World War II Notes

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended World War I; some victors were dissatisfied with its terms.

Fascism

A political ideology that favors authoritarian, dictatorial power and strong centralized government, often led by a singular leader.

Communism

A political theory advocating for a classless society where all property is publicly owned.

Stimson Doctrine

U.S. policy of non-recognition of territorial changes made by force, specifically Japan's takeover of Manchuria.

Good Neighbor Policy

United States policy aimed at improving relations with Latin American countries during the 1930s.

Pan-Americanism

The principle of cooperation among all countries in the Americas.

Cash-and-Carry Policy

A policy under the Neutrality Act of 1937 allowing belligerent nations to purchase goods from the U.S. provided they paid upfront and transported them.

Appeasement

The diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an aggressive power to avoid conflict.

Lend-Lease Act

A 1941 act allowing the U.S. to provide military aid to foreign nations during World War II.

Quarantine Speech

FDR's 1937 speech calling for an international quarantine against aggressor nations.

Internment Camps

Detention centers where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated during World War II.

Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC)

Government agency created to prohibit racial discrimination in hiring for defense industries.

D-Day

June 6, 1944, the day Allied forces launched a massive invasion at Normandy during World War II.

Potsdam Summit

The final meeting of the Allies in July 1945 to negotiate terms for the end of World War II.

Atomic Bomb

A weapon that uses nuclear reactions to release enormous amounts of energy; developed during World War II.

Manhattan Project

The secret U.S. project to develop the atomic bomb during World War II.

Nisei

Japanese Americans born in the U.S. and considered U.S. citizens.

Issei

Japanese immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before 1924 and were not granted U.S. citizenship.

U-Boat War

The naval conflict involving German U-boats during World War II, primarily threatening Allied shipping routes.

Operation Torch

The Allied invasion of North Africa during World War II.

The Big Three

The leaders of the U.S., Great Britain, and the USSR during World War II; FDR, Churchill, and Stalin.

Holocaust

The genocide of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime during World War II.

World Bank

International financial institution aimed at promoting economic growth and development.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Organization working to promote global economic stability and cooperation.

Bretton Woods Conference

A 1944 meeting where Allied nations created the IMF and the World Bank.

Dumbarton Oaks Conference

Meeting in 1944 where plans for the United Nations were discussed.

Four Freedoms

FDR's goals for the U.S. in the post-war world: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Zoot Suit Riots

Conflicts in 1943 in Los Angeles sparked by tensions between Hispanic American youth and white servicemen.

CORE (Congress of Racial Equality)

Civil rights organization that fought for African American rights and used nonviolent protest.

Japanese Expansion

Japan's territorial acquisition primarily in China and Southeast Asia leading up to and during World War II.

Italy's Role in WWII

Italy, led by Mussolini, aligned with the Axis Powers and participated in significant battles until its surrender.

Blitzkrieg

A fast and intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory, used by Germany in WWII.

Spanish Civil War

Conflict from 1936 to 1939, serving as a precursor to WWII, involving factions with support from Nazi Germany and Stalinist USSR.

Neutrality Acts

Laws passed in the 1930s aimed at ensuring that the U.S. would not become embroiled in foreign conflicts.

War Labor Board (WLB)

Government board established to mediate labor disputes during World War II.

War Production Board (WPB)

Agency that coordinated the production of war materials and mobilization of industry during WWII.