siler vocab WWII

Totalitarianism

a theory of government in which a single party or leader controls the economic, social, and cultural lives of people.

Joseph Stalin

leader of communist union of soviet socialist republics (USSR) from 1924-1953. Efforts to change and form state-run collective farms caused extreme hardship and millions of deaths. Partner with germany, later joined the allies in wwII. after war he became a aggressive participant in cold war

Benito Mussolini

fascist leader and dictator of italy between 1922-1945. called IL Duce (The leader) and established a totalitarian dictatorship that promoted extreme nationalism dictatorship that promoted extreme nationalism. During his dictatorship, italy invaded ethiopia and partnered with germany during WWII

Facism

a political movement that stressed extreme nationalism and autocratic rule

Adolf Hitler

Leader of Nazi’s party and dictator of germany from 1933-1945. Rose to power by promoting racist and nationalist views. Established concentration camps, leading to the holocaust, a systematic amd brutal murder of millions of jews and others

Appeasement

policy of granting concessions in order to keep peace

Franklin D roosevelt

served as assistant secretary of the navy (1913-1920) before running the democratic ticket in 1920 lead the nation through great depression and world war II before dying of polio in office 1945

axis powers

group of countries led by germany, italy, and japan that fought the Allies in WWII

Allies

grpup of countries led by britian, france, the united states and the soviet union that fought the axis powers in WWII

Winston Churchill

prime minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945, inspired the british during WWII. Strongly opposed the expansion of soviet communism referring to nations under communism as being behind the “iron curtain”

Neutrality Act of 1939

Act that allowed nations at war to buy goods and arms carried the merchandise on their own ships

Lend-Lease Act

Act passed in 1941 that allowed president Roosevelt to sell or lend war supplies to any country whose defense he considered vital to the safety of the united states

Atlantic Charter

Pack signed by great britian and the united states that endorsed certain principles for building a lasting peace and establishing free government in the world

Hideki Tojo

Became japans prime minister in oct 1941 when plans were already underway to attack the US Navy at pearl harbor. Led Japan until July 1944. After war, he was trial for war crimes and hanged in December 1948

Pearl Harbor

American military base attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941

George Marshall

became the army’s chief of staff in 1939. Built a fighting force as quickly as possible. Secretary of state after war devised a plan to help west europe recover. Prepared army at korea

Women’s army corps (WAC)

United states army group established during World War II. So that women could serve in non-combat roles.

Douglas MacArthur

Commanded American troops in WWI, developed a reputation for bravery. Accepted Japans surrender to end WWII. became commander of UN forces in the korean war (1950) retired after removal from command

Bataan Death March

During WWII the forced march of American and filipino prisoners of war under brutal conditions led by the japanese military

Dwight Eisenhower

given commanded of all american forces in Europe in 1942. After strong performances in North Africa and italy he was made supreme commander of Allied forces. Skillful D-day invasion, served 2 terms as president

Tuskegee Airmen

African American squadron that escorted bombers in the air war over Europe during WWII

Battle of midway

turning point of WWII in the pacific in which the japanese military

A. philip Randolph

A strong labor leader and leader of the civil rights movement for decades. 1925 became head of yje brother hood of sleeping car porters. fought to get a major company and a predominantly african american labor union. Convinced roosevelt to issue executive order 8802. persisted truman to pass something else banning discrimination on military. driving force behind 1963 march.

Bracero program

plan that bought laborers from mexico to work on American Farms

442nd regimental combat team

world war II unit made up of japanese American volunteers

Rationing

government-controlled limits on the amount of certain goals that civilians could buy during wartime

Office of war information (OWI)

government agency that encouraged support of the war effort during world war II

War Bond

a bond bought to find a war effort redeemable for interest after a certain period of time

Demographics

statistics that show human characteristics of a population

Battle of the bulge

last major german offensive in the western front during WWII; It was an unsuccessful attempt to push back the Allies that crippled germany by forcing it to use more resources than it could afford

Harry S. Truman

was president of the U.S. from 1945-1953 took office after FDRs death and led nation during the final months of WWII made decision to use atomic weapons against japan in the early years of cold war, worked to rebuild europe and to oppose the spread of communism, sent troops into the korean war in 1950

Island-Hopping

World war II strategy that involved seizing selected japanese-held islands in the pacific while bypassing others

Manhattan Project

Code name of the U.S. government research project that developed the atomic bomb