Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is Totalitarianism?
What is Totalitarianism?
A political system where there is only one political party that controls everything and does not allow any opposition.
What is Communism?
What is Communism?
An economic and political philosophy based on the belief that societies are shaped by their economic systems.
What is Fascism?
What is Fascism?
A far-right, ultranationalist ideology that emphasizes a single-party state led by an authoritarian leader.
What is Militarism?
What is Militarism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a Dictatorship?
What is a Dictatorship?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is Ernie Pyle?
Who is Ernie Pyle?
Signup and view all the answers
What two things shaped American foreign policy before World War II?
What two things shaped American foreign policy before World War II?
Signup and view all the answers
The United States truly practiced isolationism in the years leading up to World War II.
The United States truly practiced isolationism in the years leading up to World War II.
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Good Neighbor Policy entail?
What did the Good Neighbor Policy entail?
Signup and view all the answers
The Good Neighbor Policy was entirely successful in promoting positive relations with Latin America.
The Good Neighbor Policy was entirely successful in promoting positive relations with Latin America.
Signup and view all the answers
The Neutrality Acts were designed to prevent the sale of arms to nations at war.
The Neutrality Acts were designed to prevent the sale of arms to nations at war.
Signup and view all the answers
The US was unprepared for war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
The US was unprepared for war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
Signup and view all the answers
What was the "Arsenal of Democracy" program, also known as the Lend-Lease Act?
What was the "Arsenal of Democracy" program, also known as the Lend-Lease Act?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened on December 7, 1941, that triggered America's entry into World War II?
What happened on December 7, 1941, that triggered America's entry into World War II?
Signup and view all the answers
Germany declared war on the United States after Pearl Harbor.
Germany declared war on the United States after Pearl Harbor.
Signup and view all the answers
The US primarily focused its military efforts in Europe throughout World War II.
The US primarily focused its military efforts in Europe throughout World War II.
Signup and view all the answers
What was the Bataan Death March?
What was the Bataan Death March?
Signup and view all the answers
The Bataan Death March was the largest surrender by American troops in history.
The Bataan Death March was the largest surrender by American troops in history.
Signup and view all the answers
What was the Battle of Midway?
What was the Battle of Midway?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the US Island Hopping strategy?
What was the US Island Hopping strategy?
Signup and view all the answers
The first US troops to fight the Nazis were sent to Europe in 1942.
The first US troops to fight the Nazis were sent to Europe in 1942.
Signup and view all the answers
The Allied forces in Europe primarily focused their efforts on invading Sicily and Italy in 1943 and 1944.
The Allied forces in Europe primarily focused their efforts on invading Sicily and Italy in 1943 and 1944.
Signup and view all the answers
When did D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, occur?
When did D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, occur?
Signup and view all the answers
The United States played the primary role in liberating Europe from Nazi control during World War II.
The United States played the primary role in liberating Europe from Nazi control during World War II.
Signup and view all the answers
When did the European War end?
When did the European War end?
Signup and view all the answers
When did the Asian War end?
When did the Asian War end?
Signup and view all the answers
What were some of the ways World War II changed the United States?
What were some of the ways World War II changed the United States?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
World War II Terms
- Totalitarianism: A system where a single political party controls everything and suppresses opposition.
- Communism: An economic and political philosophy where economic systems shape society.
- Fascism: A type of ultranationalism, characterized by a one-party state under authoritarian rule.
- Militarism: A country's emphasis on strengthening its armed forces to gain power.
- Dictatorship: A form of rule where one person holds complete power, often obtained and maintained through force.
World War II - Crash Course Video - Part 1
Isolationism
- Isolationism was a prevalent US foreign policy, characterized by limited involvement in global conflicts.
- Arms reduction negotiations aimed at restricting the number of battleships a nation could possess were part of this approach.
- The US also pursued a policy of limited intervention in Latin American politics, labeled the Good Neighbor Policy.
- In practice, the US's good neighbor policy was sometimes inconsistent and varied from nation to nation, and US involvement in some countries' internal politics can be viewed in both a positive and negative light.
US Foreign Policy Influences
- This policy was primarily shaped by the Great Depression alongside the rise of isolationist sentiment.
Neutrality Acts
- Neutrality Acts were put into place to prohibit the sale of arms to belligerents.
1940 - First Peacetime Draft
- The US instituted a conscription program for the first time in peacetime.
Arsenal of Democracy / Lend-Lease Act
- The Lend-Lease Act provided military aid to countries that agreed to repay it, bolstering the Allied forces.
Pearl Harbor Attack
- On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
- Following this attack, US declared war on Japan.
- Subsequently, Germany declared war against the US.
- World War II became a global conflict.
Asian Theater
- In the initial stages of the conflict, more US troops were deployed to Asia rather than Europe.
- The Bataan Death March was a significant event affecting American and Filipino troops.
- The Battle of Midway (June 1942) was a pivotal turning point in the Pacific, resulting in a US victory.
- US's island hopping strategy was employed, with a focus on capturing strategically important islands in the Pacific to use as bases for attacking Japan.
European Theater
- The US first engaged Nazi forces in northern Africa (November 1942).
- The allies achieved success against Rommel in the desert, setting the stage for an invasion of Europe.
- Allies invaded Sicily and Italy in 1943 and 1944.
- D-Day (June 6, 1944) saw the US, British, and Canadian troops invade Normandy.
- The Soviet Union (Russia) played a leading role in the fighting in Europe.
War Endings
- European War ended on May 8/9, 1945.
- The Asian War ended in August 1945, following the use of the atomic bomb.
World War II - Crash Course Video - Part 2 - Homefront
Economic Changes
- The war led to a rebound from the Great Depression.
- US Gross National Product increased significantly.
- Businesses prospered due to government contracts.
- The government ramped up its spending that stimulated industrial growth.
Industrial Hub Expansion
- The West Coast emerged as a main industrial center.
- Seattle became an important hub for shipping and aircraft manufacturing.
- California received a large portion of federal funding, fueling industrial development.
- Los Angeles became a significant manufacturing center.
Labor and Women's Role
- Organized labor continued to grow alongside the rise of unions.
- Women's participation in the workforce increased, with a significant portion joining factories.
- The number of women working climbed to a third of the civilian workforce.
FDR's Four Freedoms
- FDR outlined four essential freedoms: speech, worship, from want, and from fear.
- A fifth freedom was also implicitly suggested by the rise of business influence and entrepreneurship.
Racial Issues and Discrimination
- Despite the war effort, racial tensions and discrimination were persistent (race riots in Detroit).
- Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans contributed to the war effort.
- Internment camps were established for Japanese Americans during the war.
- Executive Order 8802 was issued to prohibit discrimination in defense hiring and to support civil rights.
- African Americans served more than one million personnel during the war.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge of important terms related to World War II, including concepts like totalitarianism and fascism, as well as the significance of isolationism in U.S. foreign policy. This quiz covers key political philosophies and approaches that shaped the era. Challenge yourself and learn about the historical context of these terms!
