WWII Key Terms and People
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Questions and Answers

What event is believed to have contributed significantly to Hitler's defeat during World War II?

  • The Battle of Dunkirk (correct)
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • The Battle of Normandy
  • The Battle of Britain

What mistake did Hitler make that allowed the RAF to recover during the Battle of Britain?

  • Delaying the invasion of Britain
  • Ordering an attack on the Soviet Union
  • Underestimating the RAF's capabilities
  • Bombing Berlin in retaliation to an accidental bombing (correct)

What role did Britain's technology play in the outcome of the Battle of Britain?

  • Increased manpower from the colonies turned the tide
  • Use of atomic weapons ensured dominance
  • Advanced radar systems provided strategic advantages (correct)
  • Superior naval forces secured victory

What was one of the primary consequences of Operation Barbarossa for Germany?

<p>Fighting a war on two fronts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1937 lead to increased tensions with the US?

<p>It threatened US territory in the Pacific (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Hitler's initial expectation related to the Blitzkrieg strategy during the invasion of the USSR?

<p>A quick and decisive victory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategy did Stalin employ to hinder the progress of German forces during Operation Barbarossa?

<p>Burning buildings to deny resources (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following allies did the USSR align with after Germany broke the non-aggression pact?

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

What was one of the consequences of the Nuremberg Laws for Jews in Germany?

<p>Jews were not recognized as citizens of the German state. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common form of oppression faced by Jewish individuals in concentration camps?

<p>They wore identifying numbers as tattoos. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action was part of life in the camps for Jewish individuals before execution?

<p>They were forced to dig their own graves. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant argument against appeasement with Germany?

<p>It allowed Germany to expand its territory. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence for women in the concentration camps?

<p>They faced assaults and had their heads shaved. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the reasoning used by Nazis during the Nuremberg Trials?

<p>They claimed to be following orders from Hitler. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Allies pursue a policy of appeasement towards Germany?

<p>To avoid the costs and losses associated with another war. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the Nuremberg Trials, how did the Allies ensure fairness for the defendants?

<p>They ensured defendants had proper legal representation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Maginot Line?

<p>To serve as a line of defense against German invasions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic allowed Germany to bypass the Maginot Line?

<p>The blitzkrieg tactic (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for the SS St. Louis and its passengers when they reached Cuba?

<p>They were denied entry and forced back to Europe (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the function of the Gestapo during Hitler's rule?

<p>To enforce laws and suppress opposition (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Lebensraum' refer to?

<p>A concept of territorial expansion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which technological advancement gave Britain an advantage during the Battle of Britain?

<p>Radar systems (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of the Manhattan Project?

<p>To create nuclear weapons (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Mussolini?

<p>A leader of a fascist dictatorship in Italy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was C.D. Howe's role during WWII in Canada?

<p>Minister of Munitions and Supplies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which project did Harry Truman initiate to help end the war in the Pacific?

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

What was Margaret Hayworth's significance to the Canadian war effort?

<p>Her death inspired public support for joining the war (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unspeakable actions is Josef Mengele known for during the Holocaust?

<p>Conducting cruel medical experiments on prisoners (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which British Prime Minister was succeeded by Winston Churchill?

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

Who was Louis Slotin and what happened to him during the Manhattan Project?

<p>A Canadian scientist who died from radiation exposure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Munich Agreement symbolize according to Neville Chamberlain?

<p>A successful strategy to maintain peace (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of Joseph Goebbels in the Nazi regime?

<p>Nazi propaganda minister (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was VJ Day significant for?

<p>Japan's agreement to unconditional surrender (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which countries were involved in dividing Germany after World War II?

<p>Britain, France, The US, and The USSR (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did women contribute to the workforce during World War II?

<p>By filling roles in factories, farms, and other sectors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the average food ration for Jews in ghettos in 1941?

<p>184 calories (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the Nuremberg Laws?

<p>They defined who was considered German (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary condition of life in the ghettos?

<p>Controlled food supply by German authorities (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did women fulfill in the armed forces during World War II?

<p>Filling various positions including mechanics and nurses (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Berlin Wall built?

<p>To stop the influx of refugees from East Berlin to West Berlin (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one major factor that allowed Hitler to focus resources in the West?

<p>The Non-Aggression Pact with Russia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does VE Day signify?

<p>The collapse of Nazi Germany (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a method Canadians used to support the war effort on the homefront?

<p>Participating in military training (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the policy of appeasement contribute to the war?

<p>It allowed Hitler time to gather resources and annex countries (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of WWII that classifies it as a total war?

<p>Civilians actively contributed to the war effort. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed most significantly to Germany's desire for revenge after WWI?

<p>The punitive nature of the Treaty of Versailles (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Royal Air Force (RAF) play during WWII?

<p>Defending Britain against German air attacks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one major consequence of American isolationism during the lead-up to WWII?

<p>It emboldened Hitler's confidence to expand aggressively. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Maginot Line

A line of fortifications built by France along its border with Germany, intended to prevent a German invasion.

