World War II: Turning Points, Allied Victory, and Global Impact

Vocabulary flashcards covering key turning points, economic and military factors leading to Allied victory, and the short- and long-term impacts of World War II.

Pearl Harbour

The American naval base in Hawaii that was attacked by Japanese aircraft from aircraft carriers in December 1941, widening the conflict into a global war.

Battle of the Coral Sea

A naval battle fought in May 1942 that halted the Japanese invasion of the South Pacific and ensured Australia was safe.

Battle of Midway

A pivotal June 1942 naval battle where the US Navy sank four Japanese aircraft carriers, halting Japanese expansion in the Pacific and marking an important turning point in the war.

Battle of Leyte Gulf

Fought in October 1944, this greatest naval battle in history resulted in the Japanese losing 27 major warships compared to six major American warships lost.

Battle of Iwo Jima

A fierce 1945 battle in which American forces overcame Japanese defenders entrenched in a network of caves, tunnels, and dugouts; only 1,000 Japanese soldiers survived out of 23,000 defenders.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The two Japanese cities destroyed by American atomic bombs in August 1945, resulting in approximately 120,000 deaths and forcing the surrender of Japan.

Emperor Hirohito

The Japanese Emperor who was forced to surrender on 15 August 1945 due to the extensive death and destruction caused by the atomic bombs.

VJ Day

Victory over Japan Day, celebrated in the streets of Britain and America following the Japanese surrender on 15 August 1945.

Arsenal of democracy

A phrase referring to the United States and its massive industrial output, producing 300,000 aircraft and 86,000 tanks, while providing $48 billion in supplies to Britain and $11 billion to Russia.

Lebensraum

The territorial 'living space' in the Soviet Union that Hitler sought to acquire, which led to his mistaken decision to invade the USSR.

Allied Oil Advantage

The strategic disparity in fuel production where Allied territories produced 2,200 million barrels of oil a year, whereas Hitler's territories produced just 60 million barrels annually and Japan lost its conquered oil supplies by 1945.

World War II Casualties

The severe human toll of the conflict: Allied powers lost 25.4 million civilian and 18.6 million military lives, while Axis powers sustained 5.1 million civilian and 5.9 million military casualties.

Marshall Aid

Financial assistance provided by the American Government after World War II to help European governments rebuild destroyed cities, industries, roads, railways, and harbours.

Nuremberg Trials

The post-war trials held in Germany where high-ranking Nazi leaders were tried for war crimes, leading to the imprisonment of some and the execution of others.

Tokyo Trials

War crimes trials held in Tokyo where Japanese leaders were prosecuted, resulting in several executions and imprisonments.

Post-War Refugees

Millions displaced by 1950, including 11.5 million Germans expelled or fleeing from Eastern Europe, 2 million Poles forced from territory ceded to the USSR, and Jewish camp survivors residing in camps until emigrating to Israel in the late 1940s.

Division of Germany

The post-war partition of Germany into Soviet-controlled East Germany and American-, British-, and French-controlled West Germany, with the capital of Berlin similarly partitioned into East Berlin and West Berlin.

Post-War Occupation of Japan

The period until 1952 during which Japan was occupied by US forces; ended by a treaty that restored sovereignty, benefited the Japanese economy, and allowed the US to retain military bases.

Superpowers

The USA and the USSR (Soviet Union), which emerged from World War II far more powerful than other large nations such as Britain and France.

Cold War

The post-war conflict that arose as relations worsened between former Allies, driven by Western fears of Soviet communism and the USSR's installation of Communist governments in Eastern Europe.

Decolonisation

The post-war process from the late 1940s to the 1960s where European colonies gained their independence, ending centuries of European global supremacy as Britain and France were no longer strong enough to maintain empires.

European Unity

A movement promoted by European leaders to foster lasting peace on the continent following the destruction of both world wars, eventually leading to the creation of the European Union.

United Nations

An international organisation established after World War II to replace the League of Nations, with both the USA and USSR as members to promote international co-operation and maintain peace.