World War 2 Terms

Nonaggression Pact

10 year agreement signed in August of 1939 by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin with Hitler. Hitler promised him territory, and in a secret pact, Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to divide Poland between them. significance: It was an unlikely alliance between fascist and communist leaders of traditionally enemy countries, indicated that war with Germany was inevitable.

Blitzkreig

A German military tactic meaning “lightning war”, using fast moving airplane, tanks, and troops to quickly overwhelm enemies. significance: Helped Germany rapidly conquer Poland, France, and other countries early in the war.

Charles de Gaulle

French general who escaped to Britain after France fell to Germany and led the Free French forces. significance: Became the symbol of French resistance against Nazi occupation

Winston Churchill

Prime Minister of Britain from 1940 to 1945. significance: Inspired British resistance against Nazi Germany through strong leadership and speeches

Battle of Britain

A major air battle between Germany’s Luftwaffe and Britain’s Royal Air Force in 1940. significance: Britain’s victory prevented a German invasion and marked Germany’s first major defeat

Erwin Rommel

German military commander known as the “Desert Fox”. significance: Led Axis forces in North Africa and became one of Germany’s most respected generals

Atlantic Charter

A statement issued by the US and Britain outlining goals for the postwar world. significance: Established principles such as self- determination and international cooperation, influencing the creation of the United Nations.

Isoroku Yamamoto

Japanese admiral who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor. significance: Directed Japan’s early naval successes but later lost at Midway

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Surprise Japanese attack on the US naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. significance: Brought the US into WW2

Battle of Midway

Naval battle between the US and Japan in June 1942. significance: Major turning point in the Pacific War, Japan lost 4 aircraft carriers and never regained the initiative

Douglas McAurthur

American General who commanded allied forces in the Pacific. significance: Led the campaign to recapture the Philippines and accepted Japan’s surrender in 1945

Battle of Guadalcanal

First major allied offensive against Japan in the Pacific. significance: Stopped Japanese expansion and began the allied advance toward Japan.

Aryan

According to Nazi racial ideology, a person of supposedly superior northern European ancestry. significance: Nazi used this false racial theory to justify discrimination, persecution and genocide

Holocaust

The systematic murder of 6 million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany. significance: One of the greatest crimes against humanity in history.

Kristallnacht

“Night of Broken Glass” a coordinated attack on Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues in November 1938. significance: Married a major escalation at Nazi persecution of Jews

Ghetto

A segregated area where Jews were forced to live under Nazi rule. significance: Ghettos isolated Jewish communities and often served as a step toward deportation to concentration

Final Solution

Nazi Germany’s plan to systematically exterminate Europe’s Jewish population. significance: Led directly to the mass killings carried out in extermination camps.

Genocide

The deliberate destruction of a national, ethic, racial or religious group. significance: The Holocaust became a defining example of genocide and influenced international human right laws.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

American General who commanded allied forces in Europe. significance: Directed the D-Day invasion and later became president of the US

Battle of Stalingrad

Battle between Germany and the Soviet Union in the city of Stalingrad. significance: Decisive Soviet victory that marked a turning point on the Eastern front

D-Day

Allied landing on the beaches of Normandy, France. significance: Opened a western front against Germany and began the liberation of Western Europe

Battle of the Bulge

Germany’s last major offensive in Western Europe. significance: Allied victory weakened Germany and hastened the end of the war in Europe

Kamikaze

Japanese pilots who deliberately crashed explosive-filled aircraft into enemy ships. significance: Demonstrated Japan’s desperation in the final stages of war and caused significant Allied losses.