BLAZE WORLD WAR 2 TEST

Flashcards for World War II terms, people, and events.

Benito Mussolini

Leader of Italy during WWII and a Fascist leader, friend of Hitler, died in 1945.

Fascism

Totalitarian philosophy of government that glorifies the state and assigns to the state control over every aspect of national life.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of Russia during WWII; initially had an agreement with Hitler but later joined the Allies.

Neutrality Act of 1935

Act stating the U.S. would remain neutral, aiming to avoid European conflicts due to the aftermath of the Great Depression.

Manchuria

Region taken over by Japan, leading to Japan's exit from the League of Nations; part of Japan's effort to remove white Europeans from Asia.

Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister during WWII, known for maintaining British morale.

Battle of Britain

Air campaign by Hitler to subdue Britain, including 'The Blitz' targeting London.

Miracle at Dunkirk

Evacuation of British forces from Dunkirk after Hitler halted German troops, allowing civilian ships to rescue soldiers.

Operation Overlord – D-Day

June 6th, 1944; the largest military operation involving American, Canadian, and British forces landing on Normandy beach.

Nuremberg Laws

Laws restricting Jews, prohibiting them from marrying outside their faith, holding positions in Congress, or being teachers.

Kristallnacht

A wave of violent anti-Jewish pogroms which took place on November 9 and 10, 1938.

Final Solution

Nazi Germany's plan during World War II to exterminate the Jewish people.

America First Committee

A group that advocated for American neutrality and non-intervention in World War II before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lend-Lease Act

U.S. act to lend money and supplies to countries in need, primarily benefiting Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and China.

Appeasement

A diplomatic policy aimed at avoiding war by making concessions to an aggressive power.

Blitzkrieg

An intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory.

Maginot Line

A line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany.

Axis Powers

Alliance of Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Mitsuo Fuchida (Japan).

Allied powers

Alliance of Russia, America, and Great Britain (and France).

Spanish Civil War

Conflict where Fascist Francisco Franco, supported by Hitler and Mussolini, gained control of Spain.

Anshuluss

The absorption of Austria into Nazi Germany in March 1938.

Lebensraum

'Living space'; motto used by Germany, indicating their need for more land.

Douglas MacArthur

An American five-star general and Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. He was Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II.

James Doolittle

American general known for planning a surprise attack on Tokyo after Pearl Harbor.

George Patton

American general who led troops in Italy and oversaw the liberation of Rome on June 5, 1944.

Bataan Death March

The forcible transfer of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war by the Imperial Japanese Army from April 9 to 17, 1942.

Midway

Critical naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II which occurred six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Rosie the Riveter

Cultural icon representing American women who worked in factories during WWII.

Japanese American Relocation

The forced relocation and incarceration during World War II of about 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry who lived on the Pacific coast in camps in the interior of the country.

Island Hopping

Military strategy employed by the Allies in the Pacific War against Japan and the Axis powers during World War II.

Battle of the Bulge

The last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II.

VE Day

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

Iwo Jima

A major battle in which the United States Marine Corps landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

Harry Truman

33rd president of the United States, assuming the office upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1945.

Manhattan Project

Research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons.

VJ Day

Victory over Japan Day, marking Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

United Nations

International organization established to replace the League of Nations.

Nuremberg Trials

A series of military tribunals held after World War II by the Allied forces under international law and the laws of war.