kamikaze pilots?

Japan.

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What was Kristallnacht?

A series of coordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on 9–10 November 1938.

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What were Gadget, Little Boy, & Fat Man?

The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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Reparations

Payment for war damages.

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Fascist

A political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, centralized control, intense nationalism, and forcible suppression of opposition.

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Appeasement

Making concessions to an aggressor in order to avoid conflict.

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Imperialism

Extending a country's power and influence through colonization or military force.

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Alliance

A formal agreement between nations for mutual support and protection.

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Luftwaffe

German air force.

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Blitzkrieg

An intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory.

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Paratroopers

Soldiers who are dropped from airplanes to attack behind enemy lines.

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Neutrality

The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict.

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Reichstag

The supreme legislative body of the German Republic.

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Mein Kampf

"My Struggle," Hitler's autobiography and political manifesto.

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Dictator

A ruler with unlimited power.

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Genocide

The deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group.

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Holocaust

Systematic persecution and murder of Jews.

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Anti-Semitism

Hostility to or prejudice against Jews.

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Propaganda

Information used to promote a particular political cause or point of view.

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Study Notes

  • Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, initiating World War II.
  • The Soviet Union allied with the US during WWII primarily due to German aggression.
  • Poland was the first European country to offer considerable resistance to Germany.
  • The invasion of Normandy, known as D-Day, which involved the US, commenced the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany.
  • The Battle of Midway ended Japan's threat to Hawaii and bolstered further Allied victories.
  • After aligning with Germany and Italy, Japan sought to invade the island country of Midway.
  • President Roosevelt described the attack on Pearl Harbor as "a date which will live in infamy".
  • Hitler's "Final Solution" was a plan for the systematic genocide of the Jewish population.
  • The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals held by the Allied forces after World War II, which most notable prosecuted prominent members of the political, military, judicial, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany.
  • Mobilization in the U.S. was facilitated by close collaboration between the government and industry.
  • American citizens supported the war effort at home through various means, including rationing, war bonds, and working in factories.
  • The Manhattan Project was a research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons.
  • "Gadget" was the designation of the first nuclear bomb.
  • The first atomic bomb was tested in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
  • The two Japanese cities that were targeted with atomic bombs in August 1945 were Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
  • "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" were the names of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan.
  • Operation Overlord was the codename for the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.
  • President Truman authorized the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan aiming to bring a swift end to the war and avoid a land invasion of Japan.
  • Winston Churchill was a European leader known for standing up to Hitler.
  • The Battle of Britain primarily took place in the air.
  • Benito Mussolini was the leader of Italy during World War II.
  • The Battle of Okinawa was the last major battle in the Pacific, taking place on an island just south of Japan.
  • The Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S. to provide military aid to foreign nations during World War II.
  • The Axis powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan.
  • The Cold War emerged due to the Soviet Union's acquisition of atomic weapon information.
  • Japan was the country that used Kamikaze pilots.
  • Kristallnacht was a series of coordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on 9–10 November 1938.
  • Reparations: Compensation payments made after a war.
  • Fascist: An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
  • Appeasement: The act of giving in to an aggressor to avoid conflict.
  • Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.
  • Alliance: A union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations.
  • Luftwaffe: The German air force before and during World War II.
  • Blitzkrieg: An intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory.
  • Paratroopers: Soldiers trained to be dropped by parachute into combat.
  • Neutrality: The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict.
  • Royal Air Force: The United Kingdom's aerial warfare force.
  • Imperial Fleet: The naval forces of an empire.
  • Reichstag: The German Parliament building.
  • Mein Kampf: An autobiographical manifesto by Adolf Hitler, outlining his political ideology.
  • Dictator: A ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force.
  • Genocide: The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.
  • Holocaust: Genocide of European Jews during World War II.
  • Anti-Semitism: Hostility to or prejudice against Jews.
  • Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
  • Persecution: Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs.
  • Collaborators: People who cooperate with an enemy occupying their country.
  • Partisans: A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.
  • Iron Curtain: The notional barrier separating the former Soviet bloc and the West prior to the decline of communism that followed the political events in eastern Europe in 1989.
  • Warsaw Pact: A military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe.

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