World War II and The Holocaust Key Terms

A collection of key terms related to World War II and The Holocaust for study and review.

Adolf Hitler

Leader of Nazi Germany and key figure in World War II.

Third Reich

The regime established by Hitler in Germany from 1933 to 1945.

Mein Kampf

Autobiography written by Adolf Hitler outlining his ideology.

Allied Powers

Coalition of nations including the USA, UK, China, and Russia fighting against Axis Powers. initially france

Axis Powers

Alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Lebensraum

German term for 'living space' used to justify expansionist policies.

Munich Conference

1938 meeting allowing Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland. ppl to afraid to say anyt

Appeasement

Policy of conceding to aggression by a warlike nation, notably utilized by Britain and France toward Germany.

Blitzkrieg

'Lightning war' tactic used by Germany for rapid military victories.

Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

Agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939 to avoid conflict.

Pearl Harbor

Surprise military attack by Japan on the US naval base on December 7, 1941.

Genocide

Deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.

Holocaust/Shoah

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

Nuremberg Laws

Anti-Semitic laws enacted by the Nazi regime in 1935.

Kristallnacht

A coordinated attack on Jews and Jewish property in Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

Concentration Camps

Camps used by the Nazis to detain, exploit, and exterminate millions.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, a turning point in the war against Germany.

War Crimes Tribunal

Court established to prosecute individuals for war crimes, notably the Nuremberg Trials.

Atomic Bomb

A weapon of mass destruction used by the US on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

V-E Day

Victory in Europe Day, marking the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany's surrender.

V-J Day

Victory over Japan Day, marking the end of World War II after Japan's surrender.

What is the Final Solution?

The Final Solution was the Nazi plan for the extermination of the Jewish people, culminating in the establishment of extermination camps.

What was D-Day?

D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944, when Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking a turning point in World War II.

What were the Nuremberg Trials?

The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute key leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes.

What is the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere?

The Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere was a concept promoted by Japan, aiming to create a bloc of Asian nations free from Western influence.

What was the Battle of Midway?

The Battle of Midway was a pivotal naval battle in June 1942, where the U.S. achieved a decisive victory against Japan, turning the tide in the Pacific.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Operation Barbarossa was the code name for the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, which marked a key turning point in World War II.

Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States who led the country during the Great Depression and much of World War II.

What role did Adolf Hitler have in World War II?

Adolf Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany, whose aggressive expansionist policies initiated World War II.

Who was Benito Mussolini?

Benito Mussolini was the Fascist leader of Italy who allied with Hitler during World War II.

What is appeasement in the context of WWII?

Appeasement refers to the policy of conceding to aggressive demands, notably by letting Hitler annex territories to avoid conflict.

Why was the Rhineland significant?

The Rhineland was demilitarized after WWI, and its reoccupation by Germany in 1936 violated the Treaty of Versailles and escalated tensions.

What was the Anschluss with Austria?

The Anschluss was the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938, reflecting Hitler’s expansionist aims.

What was the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact?

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was a treaty between Germany and the USSR, ensuring neither would attack the other in 1939.

Who was Joseph Stalin?

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union whose regime was characterized by totalitarianism and significant industrialization.

What triggered the Invasion of Poland?

The Invasion of Poland was initiated by Germany on September 1, 1939, leading France and Britain to declare war.

Who was Charles de Gaulle?

Charles de Gaulle was a French military leader who led the Free French forces during WWII and later became President of France.

What was Winston Churchill known for during WWII?

Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister known for his leadership during WWII and inspiring speeches against Nazi Germany. also bomb drop

What was the Phony War?

The Phony War was a period of inactivity on the Western Front after the invasion of Poland, lasting from September 1939 to April 1940.

What was the Battle of Britain?

The Battle of Britain was an air campaign waged by the German Luftwaffe against the UK in 1940, marking a significant turning point.

Who was Erwin Rommel?

Erwin Rommel, known as the 'Desert Fox', was a prominent German general famed for his leadership in North Africa during WWII.

What was Operation Sea Lion?

Operation Sea Lion was the code name for Nazi Germany's planned invasion of Britain, which was never carried out.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Operation Barbarossa was the code name for the German invasion of the Soviet Union, initiated on June 22, 1941.

What does 'General Winter' refer to?

'General Winter' refers to the harsh Russian winter that impacted Nazi Germany’s invasion during Operation Barbarossa.

What was Franklin D. Roosevelt's role during WWII?

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President of the United States who led the country through the Great Depression and WWII.

What was Japan's Pacific Campaign?

Japan's Pacific Campaign involved aggressive military operations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific during WWII.

Who was Emperor Hirohito?

Emperor Hirohito was the Emperor of Japan during WWII, serving as a symbol of the Japanese state.

What was the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere?

It was Japan's concept for regional dominance in Asia, promoting the idea of Asian nations united against Western imperialism.

Who was Isoroku Yamamoto?

Isoroku Yamamoto was the Japanese naval commander who planned the Pearl Harbor attack.

Who was General Hideki Tojo?

General Hideki Tojo was the Prime Minister of Japan during much of WWII, overseeing military decisions.

What happened at Pearl Harbor?

Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, leading the U.S. to enter WWII.

What was the Battle of Coral Sea?

Fought in May 1942, the Battle of Coral Sea was a naval battle that marked the first significant check on Japanese expansion.

