World War II

Mackenzie King

Political leader of Canada during World War II.

Franklin Roosevelt

Political leader of the United States during World War II.

Joseph Stalin

Communist dictator of Russia during World War II.

Benito Mussolini

Fascist dictator of Italy during World War II.

Albert Lebrun

Political leader of France before and during World War II.

Winston Churchill

Political leader of Britain during World War II.

The Allies

Alliance formed during World War II including the US, Soviet Union, UK, China, France, Canada, and Australia.

The Axis Powers

Alliance formed during World War II including Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Dictator

A person or small group of powerful people who can make any rules they want, with no political party able to challenge them.

Totalitarian Control (Hitler State)

Government control over all aspects of life, including media, education, and the economy.

Suppression of Opposition (Hitler State)

Persecution of political opponents, Jews, and minorities leading to widespread fear and violence under Hitler.

Propaganda (Hitler State)

Used by Hitler to glorify the Nazi regime and promote militarism preparing Germany for war.

Beer Hall Putsch

A failed coup attempt by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in 1923 to overthrow the German government. It took place in Munich, where Hitler aimed to seize power but was quickly stopped by the police.

Mein Kampf

Adolf Hitler's book written in prison, titled 'My Struggles'.

Night of Long Knives

A 1934 event where Hitler had nearly 400 people murdered, because he was scared of traitors in his midst. One was even his good friend (Ernst Roehm) It showcased his ruthless power and fear.

Rhineland

In 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland (Alsace/Lorraine) to take back the land, violating the Treaty of Versailles. Showed his defiance of rules and international agreements.  

Austria

In1938, Hitler annexed to join his homeland. A vote was held across Austria: 95% supported the joining of nations. Nazi military stood beside each ballot box to watch who people voted for. This move increased Hitler's influence and resources. 

Sudetenland

In 1938, Hitler demanded the Sudetenland, a German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia, and was given it through the Munich Agreement. It was the first part taken of Czechoslovakia. 

Czechoslovakia

After taking Sudetenland Czechoslovakia was weak and unsure, Hitler marched on Prague and took the whole country. This cause European leaders to meet to prevent another war. They met in Munich, Germany. 

Poland

September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, using the Blitzkrieg tactic. France and England declared war 2 days after, but had little to offer. The German army crushed Poland in 3 weeks.  

Appeasement

England, France, and Russia tried to support Czechoslovakia and met in Munich. Hitler claimed the invasion would be his last, insisting many Czechs wanted it. Instead of fighting, England and France appeased him, letting him take control.

NKVD

The secret police of Russia under Stalin.

OVRA

The secret police of Italy under Mussolini.

Gestapo

The secret police of Germany under Hitler.

What was Hitler’s goal? (Spark)

A "thousand year" Aryan Empire. 

What was Hitler’s main target? (Spark)

Russia for land and resources.

What were Hitler’s secondary goals? (Spark)

Recover lost land (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine), revenge for Treaty of Versailles, and restore German pride.

What rules/treaty did Hitler break? (Spark)

Built up military, violating Treaty of Versailles terms.

How did Hitler violate the Munich Agreement? (Spark)

Invaded Poland, leading to war declarations by France and England.

Blitzkrieg

'Lightning war' strategy using fast attacks with tanks, artillery, and aircraft.

Dunkirk resistance (Miracle)

German troops trapped British and French against the English Channel. 

Dunkirk evacuation (Miracle)

400,000 men stranded; civilians used their own boats to rescue soldiers. 

Hitler’s mistake at Dunkirk (Miracle)

Halted tanks, leaving the job to the Luftwaffe, seeking personal glory (Herman Goering). 

Outcome of Dunkirk (Miracle)

338,000 men rescued, but large amounts of weapons were abandoned.

Operation Jubilee

The 1942 Allied raid on the French port of Dieppe, aimed at testing German defenses. It was a failure, resulting in heavy casualties. 

Operation Dynamo

The evacuation of British and Allied forces from Dunkirk (May–June 1940), where over 338,000 troops were rescued from the beach under intense German bombardment.

Operation Sealion

The planned German invasion of Britain in 1940, which was never carried out due to failure to gain air superiority in the Battle of Britain.

Operation Overlord

The code name for the D-Day invasion (June 6, 1944), where Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. 

Operation Barbarossa

The German invasion of the Soviet Union (June 22, 1941), marking the largest military operation in history. It eventually failed, leading to a significant turning point in the war.

Operation Uranus

The Soviet counteroffensive during the Battle of Stalingrad (November 19, 1942), which encircled and trapped the German 6th Army, leading to a decisive Soviet victory.

Why was the Dieppe invasion called for?

to 'test' the strength and defensive tactics of the Germans along the French coast (Dieppe).  

Why did the Dieppe invasion fail?