Blitzkrieg

The tactic used by Germany to quickly and decisively defeat their enemies, often using concentrated force and surprise attacks.

Gestapo

A secret Nazi police force responsible for spying on citizens and enforcing Hitler's will.

Lebensraum

The Nazi belief that Germany needed to expand its territory, especially to the east (Soviet Union), to secure more living space for its people.

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Anschluss

The unification of Austria and Germany, orchestrated by Adolf Hitler in 1938.

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Manhattan Project

The project to develop nuclear weapons by the United States during World War II, ultimately leading to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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VJ Day

The day Japan agreed to unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in the Pacific Theater.

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Mussolini

The leader of Fascist Italy during World War II, who was eventually overthrown and imprisoned.

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Appeasement

The policy of giving in to demands from an aggressive power in attempt to prevent war.

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Herman Goering

The second in command of the Nazi Party and head of the German Air Force.

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Winston Churchill

The leader of Britain during World War II, known for his blunt speeches and determination.

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Joseph Goebbels

Hitler's Minister of Propaganda, responsible for spreading Nazi ideology and promoting anti-Semitism.

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Adolf Hitler

The dictator of Germany during World War II, responsible for the Holocaust and starting the war.

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Louis Slotin

A Canadian scientist who worked on the Manhattan Project and accidentally exposed himself to fatal radiation.

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Albert Einstein

A German Jew who alerted the US to Germany's nuclear weapons program, leading to the Manhattan Project.

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Margaret Hayworth

A ten-year-old girl from Hamilton, Ontario, who died on the Athenia, her death symbolising Canada's involvement in the war.

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Failure of the League of Nations

The failure of the League of Nations to prevent German aggression and expansion beyond the limits set out in the Treaty of Versailles contributed significantly to the outbreak of World War II.

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American Isolationism

The United States was initially isolated in the early stages of World War II, prioritizing staying out of foreign conflicts. This allowed Hitler to gain confidence and feel he could overcome Britain and France without US interference.

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Non-Aggression Pact

This agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, allowed Germany to avoid battling on two fronts. This freed up Germany's resources to focus on conquering Western Europe.

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Punitive Nature of the Treaty of Versailles

The punitive nature of the Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh conditions on Germany after World War I, including heavy reparations and territorial losses. This created deep feelings of resentment and a desire for revenge in Germany, which contributed to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party.

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Hitler's Relentless Ambition

Hitler's insatiable ambition, coupled with his belief in German supremacy, drove him to conquer Europe. This aggressive expansionism was a major catalyst for World War II.

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Total War

World War II is considered a total war because it encompassed not only the battlefield but also the home front, impacting almost all aspects of society.

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Canadian Homefront

Canadians on the homefront played a crucial role in supporting the war effort. They made sacrifices, contributing financial resources, participating in rationing, and taking on roles outside their traditional duties.

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Dunkirk Evacuation

The evacuation of British soldiers from Dunkirk, France, to England, after being surrounded by German forces.

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Battle of Britain

The first major air battle in history, fought between Britain and Germany. It was a turning point in the war, showing Germany's air force wasn't invincible.

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Operation Barbarossa

Hitler's plan to quickly invade and defeat the Soviet Union. It initially seemed successful, but the vast Russian landscape and harsh winter conditions proved detrimental to the German forces.

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Two-Front War

Hitler's decision to attack the Soviet Union while already fighting a war against Britain. This stretched German resources thin and put them on two fronts.

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US Economic Sanctions on Japan

The US imposed economic sanctions on Japan to prevent their expansion in Asia. This significantly hurt the Japanese economy, making them desperate for resources.

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Size of Russia

The main reason why Hitler's Blitzkrieg failed against the Soviets. The vast size of Russia made it impossible to quickly defeat the Soviet army.

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Harsh Russian Winter

During their invasion of the USSR, German soldiers were unprepared for the harsh Russian winter, leading to many freezing to death. The freezing temperature proved to be a significant factor in their eventual defeat.

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Allied Response to Soviet invasion

When the USSR was attacked by Germany, they allied themselves with Britain and other countries to fight against the Axis powers. This united many countries against the aggressive actions of Germany.

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Anti-Semitism

The hatred directed towards Jewish people by the Nazi party, fueled by the belief that Jews were responsible for Germany's loss in World War I.

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Ghettos

Overcrowded, segregated areas where Jews were forced to live under harsh conditions, with limited access to food, water, and sanitation.

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Nuremberg Laws

Laws implemented by the Nazi regime that systematically stripped Jews of their citizenship and rights, paving the way for their persecution.

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Women's Role in WWII

The process by which women took on jobs and roles traditionally held by men during World War II, contributing to the war effort in various ways.

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Holocaust

A systematic killing of Jews, considered genocide, orchestrated by Nazi Germany during World War II.

