World War II Key Questions

Study Notes

World War II Axis Powers

Composed of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Aimed to keep the United States from entering the war.

World War II Allied Powers

Includes Great Britain, France, and Poland.
In 1941, the Soviet Union and the United States joined as Allies.

U.S. Entry into World War II

U.S. entered the war following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
The attack prompted a declaration of war against Japan and Germany.

Leaders of Axis Powers

Germany was led by Adolf Hitler.
Italy was led by Benito Mussolini.
Japan was represented by Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.

Leaders of Allied Powers

Great Britain's leader was Winston Churchill.
France was led by Charles de Gaulle.
The Soviet Union was led by Joseph Stalin.
The United States was initially led by Franklin D. Roosevelt and later by Harry S. Truman after Roosevelt's death.

Beginning of World War II

Fighting in Europe commenced on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland.
Prior annexations of Czechoslovakia and Austria did not provoke military responses from France or Great Britain.
Poland's invasion resulted in both nations declaring war on Germany.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor from 7:50 to 10:00 AM.
The attack resulted in the destruction of 18 U.S. ships and 200 aircraft, with approximately 3,000 American losses and fewer than 100 Japanese losses.
The United States declared war on Japan and subsequently on Germany.

Significance of D-Day

D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944, with over a million troops landing at Normandy.
This largest invasion force in history initiated the liberation of France, marking a turning point in World War II.

End of World War II in Europe

Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945, along with Eva Braun.
Berlin surrendered to Soviet forces on May 2, 1945.
An official unconditional surrender was ratified on May 8, 1945, ending the war in Europe.

Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa

Fought between February and June 1945, they were critical battles in the Pacific theater.
Japanese losses exceeded 130,000, while American losses were more than 19,000.
The intense fighting convinced President Truman to use atomic bombs instead of invading Japan.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945, marking the first use of an atomic bomb on a populated area.
Nagasaki was bombed on August 9, 1945, further showcasing Allied military power.
These bombings expedited Japan's surrender.

End of World War II

Japan formally surrendered on August 15, 1945.
The conclusion of World War II marked the beginning of the nuclear age and the onset of a Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Description

Test your knowledge on crucial aspects of World War II with this set of flashcards. Learn about the Axis and Allied Powers, and understand the reasons behind the United States' entry into the war. Perfect for history enthusiasts and students alike.