World War II Key Terms and Concepts

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts related to World War II from the lecture notes.

Globalist/Internationalist

The U.S. position at the start of WWII.

Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister during WWII who was influential to the Allies' victory.

Benito Mussolini

Leader of Italy during WWII.

Harry Truman

President of the USA during WWII who sent aid to the Allies.

Kristallnacht

A night when the SS destroyed Jewish businesses and arrested Jewish men.

The Nazi Final Solution

The plan to exterminate the Jews.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Allied general in charge of the European front during WWII.

D-Day

The Allies' invasion of France during WWII.

Battle of Stalingrad

Battle that halted the German advance in the Soviet Union.

Battle of the Bulge

Germany's last attempt to defeat Allies in the West.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

The agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union before WWII.

Nuremberg Trials

Trials that brought Nazi leaders to justice after WWII.

Einsatzgruppen

Nazi killing units responsible for mass shootings of Jews.

Dachau and Auschwitz

Famous concentration camps during WWII.

Blitzkrieg

A method of warfare meaning 'lightning war'.

Wannsee Conference

A meeting discussing the final solution for the 'Jewish question'.

Luftwaffe

The German Air Force during WWII.

Yalta Conference

Meeting to discuss the reorganization of post-war Europe.

Atomic Bomb

A weapon developed to use nuclear fission for mass destruction.

V-J Day

Victory over Japan Day, marking Japan's surrender.

Appeasement

The policy of making concessions to dictatorial powers to avoid conflict.

Hitler's Invasion of Poland

The event that triggered the start of WWII.

Clement Attlee

British Prime Minister known for his association with post-war policies.

Erwin Rommel

German Field Marshal known as the 'Desert Fox'.

Francisco Franco

Dictator of Spain during and post WWII.

Soviet Union

Country that played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Berlin Wall

Symbol of the Cold War division between East and West.

Atomic Energy Commission

U.S. government body overseeing atomic energy development.

Pacific Theater

The area of conflict during WWII in the Pacific Ocean.

Axis Powers

Alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII.

Allied Powers

Alliance of countries, including the US, UK, USSR, fighting against the Axis.

Kahoot

An interactive quiz game used for learning.

SS (Schutzstaffel)

A major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler.