US History in Film: Unit 4 Test Study Guide

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to World War II and American history.

World War II

A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations.

Allied Powers

The coalition of countries opposing the Axis Powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, and China.

Axis Powers

The coalition of countries led by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

American Isolationism

A policy adopted by the United States in the post-WWI era characterized by a reluctance to engage in foreign conflicts.

Neutrality Acts

Legislation passed in the 1930s aimed at preventing the United States from becoming involved in foreign wars.

Lend-Lease Act

A 1941 law allowing the U.S. to supply military aid to Allied nations, marking a shift from neutrality to involvement.

Dunkirk Evacuation

The 1940 evacuation of Allied soldiers from France, where over 300,000 troops were rescued despite heavy enemy fire.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, which was a significant turning point in the war.

VE Day (Victory in Europe Day)

May 8, 1945; the date that marked the official surrender of Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.

VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day)

August 15, 1945; the day Japan announced its surrender, marking the end of World War II in the Pacific.

Manhattan Project

A secret U.S. project during World War II aimed at developing the atomic bomb.

Battle of Midway

A 1942 naval battle that was a turning point in the Pacific Theater, resulting in the destruction of four Japanese carriers.

Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty that formally ended World War I; its harsh terms contributed to the instability leading to World War II.

Pearl Harbor

The site of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States entering World War II.

Fascism

A political ideology characterized by authoritarianism, extreme nationalism, and suppression of dissent, prominent in countries like Italy and Germany during WWII.