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Nuremberg Trials

The trials held after World War II to prosecute Nazi leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Transportation to Camps

The process of transferring Jews from ghettos to concentration camps, a critical step in the genocide of Jewish people.

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What were the Nuremberg Laws?

The Nuremberg Laws were a set of laws passed in Nazi Germany in 1935 that stripped Jews of their citizenship and rights.

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The Nuremberg Laws definition of a Jew

The Nuremberg Laws defined Jews as people with at least three Jewish grandparents, regardless of their religion or identity.

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Life in the Extermination Camps

The extermination camps were places where Jews and other minorities were systematically murdered by the Nazis. Jews were forced to dig their own graves before they were executed. They were also forced into gas vans and killed by fumes. Many died on the journey to the camps.

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Medical Experiments in Concentration Camps

Medical experiments were conducted on prisoners in concentration camps without anesthesia. These experiments were cruel and often resulted in death or serious injury.

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What were the Nuremberg Trials?

The Nuremberg Trials were a series of trials held after World War II to prosecute Nazi war criminals.

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Defense of the Nazis after the war

The Nazis' defense was that they were just following orders given by Hitler. This was not considered a justifiable defense. They were severely punished including death, imprisonment.

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Appeasement before WWII

Appeasement was a policy of giving in to the demands of an aggressive power to avoid war. The Allies appeased Germany, thinking it would prevent war, but it ultimately gave Germany the confidence to continue its aggressive expansion.

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Arguments against appeasement

Appeasement failed because it allowed Germany to expand and continue to take over other countries. Hitler's confidence grew and it led to the Second World War.

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Study Notes

WWII Key Terms and People

  • Totalitarianism: A system of government characterized by a single, powerful leader, nationalism, strict laws, censorship, propaganda, and total conformity to the leader. It's characterized by a state run by terror. Examples include fascism and communism.
  • Isolationism: A policy of avoiding foreign entanglements and concentrating on domestic matters, rather than international affairs.
  • Final Solution: Nazi Germany's plan to eliminate Jewish people through systematic extermination, culminating in extermination camps.
  • Aryan: A concept in Nazi ideology, describing a superior race of people, typically characterized by blond hair and blue eyes.
  • Kamikaze: Japanese pilots who deliberately crashed their planes into enemy targets.
  • Blitzkrieg: A German military strategy, emphasizing surprise attacks and rapid movement, used to quickly defeat opponents in short, decisive campaigns.
  • Non-Aggression Pact: A treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union, agreeing not to fight each other and secretly dividing Poland.
  • Genocide: The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
  • Munich Agreement: An agreement which allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in exchange for a promise not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia. It's known as a policy of appeasement.
  • Mein Kampf: Hitler's autobiographical book, which outlined his political ideology and views on the world.
  • Camp X: A top-secret training facility in Canada that trained Allied military personnel in various skills, including demolition and clandestine operations.
  • Enola Gay: The bomber plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
  • Plebiscite: A special vote on a specific proposal, often concerning an important issue or change in policy.
  • Kristallnacht: ("Night of Broken Glass") A violent pogrom against Jews in Germany, marked by widespread destruction of Jewish property and violence against Jewish people.
  • Luftwaffe: The German air force.
  • Corvette: A small, fast torpedo-armed ship used for convoy protection in World War II.
  • Maginot Line: A line of fortifications along the French border with Germany, intended to prevent a German invasion.

Key WWII Events and Concepts

  • Athenia: A British passenger liner torpedoed by a German submarine before the war had officially begun.
  • Appeasement: The policy of giving in to an aggressor's demands in the hope of avoiding war.
  • VJ Day: The day Japan surrendered to the Allied forces, ending World War II.
  • VE Day: Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of the war in Europe.
  • Operation Barbarossa: Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.
  • Battle of Britain: A major air battle between Great Britain and Germany, ultimately resulting in victory for Britain.
  • Pearl Harbour: The Japanese surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that prompted the US to enter World War II.
  • Battle of the Atlantic: The prolonged naval war between Allied and Axis powers in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • D-Day: The allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France.
  • Holocaust: The systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by Nazi Germany.
  • Ghettos: Sectioned-off areas in major cities where Jews and other persecuted groups were forcibly concentrated.
  • Nuremberg Laws: Laws enacted by Nazi Germany that took away citizenship and rights from Jewish people.
  • Nuremberg Trials: A series of military trials held after the war to prosecute major Nazi war criminals.
  • Denazification: The process of eliminating Nazi ideology and influence from German society and institutions after World War II.

WWII Political Concepts

  • Fascism: A form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.

People

  • Adolf Hitler: Leader of Nazi Germany during World War II.
  • Winston Churchill: Prime Minister of the UK during World War II.
  • Joseph Stalin: Leader of the Soviet Union during World War II.
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt: President of the US during World War II.
  • Hideki Tojo: Prime Minister of Japan during World War II.

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Test your knowledge on important terms and figures from World War II. This quiz covers key concepts such as totalitarianism, isolationism, and significant strategies employed during the war. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike!

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