7.7 Conducting World War II

1939-1945

World War II dates. Significance: The deadliest conflict in history, reshaping global power structures (you will need to identify these changes in Unit 8).

Atlantic Charter

1941 U.S.-British agreement outlining post-war goals, including self-determination and disarmament. Significance: Set the foundation for the United Nations and post-war global order.

atomic bomb

nuclear weapon using fission to produce massive destruction. Significance: Used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender.

Battle of Britain

German aerial bombardment aimed at crippling British resistance. Significance: Britain’s successful defense prevented a Nazi invasion.

Battle of the Bulge

Germany’s last major counteroffensive in December 1944–January 1945. Significance: Temporarily slowed the Allies but ended in German defeat.

blitzkrieg

“Lightning war”; rapid, coordinated military attacks using mobile ground forces and air power. Significance: First used against Poland when Germany began World War II

comfort women

Women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. Significance: remains a contentious historical issue, particularly in East Asia.

concentration camps

Prison camps used by Nazis for forced labor and mass execution. Significance: Central to the Holocaust, resulting in millions of deaths.

D-Day

June 6, 1944, Allied invasion/liberation of Normandy, France. Significance: Marked the beginning of the Western Allied advance toward Germany.

Destroyers for Bases Agreement

1940 deal where the U.S. gave Britain old destroyers in exchange for military base rights. Significance: Strengthened British defenses while keeping the U.S. officially neutral.

Executive Order 9066

 1942 U.S. order creating internment camps for Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Significance: Violated civil liberties; later recognized as a grave injustice.

firebomb

incendiary bomb designed to cause mass fires. Significance: Devastated cities like Hamburg, Dresden, and Tokyo.

Hitler Youth

Nazi youth organization indoctrinating children with fascist ideology.  Significance: Successfully created zealous followers of Nazi rule.

island-hopping

U.S. strategy of capturing key Pacific islands enroute to Japan. Significance: Weakened Japan’s defenses but was ultimately replaced by atomic bombings.

kamikaze

Japanese suicide pilots who crashed planes into enemy targets. Significance: reflected Japan’s desperation as the war neared its end

Lend-Lease Act

U.S. policy allowing the transfer of war supplies to Allied nations without direct payment. Significance: Ended U.S. neutrality and solidified support for the Allies.

Pearl Harbor

Japanese attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet on December 7, 1941. Significance: Led to U.S. entry into World War II.

POWs

Acronym for “prisoners of war.” Significance: Many faced brutal treatment, particularly under Axis powers.

Rosie the Riveter

 Propaganda figure promoting women in wartime industry. Significance: symbolized the shift in gender roles and increased female workforce participation.

Siege of Leningrad

Three-year German blockade of Leningrad, causing over a million civilian deaths. Significance: One of the deadliest sieges in history; demonstrated Stalin’s callous determination to resist German forces at any cost.

V-E Day

Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945. Significance: Marked Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender.

Vichy France

Nazi-controlled puppet state in France. Significance: Collaborated with Germany, aiding Nazi war efforts and persecution policies.

V-J Day

Victory over Japan Day, August 14, 1945. Significance: Ended World War II following Japan’s surrender.

(war) theater

A major area of military operations. Significance: In World War II, key theaters included the European Theater, Eastern Front, Mediterranean/North Africa Theater, and Pacific Theater.