3/24 Questions Cold War Beginnings & End of WWII (Pacific + Early Cold War)

Why was the Philippines important in 1944?

MacArthur promised to return and the U.S. invaded despite Navy concerns

What was the Battle of Leyte Gulf?

Largest naval battle of WWII called “last stand of the tin can sailors”

Why was Iwo Jima important?

It provided airfields for bombing Japan and was heavily fortified

What made Iwo Jima famous?

Joe Rosenthal’s photo of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi

Why was Okinawa important?

It was a Japanese home island and a major step before invading Japan

What were kamikazes?

Japanese suicide pilots who crashed into U.S. ships

What was the firebombing campaign?

B-29 bombers burned Japanese cities causing massive destruction

What happened at the Potsdam Conference?

Truman Stalin and Churchill met; U.S. demanded Japan surrender

Why didn’t Japan surrender at Potsdam?

It rejected the demand for unconditional surrender

What happened on August 6 1945?

The U.S. dropped “Little Boy” atomic bomb on Hiroshima

What happened on August 9 1945?

The U.S. dropped “Fat Man” atomic bomb on Nagasaki

What was the result of the atomic bombs?

Mass destruction and pressure on Japan to surrender

What is V-J Day?

August 15 1945 when Japan surrendered ending WWII

Where was the official surrender signed?

On the USS Missouri on September 2 1945

Why was the United Nations created?

To keep peace and prevent future wars

What is the UN General Assembly?

Main body where all member nations vote

What does the Security Council do?

Handles major conflicts; has 5 permanent members

What does the Economic and Social Council do?

Works on global economic and social issues

What is the Secretariat?

Manages daily UN operations from New York City

What is the International Court of Justice?

Settles disputes between nations

What was the Trusteeship Council?

Helped colonies become independent nations

What is UNESCO?

Promotes education science and culture worldwide

What is UNICEF?

Supports children around the world

What is the WHO?

Handles global health issues

Who was George Kennan?

U.S. expert on the USSR who promoted containment

What is containment?

U.S. policy to stop the spread of communism

What is the Iron Curtain?

Division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe

What is the Truman Doctrine?

U.S. policy to give aid to countries resisting communism