World War II Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from World War II and associated events.

Manhattan Project

The secret project during World War II that developed the atomic bomb.

Nuremberg Trials

A series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute the leaders of Nazi Germany.

USS Arizona

A battleship of the United States Navy sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Potsdam Conference

The meeting of Allied leaders in 1945 to negotiate terms for the end of World War II.

Dumbarton Oaks Conference

A conference in 1944 that led to the establishment of the United Nations.

WACS OR WAVES

Women’s Army Corps (WACs) and Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) – women’s military units during World War II.

Braceros

Mexican laborers allowed into the U.S. to work on farms during World War II.

Executive Order 9906

The order that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Korematsu v. USA

The Supreme Court case that upheld the government's decision to intern Japanese Americans.

Normandy, France

The site of the D-Day landings during World War II in 1944.

Tehran Conference

The conference where Allied leaders discussed the strategy for the war against the Axis powers.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marked as a turning point in WWII.

V-E Day

Victory in Europe Day, celebrated on May 8, 1945, marking the official end of WWII in Europe.

V-J Day

A term that refers to the day the war officially ended, later known as V-J Day.

Double V Campaign

A campaign that aimed to achieve victory against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home.

Battle of Midway (1943)

A major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of WWII, marking a turning point in favor of the Allies.

Fascism

A far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power and strong regimentation.

Kristallnacht

A violent pogrom against Jews in Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

Blitzkrieg

A method of warfare characterized by rapid and surprise attacks.

Munich Agreement

The 1938 settlement allowing Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia.

Appeasement

The policy of making concessions to dictatorial powers to avoid conflict.

Non-Aggression Pact

A treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to avoid conflict between the two nations.

Winston Churchill

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during much of World War II, known for his leadership.

Battle of Britain

An aerial battle between the British Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe in 1940.

Neutrality Act

A series of laws aimed at keeping the United States out of international conflicts.

Cash and Carry

A policy requiring warring nations to pay cash for non-military goods and transport them themselves.

Lend-Lease Act

A program under which the U.S. supplied Allied nations with vast amounts of war material.

Atlantic Charter

A joint declaration by the U.S. and Britain outlining post-war goals.

Pearl Harbor

A surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base.

Executive Order 8802

issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 25, 1941, prohibited discrimination in the defense industry based on race, creed, color, or national origin.