World War II Study Guide Vocabulary

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

Axis Powers

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

Fascism

A political system characterized by dictatorial power and strong centralized control.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn that took place during the 1930s.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended World War I, which imposed heavy reparations on Germany.

Lend-Lease Act

A U.S. program that supplied Allied nations with military equipment during World War II.

Big 3 Allies

The main Allied nations during World War II: Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

Isolationists

People who advocated for a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups.

Internationalists

People who believe in cooperation among nations and oppose isolationism.

Atlantic Charter

A joint declaration by the US and UK outlining their goals for the post-war world.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

An organization established to promote international monetary cooperation and financial stability.

World Bank

An international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for development projects.

United Nations

An intergovernmental organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.

Bretton Woods Conference

A 1944 meeting that established a framework for international economic cooperation after World War II.

Churchill-Stalin Agreement

An agreement between Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin on how to divide influence in Eastern Europe.

Potsdam Conference

A meeting of the Big 3 (US, UK, USSR) in July 1945 to negotiate terms for the after-war order.

Manhattan Project

A secret US project during World War II to develop the atomic bomb.

Unconditional Surrender

A surrender in which no guarantees are given to the surrendering party.

Pearl Harbor

The site of a surprise military attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, which led the US to enter World War II.

Rhineland

A region of Germany that was remilitarized by Germany in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

Post-war world economy

The economic landscape and policies in the aftermath of World War II.