What was the significance of the Battle of Midway?

The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, was a crucial U.S. victory that shifted the balance of naval power in the Pacific.

Who was Douglas MacArthur?

Douglas MacArthur was the U.S. general in charge of Allied forces in the Pacific during WWII.

What defines genocide?

Genocide is the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

What is the Holocaust, also known as Shoah?

The Holocaust refers to the systematic genocide of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime.

What is anti-Semitism?

Anti-Semitism is prejudice against, hatred of, or discrimination against Jews.

What was the Yellow Star/Star of David?

The Yellow Star was a badge Jews were required to wear in Nazi-occupied territories to identify themselves.

What is eugenics?

Eugenics is a belief in improving the genetic quality of the human population, historically misused by the Nazis to justify racial policies.

What role did Martin Luther play in history?

Martin Luther, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, challenged the Catholic Church, indirectly influencing anti-Jewish sentiment in Europe.

What were the Nuremberg Laws?

The Nuremberg Laws were racial laws enacted in 1935 that stripped Jews of citizenship and rights in Nazi Germany.

What was a ghetto during the Holocaust?

A ghetto was a confined area in which Jews were forced to live under harsh conditions before deportation to concentration camps.

What was Kristallnacht?

Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, was a violent pogrom against Jews in November 1938, marking a significant escalation in Nazi anti-Jewish policy.

Who was Elie Wiesel?

Elie Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor, author, and activist, best known for his book 'Night', recounting his experiences in concentration camps.

What is 'Night' by Elie Wiesel about?

'Night' is a memoir by Elie Wiesel describing his experiences and suffering in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.

What was Kindertransport/OSE?

Kindertransport was a rescue operation that brought Jewish children to safety in Britain before WWII.

What were Einsatzgruppen?

Einsatzgruppen were mobile killing units responsible for mass shootings of Jews and others during the Holocaust.

What were concentration camps?

Concentration camps were detention facilities where Jews and other political prisoners were imprisoned and often killed during the Holocaust.

Who was Dr. Mengele?

Dr. Mengele, known as the 'Angel of Death', was a Nazi doctor infamous for conducting horrific medical experiments at Auschwitz.

What does selection refer to in concentration camps?

Selection was the process where newly arrived prisoners were chosen for immediate execution or forced labor.

What was the Wannsee Conference?

The Wannsee Conference was a meeting in 1942 where Nazi officials coordinated the implementation of the Final Solution.

What was the Final Solution?

The Final Solution was the Nazi plan to exterminate the Jewish people, resulting in genocide during the Holocaust.

What were extermination camps?

Extermination camps were facilities where mass killings of Jews and other targeted groups were carried out systematically.

What was Auschwitz?

Auschwitz was the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp where over a million Jews were killed.

What was Auschwitz-Birkenau?

Auschwitz-Birkenau was the combined concentration and extermination camp, notorious for its scale and brutality.

What were gas chambers and Zyklon B?

Gas chambers were used to kill large numbers of people using poison gas, with Zyklon B being the chemical employed.

What does resistance refer to during the Holocaust?

Resistance refers to the efforts by individuals and groups who opposed and fought against Nazi oppression.

What does liberation mean in a Holocaust context?

Liberation refers to the emancipation of concentration camp prisoners by Allied forces at the end of WWII.

What was the Battle of Stalingrad?

The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle between Germany and the USSR, marking a turning point in favor of the Allies.

What was V-E Day?

V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, commemorates the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.

What were Kamikaze pilots?

Kamikaze pilots were Japanese suicide attackers who flew explosive-laden planes into Allied ships during the Pacific War.

What were the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa?

These battles were critical confrontations between the U.S. and Japan in the Pacific, leading to heavy casualties and strategic advantages.

Who was Harry S. Truman?

Harry S. Truman was the U.S. President who made the final decision to use atomic bombs against Japan, leading to the end of WWII.

What was the Atomic Bomb's significance?

The Atomic Bomb represented a new level of military power, used by the U.S. to force Japan's surrender in WWII.

What happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the Japanese cities bombed by the U.S. with atomic bombs in August 1945, resulting in Japan's surrender.

What is V-J Day?

V-J Day, or Victory over Japan Day, marks the day Japan surrendered, effectively ending World War II.

What were the Nuremberg Trials?

The Nuremberg Trials were post-war military tribunals aimed at prosecuting the leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes.

What was the significance of war crimes tribunals?

War crimes tribunals aimed to hold leaders accountable for atrocities and establish principles for international law.

What does occupation refer to post-WWII?

Occupation refers to the control of a territory by foreign military forces after the defeat in war, such as in Germany and Japan after WWII.

Which ocean must you cross when sailing from America to Europe?

The Atlantic Ocean.

Which country joined World War II after its Navy was attacked on a Sunday morning by Japan?

The United States.

Kamikaze pilots were from which country?

Japan.

In which ocean is Pearl Harbor located?

The Pacific Ocean.

Hitler’s invasion of which country started World War II?

Poland.

Japan sought to expand by taking land from which large country in the 1930s?

China.

Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of which country during World War II?

The United Kingdom.

Which country was divided under German occupation from 1940-1944?

France.

Which country was Mussolini the leader of?

Italy.

Adolf Hitler governed which country from 1933 to 1945?

Germany.

In which nation did Stalin guide the Great Purge and implement 5-year plans?

The Soviet Union.