History - WW2

What is appeasement in the context of WWII?

Appeasement is giving in to the demands of an aggressor to keep peace.

What were the reasons for the policy of appeasement by Britain and France before WWII?

1. France was too weak to fight without Britain. 2. Hitler was seen as less evil than Stalin and communism. 3. There was a prevailing pacifism and disgust towards the destruction of WWI.

What event marked the start of WWII?

The German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.

What was the Munich Conference?

A meeting where Britain and France appeased Hitler, allowing him to annex the rest of Czechoslovakia.

What was the Maginot Line?

A line of defense built by France along its border with Germany.

What was Blitzkrieg?

A military tactic used by the Nazis, characterized by rapid and overwhelming attacks using air and ground forces.

What was the outcome of the Dunkirk evacuation?

Over 300,000 Allied troops were rescued from near-capture by the German forces, allowing them to continue fighting.

What was the primary goal of the Battle of Britain?

To force Britain to agree to peace terms favorable to the Nazis.

What did the Lend-Lease program entail?

A program that allowed the U.S. to supply Allied nations with aid and military equipment, initially requiring cash payment.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Hitler's invasion of the U.S.S.R. in June 1941.

What did the Axis powers aim to achieve in the North African campaign?

They sought to secure the Suez Canal and Persian Oil Fields for logistical support.

What was the significance of the second Battle of El-Alamein?

It was a turning point that pushed Axis powers out of Egypt and set up Operation Torch.

How did the Allies ultimately gain naval superiority in the Battle of the Atlantic?

Through the invention of sonar and the successful decryption of the Enigma Code.

What was one primary reason the U.S. entered WWII?

To stop Japanese aggression, especially after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Why was the non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin significant?

It allowed Hitler to focus on the Western Front without the fear of a Soviet attack.

What was the result of the Battle of Stalingrad?

A decisive Soviet victory that marked a turning point in the Eastern Front.

What was the purpose of the Yalta Conference?

To discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe and the division of Germany.

Why did the U.S. drop the atomic bomb on Japan?

To end the war quickly and showcase its military power without an extended conflict.

What is the 'Final Solution'?

The Nazi plan for the systematic extermination of the Jewish people during the Holocaust.