History honors Study guide

Why did it take until 1945 to defeat Japan even though the U.S. declared war in 1941?

The Allies had agreed to concentrate first on the war in Europe.

How did the new technology of splitting the atom end World War II?

U.S. scientists created a new bomb that was used against Japan.

What led to the final defeat of the Nazis?

The ability of Allied forces to surround Germany.

What was the purpose of the war crimes trials?

To hold Axis leaders accountable for their wartime actions.

Why was the United Nations formed?

To prevent future wars.

What was a cornerstone of Hitler's anti-Semitic beliefs?

He falsely blamed Jews for Germany's defeat in World War I.

Why were concentration camps originally created in 1933?

They were used as detention centers for political prisoners.

Why did Western countries refuse more Jewish refugees in the late 1930s?

Western countries were burdened with the effects of the Great Depression.

What was Hitler's "Final Solution"?

To murder all European Jews.

What is an example of silent Jewish resistance?

Jewish people meeting in secret to celebrate their religion and culture.

What factor helped the Allies win WWII?

Controlling wartime production goals at home.

What was the main goal of the D-Day invasion?

To force Germany to fight on two fronts.

How did the collaboration of Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin help end WWII?

They adopted a unified strategy to defeat the Axis powers in Europe.

How did rationing and war bond drives help the Allies?

They made sure they had the resources needed to support the war effort.

Why were aircraft carriers important in the Pacific War?

They had the ability to launch aircraft from their decks.

What led to Germany's early rapid success in the war?

Use of the blitzkrieg, which caught countries unprepared.

What was an effect of British resistance to Germany?

It saved Britain from a German invasion.

What was one result of Operation Barbarossa?

The Nazi-Soviet pact was broken.

What was an immediate effect of the Lend-Lease Act?

The U.S. provided critical aid to Great Britain and the Soviet Union.

Why did Japan attack the United States?

The U.S. was interfering with Japan's plan to expand its empire.

What action represents appeasement before WWII?

Allowing Hitler to annex the Sudetenland as part of the Munich Agreement.

How did World War I lead to World War II?

Germans hated the Versailles Treaty and supported Hitler's actions to defy it.

What was a result of Germany's involvement in the Spanish Civil War?

Germany was able to test out the capabilities of its weapons.

How did the Munich Pact affect Europe?

It further encouraged Hitler's aggressive policies.

Why did Britain and France declare war after the invasion of Poland?

They realized the policy of appeasement failed.