World War II Key Terms: Fascism, Axis Powers, D-Day, Holocaust & More

Fascism

A political system with strong centralized authority, nationalism, limited freedoms, and control by a dictator.

National Socialist (Nazi) Party

A political party led by Adolf Hitler that ruled Germany and promoted extreme nationalism, racism, and expansion before and during World War II.

Axis Powers

The alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Neutrality Act of 1935

A U.S. law passed to avoid involvement in foreign wars by banning arms sales to nations at war.

Popular Front

A political coalition formed to oppose fascism, especially in Europe during the 1930s.

Munich Conference

A 1938 meeting where European leaders allowed Germany to take part of Czechoslovakia to avoid war (appeasement policy).

Virulent

Extremely harmful, hostile, or severe.

Disillusion

A feeling of disappointment after discovering something is not as good as expected.

Belligerents

Nations or groups actively engaged in war.

Espoused

Supported or adopted an idea or cause.

Capitulated / Capitulating

Surrendered or gave up resistance.

America First Committee (AFC)

A group that opposed U.S. involvement in World War II before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Four Freedoms Speech

A 1941 speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt describing freedoms of speech, worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Lend-Lease Act

A law allowing the U.S. to supply weapons and aid to Allied nations during World War II.

Atlantic Charter

A statement by the U.S. and Britain outlining goals for the postwar world, including self-determination and economic cooperation.

Pearl Harbor

A Japanese surprise attack on a U.S. naval base in Hawaii in 1941 that led the U.S. into World War II.

Provocation

An action intended to anger or trigger a response.

"Double V" Campaign

A movement by African Americans during World War II calling for victory abroad and victory against racism at home.

Executive Order 8802

An order banning discrimination in defense industry jobs.

Executive Order 9066

An order authorizing the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy, France (June 6, 1944), marking a major turning point in World War II in Europe.

The Holocaust

The systematic murder of about six million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany during World War II.