American History Unit 7 Pt. 2 - Second World War

The Munson Report

A report that was a factor in the lead-up to internment (historically showed Japanese Americans were not a threat).

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

An organization that pushed the government to compensate internment victims; initially less than 10% was authorized.

Battle of Midway

The 1942 battle where the Allies started to strike back in the Pacific.

Battle of Guadalcanal

The 1943 battle that "changed the war" and shifted momentum against the Japanese.

The primary criticism of the Treaty of Versailles

It caused anger and resentment instead of peace; described as "peace built on quicksand."

Define the "New Isms" and their leaders

Totalitarianism (Stalin), Fascism (Mussolini/Franco), Nazism (Hitler), Ultranationalism (Tojo), Isolationism (FDR/US).

Ineffectiveness of the League of Nations

It had no control over major conflicts, no progress in disarmament, and no effective military force.

Blitzkrieg Success Factors

Speed, Surprise, Overwhelming force, and Precise timing.

Lend-Lease Act

Policy allowing the President to sell or lend equipment to Great Britain, ending strict neutrality.

Pearl Harbor ("Day of Infamy")

The Japanese attack that destroyed much of the Pacific Fleet and killed thousands of Americans.

Japanese Strategy Theory

The belief that America would simply accept Japanese predominance in SE Asia and the Pacific.

Women's Army Corp (WAC)

Formed by George Marshall to allow women to serve in non-combat military roles.

Minority Contributions in WWII

300k Mexican Americans, 25k Native Americans, 33k Japanese Americans (spies), and 1 mil African Americans (segregated).

Office of Price Administration

Government office that fought inflation by freezing prices on goods.

War Production Board (WPB)

Decided which companies converted to war work and organized drives for raw materials.

US Rationing System

Households used ration books with coupons for essential goods like meat, shoes, sugar, and gas.

Executive Order 9066

The order signed by FDR that moved people of Japanese descent into internment centers.

Korematsu v. US

Supreme Court case that ruled internment was a "military necessity."

Internment Reparations

Reagan signed for $20,000 per living victim; George Bush sent the actual checks later.

Island Hopping Campaign

US strategy of taking specific islands to get close enough to invade the Japanese mainland.

Manhattan Project

The secret project to develop the atomic bomb.

The End of the Pacific War

Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to total devastation and surrender.

V-J Day

Victory over Japan Day; formal armistice signed on the U.S. Battleship Missouri.