World War II MCQ Study Guide

World War II MCQ Study Guide

Who was General Hideki Tojo?

PM of Japan for much of WWII; key military leader responsible for attack on Pearl Harbor

What was the Rape of Nanjing?

A mass atrocity committed by Japanese troops in the Chinese city of Nanjing, involving widespread killings, rapes, and destruction

What were war bonds?

Financial instruments sold by the US government to raise money for the war effort, encouraging citizens to invest in the war

What was the purpose of victory gardens?

They were homegrown gardens promoted during WWII to increase food supply and reduce demand on public resources

Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?

To neutralize the US Pacific Fleet and secure access to natural resources in Southeast Asia

What was Japanese internment?

The forced relocation and imprisonment of Japanese Americans during WWII due to fears of espionage

What was Korematsu v. United States

A Supreme Court case upholding the government’s decision to intern Japanese Americans during WWII because Korematsu went against the internment by not reporting

What contributions did women make to the workforce during WWII?

Women worked in factories, shipyards, and other industries of roles traditionally held by men; they also served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC)

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

The first African Americans military aviators in the US Army Air Corps, known for their exceptional skill and bravery; they served with distinction during WWII

What was the Double V Campaign?

A movement advocated for victory against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at homeWh

What was the Bataan Death March?

A brutal forced march of American and Filipino poisoners of war by the Japanese, resulting in thousands of deaths

What was the significance of the Battle of Midway?

A turning point in the Pacific Theater where the US defeated Japan, weakening their naval power

What was the Manhattan Project?

A secret US project to develop atomic bombs, which were eventually dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

What were the Zoot Suit Riots?

Conflicts in Los Angeles during WWII between US servicemen and Mexican American youths over cultural tensions

What happened with the St. Louis Ship?

It was a ship carrying Jewish refugees that was denied entry to several countries, including the US, forcing passengers to return to Europe, where many died in the Holocaust

What were the Neutrality Acts?

A series of laws passed in the 1930’s aimed at preventing US involvement in foreign wars by restricting trade and financial aid to warring nations

What was the purpose of the Lend-Lease Act?

To provide military aid to Allied nations during WWII while keeping the US officially neutral

What was the significance of the Atlantic Charter?

A joint declaration between the US and the UK outlining post-war goals for self-determination and global peace

What was Executive Order 9066?

The order signed by President Roosevelt, authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII

What were the “Big Three” countries in the Allied Powers?

The US, the Soviet Union, and the UK

What was Operation Overlord?

The code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day) on June 6, 1944

Who were the 442nd Infantry Regiment?

A unit of Japanese American soldiers who became one of the most decorated regiments in US history?

What was the “island-hopping” strategy?

A US military strategy in the Pacific that involved capturing specific islands and using them as bases to advance toward Japan

What were the consequences of dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

The destruction led to Japan’s surrender, but caused immense civilian casualties and long-term radiation effects

What was the Bracero Program?

An agreement between the US and Mexico that allowed Mexican laborers to work in the US during WWII

What was the significance of the Yalta Conference?

A meeting between the Allied leaders to discuss post-war Europe and plans for the United Nations (UN)

What were kamikaze attacks?

Suicide missions by Japanese pilots who crashed planes into Allied ships to cause maximum damage