World War II: Nine Key Events - Video Lecture Flashcards

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering the nine key events of World War II from the Polish invasion (1939) to Japan's surrender (1945), including major battles, strategic shifts, and pivotal decisions.

What is the overall timeframe of World War II as outlined in these notes?

From the invasion of Poland in 1939 to the surrender of Japan in 1945.

During the fall of Poland in 1939, which two powers invaded Poland and what pact preceded it?

Germany from the west and the USSR from the east after the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

What military tactic did Germany use to invade Poland?

Blitzkrieg using the Luftwaffe and Panzer tanks.

When did Warsaw surrender and when were the last shots fired in the invasion of Poland?

Warsaw surrendered on 28 September 1939; last shots on 2 October 1939.

What happened to Poland and the Baltic states after the invasion?

Germany and the USSR divided Poland and the Baltic states.

When did Germany attack Norway and why?

9 April 1940; to secure iron-ore supply.

What happened to Denmark and Norway by June 1940 and what was Sweden’s status?

Denmark surrendered; Norway surrendered on 10 June 1940; Sweden remained neutral.

What was Operation Dynamo and what were its dates and outcome?

Evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk; 26 May–4 June 1940; over 300,000 evacuated; campaign in France was a defeat.

What was the fate of France by late June 1940 and what happened to the British Channel Islands?

France defeated; Paris occupied; Channel Islands captured in July 1940.

What happened in Britain after Dunkirk and which plan was devised to invade?

Germany planned Operation Sea-Lion to invade Britain, backed by Luftwaffe bombing.

What aided Britain in the Battle of Britain?

Radar and Ultra intelligence, plus support from the US.

Why did Operation Sea-Lion not take place?

Britain’s resilience and air defense; Hitler postponed it and it never occurred.

When did Operation Barbarossa begin and who attacked whom?

22 June 1941; Germany invaded the USSR (despite previous alliance).

What were the three main German objectives in Barbarossa?

Leningrad, Moscow, and the Caucasus (oil and Crimea region).

What Russian policy worsened the German advance in Barbarossa?

Scorched-earth policy and the ferocity of the Russian winter.

What caused the United States to move from neutral to entering the war, and when did Pearl Harbor occur?

Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941; US declared war on Japan on 8 December 1941.

What two Neutrality Acts amendments helped the Allies before US entry, and what did they do?

Cash-and-Carry allowed wartime trade paid in cash and shipped by belligerents; Lend-Lease allowed weapons loaned to Allies.

What led to US entry into the war beyond Pearl Harbor, and what happened in the Pacific beforehand?

Growing concern over Japanese expansion; prior US aid to Allies via Cash-and-Carry and Lend-Lease; Japan’s expansion escalated conflict.

Which battles marked turning points in the Pacific before atomic bombs, and what was a key tactic used by the Allies?

Midway, Coral Sea, and Leyte Gulf; island-hopping to secure bases and advance toward Japan.

When did the D-Day invasion occur, what was the operation called, and which beaches were involved?

6 June 1944; Operation Overlord; British: Gold, Juno, Sword; US: Utah, Omaha.

What was the outcome of the Normandy campaign and when did the Allies reach German soil?

Allies liberated Paris and Northern France, advanced into Brussels and the Netherlands; by 1945 on German soil.

When did Allied and Soviet forces meet and what were the key events in late April 1945?

Meeting on 25 April 1945; Soviets advanced into Germany; Berlin captured; Hitler and Eva Braun died on 30 April; V-E Day on 8 May 1945.

When did Germany surrender and what marked the end of World War II in Europe?

Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945 (V-E Day).

What dramatic events occurred in August 1945 ending the war with Japan, and what were the dates?

Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima (6 Aug 1945) and Nagasaki (9 Aug 1945); Japan surrendered on 2 Sep 1945.