1. Worst place to attack (a bay shaped like a saucer and fire from all sides). A head-on assault was poorly designed 

2. Foggy conditions (wrong day to attack) 

3. Arriving on the beach during light hours (morning) gave away any surprise 

4. Little bombardment from ships beforehand 

5. No training for a month before the attack 

6. No real battle plan 

7. Guns issued on board, on the way to France 

What lessons were taken from the Dieppe invasion?

• Plan better 

• Importance of air and naval support 

• Avoid direct assaults on heavily defended ports 

• Value of surprise 

Why was the Battle of Britain unique?

As Britain is an island, Hitler's strategy relied on attacking from the skies, making this a battle fought entirely in the air. Despite being outnumbered 3-1, British pilots held strong. 

What were the British’s advantages? (B.O.B.)

• Radar: Allowed the British to detect incoming German planes and intercept them. 

• Defending: British pilots had shorter distances to fly, meaning they didn’t need to worry about fuel shortages and could stay in the air longer. 

• Planes: The British Spitfire and Hurricane were faster, more agile, and more accurate than the German aircraft. 

• Code Breakers: British mathematicians and chess masters cracked German codes, allowing them to predict enemy attacks. 

What were the Battle of Britain results?

• German Losses: Hitler's air force suffered heavy losses in pilots and planes. 

• Bombing London: Frustrated by losses, Hitler shifted to bombing civilians in London for months, reducing the city to rubble. 

• British Resilience: Despite heavy bombings, Britain rebuilt, and Hitler ultimately abandoned his plans to invade Britain (Operation Sealion), instead focusing on Russia. 

What was Germany’s plan in the London Blitz?

• Hitler hoped to break England's resolve and force peace through continuous bombing.

• London was bombed every night, causing widespread fear and destruction.

How did Londoner’s adapt to the Blitz?

• Civilian Response: Londoners worked together to extinguish fires and rebuild after attacks. 

• Underground Shelters: Many took refuge in underground subway tunnels for safety, hundreds of feet below ground. 

What was the result of the London Blitz?

London became a city of rubble and waste but remained resilient.

What was Hitler’s first mistake?

leaving Dunkirk up to his Air Force Commander (Herman Goerigg) who wanted his own glory. 

What was Hitler’s second mistake?

not bombing all 100% of Britain's RAF. He only did 90% and so they ended up being able to bounce back. 

What was Hitler’s third mistake?

attacking Russia in summer, not spring. It caused them to fight in deadly Russian winters.

What happened to Japanese Canadians in the war?

They were sent to internment camps in BC.  

What was the S.S. St. Louis incident?

• carrying 937 Jewish refugees, was set to dock in Halifax Harbour

• the refugees were fleeing Nazi persecution in Germany. 

• the Canadian government (under Mackenzie King) denied entry. 

• the ship was also rejected by the USA and Cuba. 

• returned to Europe, and many of the refugees were later killed

Nuremberg Laws

Racist and antisemitic laws made by Hitler to keep Jews away from 'German/Aryan Blood'.

What problems did Canadian’s face during the war?

• Harsh conditions, heavy losses, and limited resources

• Divided nation over conscription

• Women in the workforce

• Japanese Canadians interned

• Indigenous veterans paid less

• Psychological toll on soldiers and families

What improved because of the war?

War gave a huge boost to employment and economic growth.  

What steps did average Canadians take to help win the war?

• Farms mass-produced food for overseas.

• Women worked in factories, as nurses, and ambulance drivers.

• Victory gardens were planted for food.

• Cloth was conserved for war uniforms.

• Children collected glass and metal for war factories. 

Conscription Issue

King promised no conscription for WW2. By 1941, he explains Canada would have a mandatory defense army: these soldiers would ONLY defend Canada, if needed. He asks Canada to pardon him on his promise and help a vote on conscription: most English voted 'Yes' most French voted 'No' 

What was war like in Russia for Russians and Germans?

• Harsh Winters: German soldiers faced brutal Russian winters, with many freezing to death due to lack of proper winter gear. 

• Supply Shortages: Supplies and food were delayed, worsening the soldiers' conditions. 

• Close Quarters Combat: Fighting was intense, with battles occurring in homes, streets, and often hand-to-hand. 

• Civilian Casualties: German bombers killed many civilians, contributing to the devastation. 

• Rubble Warfare: The destroyed city offered new hiding spots and ambush opportunities for soldiers. 

• Massive Losses: Over 2 million people died, with many freezing, starving, and losing hope. 

What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and when was it broken? 

A pact of peace between Russia and Germany. It said neither side would attack the other for 10 years. It was broken in 1941, when Hitler invaded Russia. 

Stalingrad: why is this battle considered the worst of all time? What was fighting like and what were the results? 

• Massive Scale: The Battle of Stalingrad involved over 2 million casualties, both soldiers and civilians. 

• Grim Conditions: The battle was fought in freezing winter with close-quarters combat, constant air raids, and food shortages. 

