World Waf 2

When did World War II begin?

WWII began on September 1, 1939.

What event triggered Canada to declare war in WWII?

Canada declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939.

Which totalitarian regimes rose during WWII?

Germany, Italy, and Japan.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Operation Barbarossa was the German invasion of the USSR that began in June 1941.

What was significant about the Soviet counteroffensive after Stalingrad?

It marked a turning point in the war following a brutal winter counteroffensive in 1942.

What event led to the US entering WWII?

The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941.

When did Canada declare war on Japan?

Canada declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941.

What occurred on D-Day?

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces invaded Normandy, with Canada at Juno Beach.

What was the result of the atomic bombings in August 1945?

The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9), leading to Japan's surrender.

When did Japan surrender in WWII?

Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945.

What was the Dieppe Raid?

The Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942, was a failed Allied assault that provided lessons for D-Day.

When did World War II end in Europe?

The war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945, with Germany's surrender.

What were the Nuremberg Trials?

They set a precedent for addressing war crimes after WWII.

When did World War II end in the Pacific?

The war in the Pacific ended on September 2, 1945, with Japan's surrender.

What was the Holocaust?

The Holocaust was the systematic genocide of 6 million Jews and 5 million others from 1933 to 1945.

What were the major concentration camps during the Holocaust?

Major camps included Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Dachau.

What significant outcome did the Holocaust lead to?

The Holocaust led to the establishment of human rights laws and the Nuremberg Trials.

What happened to Japanese Canadians during WWII?

22,000 Japanese Canadians were relocated and had their property confiscated.

When did the Canadian government apologize for Japanese internment?

The government apologized in 1988.

Who was William Lyon Mackenzie King?

Canada's Prime Minister during WWII who promoted unity and increased war production.

What legislation did Mackenzie King introduce?

He introduced the Canadian Citizenship Act in 1947.

Who was Winston Churchill?

The British Prime Minister who rallied Britain during key battles of WWII.

What strategy did Winston Churchill emphasize?

He focused on defeating Nazi Germany first.

Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?

The US President who shifted the nation from neutrality to active involvement in WWII.

What was Roosevelt's significance in the war?

He was key in Allied strategy and the establishment of the UN.

Who was Joseph Stalin?

The leader of the USSR who played a crucial role in defeating Nazi Germany.

What characterized Stalin's rule?

Stalin ruled a brutal totalitarian regime.

What was the significance of the Non-Aggression Pact?

It was broken when Germany invaded the USSR during Operation Barbarossa.

What was Germany's strategy in the early phases of WWII?

Germany employed blitzkrieg tactics for rapid invasions.

What role did Canada play at Juno Beach?

Canadian forces successfully landed and fought during the D-Day invasion.

What were the atomic bombs named that were dropped on Japan?

They were named 'Little Boy' (Hiroshima) and 'Fat Man' (Nagasaki).

What was the impact of the Nuremberg Trials?

They established accountability for war crimes.

What were the major battles of the Pacific Theater?

Major battles included Midway, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

What was the Battle of Britain?

A significant aerial campaign where Germany attempted to gain air superiority over the UK.

What event caused increased American participation in WWII?

The bombing of Pearl Harbor.

What were 'victory gardens'?

Gardens planted by citizens to support food production during the war.

Why was Stalingrad a turning point in WWII?

The defeat of Germany marked the beginning of the Soviet offensive push.

What was the 'Final Solution'?

The Nazi plan for the systematic extermination of the Jewish people.

How many total deaths resulted from the Holocaust?

Approximately 11 million people were killed.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Versailles for WWII?

The treaty's harsh terms contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany.

What year did Germany surrender?

Germany surrendered in 1945.

What was the significance of the Lend-Lease Act?

It allowed the US to supply Allies with war materials prior to entering the war.

What was the main goal of the Manhattan Project?

To develop atomic weapons during WWII.

What was the significance of the Battle of Midway?

A major turning point in the Pacific Theater, marking the shift to Allied offensives.

What was Fascism?

A totalitarian political ideology that promotes extreme nationalism and authoritarian leadership.

Who were the Axis powers?

Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Who were the Allied powers?

The major Allied powers included the United States, United Kingdom, USSR, and China.

What was the significance of the fall of Berlin in 1945?

It marked the collapse of Nazi Germany.

What was Operation Overlord?

The codename for the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

What did the Atlantic Charter outline?

It outlined the goals for post-war peace and cooperation between the US and UK.

What was the role of propaganda during WWII?

Propaganda was used to promote war efforts and boost morale.

What were war bonds?

Debt securities issued by a government to finance military operations during the war.

What was the significance of the Yalta Conference?

It was a meeting to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe.

What role did women play in WWII?

Women entered the workforce and served in various military roles.

What were concentration camps used for during WWII?

They were used for the detention and extermination of individuals deemed undesirable by the Nazis.