USH test 4: WW2

Neutrality Acts (1935-1939)

Legislation prohibiting the US from trading arms with countries at war, restricting loans to belligerent nations, and implementing the "cash and carry" policy for trading goods.

Destroyers for Bases (1940)

Agreement where the US provided older destroyers to Britain in exchange for leases on bases in British territories, mainly in the Caribbean.

Lend Lease Program

Allowed the US to sell or lend war materials to nations vital for its defense, supplying countries like Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and China during WWII.

Atlantic Charter

A 1941 agreement between Churchill and FDR outlining post-war goals, including peace cooperation, no territorial expansion, and the restoration of defeated nations.

Pearl Harbor Attack

Japan's 1941 attack on the US naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, leading to American entry into WWII after Congress declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy.

Selective Service Act

Enacted during WWII, requiring all men aged 18-45 to register for military service, with around 10 million serving and including segregated African-American units.

WWII Economy at Home

Involved expanding the labor force, wartime production oversight, and financing the war through initiatives like war bonds.

US Military Strategy in Europe

Focused on defeating Hitler first, starting in North Africa, moving through the Mediterranean and Italy, with the ultimate goal of victory in Europe.

Battle of the Bulge

A significant WWII battle where the Germans launched a major counter-offensive, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

Yalta Conference

A meeting between Churchill, Stalin, and FDR where they agreed to divide Germany, hold free elections in Eastern Europe, and establish plans for the United Nations.

What is the Casablanca conference and why is it important?

FDR and churchill agree to open a 2nd front

What is the Tehran Conference and why is it important?

Attack through italy, 2nd front within 6 months, Russia will enter war against Japan after Germany surrenders, talk of UN

Explain the push to establish a second front including Operation Overlord and D-Day.

Russians calling for help, mounting casualties, in the east. OO: land on beaches at Normandy, push to interior. DD: largest military invasion in US history: 1 mil troops landed and TONs of tanks, jeeps, and ammunition supplies

Explain what is going on in Europe Post D-Day

Allied forces moved through France, liberating it, face strong opposition, but the Germans are on retreat, beginning in Dec. ‘44 the Germs. stage their counter-offence

Explain the conclusion of the War in the Atlantic Theater.

Apr. 12 - FDR dies, Apr 16 - Soviets attack Berlin

Apr. 30 - hitler commits suicide, May 8th - VE day

What was the US strategy in the Pacific Theater?

Island hopping, only fight for strategically important islands (airstrips, fresh water, radio/radar, close to mainland, etc), move closer to Japanese islands

What were the characteristics of battles against the Japanese?

No respect between th Js and As (there was some between Gs and As), Js feel contempt towards Americans bc they will surrender and nt fight till death

Js believe surrender shows lack honor, Js abuse POWs - bataan death march

Who is Harry Truman and why is he important?

Dem., 23 pres. Takes over when FDR dies, makes crucial decision to drop A-bomb

What is the Potsdam conference and why is it important?

plans to reconstruct Europe and Germany, Potsdam declaration; demands Js surrender or ultimate destruction, Js don't surrender, bombs dropped in Aug.

Explain the role of African Americans during WWII.

1 mil serve in segregated units; begin to support roles, eventually saw combat, at home many migrated north; new jobs, begin to have some political power, face discrimination, experiences lead to the civil rights movement

What happened to Japanese Americans during the war?

Most are centered in the west coast, discriminate against after pearl harbor, 1942- executive order 9066; 100,00-120,000 JAs were forced to go to internment camps; revenge for pearl harbor and fear of JA sabotage

Why was JA internement considered legalized racism?

Military-style barracks; barbed wire guarded by troops, no similar action taken against Germans and Italians

Explain Korematsu vs. the United States and why it is important.

1944; F. Korematsu challenges EO 9066, us never identifies any JA sabotage or treason, 1988; US apologizes and pays $20,000 to those still alive

What were the possible alternatives to dropping the atomic bomb? What was the justification?

Alt.: blockade or invasion of Js main island, dem power of bomb by using one on a desert area, drop a bomb on a military site

Jus.: revenge for PH, to save lives, intimidate SU, unwillingness to surrender

Explain what happened with the bombing of Hiroshima.

70,000 killed immediately, 100,000 die later, 48,000 buildings destroyed

Explain what happened with the bombing of Nagasaki.

40,000 killed immediately, 60,60,000 injured,100,000 die later (cancer, radiation poisoning.)

What were the Postwar economic anxieties facing the US after WWII?

Brief period of economic uncertainty followed by unprecedented prosperity

What is the GI Bill and why is it important?

Help for veterans: 1 million returned from war, servicemen's readjustment act (1944), education and low-interest loans

Explain what is meant by populating the country

BB: 50 million born (1945-1960)

SG: levittown, NY; Daly city, California; middle class movement (to the suburbs)

R of SB: draw of warmer climates and air conditioning

• Shift of political power from one region to another

Explain the economic programs and Civil Rights under Truman

Employment Act of 1946: national health insurance, bill to maintain full employment

Council on Economic Advisors; council of economic advisors - president and congress on promoting economic welfare nationally

The coalition between Republicans and conservative Southern Democrats - hinders domestic programs set forth by Truman

Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 - desegregated fed. Gov’t and armed forces

• Fair employment practices commission

Explain Republican Control of the 80th Congress

Impact of the Election of 1946 - republican majority in congress

22nd Amendment (1951): two-term limit

Taft-Hartley Act. (1947): outlawed closed shops, “right to work” laws, and presidential 80-day “cooling off period” before strike

• Congress overrode, major divide between democrats and republicans

Explain the Election of 1948.

Democrats: Truman (incumbent), J. Strom Thurmond (Dixiecrat - states rights)

Republicans: Thomas E. Dewey - overly confident, “do nothing”

What is Truman’s Fair Deal and why is it important?

Proposals: National health care, federal aid to education, civil rights legislation, public housing, farming programs, minimum wage increase, expand social security

Results: most defeated because of political conflict with congress and pressing foreign policy concerns with the cold war

who won the election of 1948?

Truman