• German Bombing: German bombers destroyed the city, causing widespread devastation. 

• Soviet Encirclement: The Soviets surrounded 265,000 German troops, forcing their surrender. 

• Turning Point: Stalingrad marked the beginning of Germany's weakening and the Soviet push toward Berlin. 

What were the names of the D-Day beaches? What country had each beach?

Juno – Canada 

Gold and Sword – Britain 

Omaha and Utah – USA 

What was the first D-Day goals?

The first goal was to take each beach and push inland.  

What were the D-Day results?

Omaha beach was the hardest to overcome. Canada was the first to reach its objectives. Canadians arrived on the beach before armoured units, which led to a lot of deaths. It took another week to secure all 5 beaches. It was the first step towards Germany and Hitler.  

Atomic Bomb

The Manhattan Project, led by Robert Oppenheimer with help from scientists like Einstein, developed the first atomic bombs. The U.S. chose to use them on Japan instead of risking massive casualties. On August 6, Hiroshima was bombed, followed by Nagasaki on August 9, killing 229,000 civilians and destroying both cities. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in war.

Europe after WWII

• By 1945, Germany, Italy, and Japan lay in ruins, and France was badly damaged. A power struggle emerged between Churchill (UK), Stalin (USSR), and Truman (USA). As the UK recovered, the rivalry narrowed to the USA and USSR, leading to a 45-year Cold War of military buildup. 

• Europe was divided into West (rebuilt by the USA/UK with the Marshall Plan) and East (dominated by USSR communism). The USSR controlled nations like Poland and Romania, forming the Iron Curtain. 

Canada after WWII

• Returning soldiers found jobs, and the Liberal government expanded welfare, unions, healthcare, and pensions. 

• Economic growth led to the baby boom (1946–1960). 

• Newfoundland became Canada’s 10th province in 1949. 

Canada’s war legacy

Over 1 million Canadians served; 43,000 died. They fought bravely in battles like Dieppe, Ortona, and Juno Beach, liberating Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Describe Hitler’s last days

• Hitler's Refusal to Surrender: By 1945, with Berlin surrounded by Allied forces, Hitler refused to give up. 

• Tested Cyanide on Dog: As Russian forces neared, Hitler tested cyanide on his dog. 

• Marriage: On April 29, 1945, Hitler married Eva Braun. 

• Their Deaths: The following day, Eva Braun took cyanide, and Hitler shot himself. 

• Body Disposal: Hitler's body was reportedly burned to prevent the Russians from capturing it. 

Hitler’s reasons for persecution

• Idealism: Hitler believed Jews were trying to control the world and its wealth, hindering Aryan conquest. 

• Hatred: Jews were blamed for the depression in Germany and used as scapegoats to fuel Nazi propaganda. 

• Blame: Jews were falsely accused of causing Germany's defeat in WWI, leading to national embarrassment. 

Why people went along with the Holocaust

• Propaganda: Jews and other minorities were dehumanized and portrayed as enemies of the state. 

• Fear: Opposing the Nazis often led to imprisonment or death. 

• Widespread Antisemitism: Pre-existing biases made many more receptive to Nazi policies. 

• Obedience to Authority: People followed orders without question, driven by loyalty or fear. 

• Scapegoat: It was easier to blame Jews for economic struggles like the Great Depression. 

• Normalization of Injustice: Persecution escalated gradually, making it easier to accept. 

• Belief in Nazi Ideology: Some people genuinely believed in Hitler’s vision of a racially pure society. 

• Ignorance: Many claimed they didn’t know about the atrocities. 

• Bystander Effect: Some were too afraid or thought they couldn't make a difference. 

What was life in a labor or death camp like? 

• Prisoners slept in close quarters on wood and bits of straw. 

• Their heads were shaved, jewels and personals taken, and they were clothed in striped pajamas. 

• Food was minimal: a piece of bread or some thin soup. 

• Work was early and late, and in the heat or the cold and snow. 

• Abuses were common: slaves were beaten and abused, or killed to make examples out of. 

What were the steps that led to the final solution?

• 1938: Jewish stores were smashed and looted during Kristallnacht; Jews were forced to pay 1 billion marks to cover the damage. 

• 1938: Jewish children were expelled from schools. 

• 1939: Jews began being deported to slave camps in Poland. 

• 1939: Jews were forced to wear the yellow star to mark and shame them. 

• 1940: Jews in Germany were removed and sent to camps elsewhere. 

• 1940: Jews in Nazi-occupied lands were attacked and persecuted. 

• 1940: Auschwitz, a notorious death camp, was opened. 

• 1940: The city of Warsaw in Poland was divided, creating a Jewish ghetto where 400,000 Jews were confined. 

VJ Day

Victory in Japan Day, marking Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945.

VE Day

Victory in Europe Day, marking Nazi Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945.