Unit 6: WWII Vocab

Neutrality Act of 1939

Act that allowed nations at war to buy goods and arms in the United States if they paid cash and carried the merchandise on their own ships.

George Marshall

Became the army’s chief of staff in 1939. Used his quiet strength, negotiating skills, and planning genius to build a fighting force as quickly as possible. As Secretary of State after the war, he devised a plan of aid to help Western Europe recover. In 1950, he returned as Secretary of Defense at the start of the Korean War and helped to prepare the army one more time.

Tuskegee Airmen

African American squadron that escorted bombers in the air war over Europe during World War II.

Rationing

Government-controlled limits on the amount of certain goods that civilians could buy during wartime.

Women’s Army Corps (WAC)

United States Army group established during World War II so that women could serve in non-combat roles.

Battle of Midway

Turning point of World War II in the Pacific, in which the Japanese advance was stopped.

Office of War Information

Government agency that encouraged support of the war effort during World War II.

Bataan Death March

During World War II, the forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war under brutal conditions led by the Japanese military.

Bracero Program

Plan that brought laborers from Mexico to work on American farms.

War Bond

This could be bought to fund a war effort, redeemable for interest after a certain period of time.

Demographics

Statistics that show human characteristics of a population.

442nd Regimental Combat Team

World War II unit made up of Japanese American volunteers.

Battle of the Bulge

Last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II; it was an unsuccessful attempt to push back the Allies that crippled Germany by forcing it to use more resources than it could afford.

Island-Hopping

World War II strategy that involved seizing selected Japanese-held islands in the Pacific while bypassing others.

Benito Mussolini

Fascist leader and dictator of Italy, was called Il Duce (“the leader”), established a totalitarian dictatorship that promoted extreme nationalism. During his dictatorship, Italy invaded Ethiopia and partnered w/ Germany during World War II.

Harry S. Truman

US President after FDR’s death that led the nation during the final months of World War II, making the decision to use atomic weapons against Japan. In the early years of the Cold War, he worked to rebuild Europe and to oppose the spread of communism.

Douglas MacArthur

Bravely commanded American troops in World War I, was supreme commander of Allied forces in the Pacific (1942-1945) when he accepted Japan’s surrender to end World War II.

Atlantic Charter

Pact signed by Great Britain and the United States that endorsed certain principles for building a lasting peace and establishing free governments in the world.

Adolf Hitler

Leader of the Nazi party + dictator of Germany from 1933–1945. Rose to power by promoting racist and nationalist views. Invaded Poland in 1939, beginning World War II. Established concentration camps, leading to the Holocaust.

Winston Churchill

Prime Minister of Great Britain (1940-1945) and Allied leader, inspired the British during World War II, was not re-elected after the war (did resume office again between 1951 to 1955), strongly opposed the expansion of Soviet communism (nations under communism as being behind the “Iron Curtain”).

Appeasement

Policy of granting concessions in order to keep peace.

Totalitarianism

A theory of government in which a single party or leader controls the economic, social, and cultural lives of its people.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Only president elected for 4 terms, originally wanted to stay out of the war but changed his mind since he felt the U.S. needed to help the Allies: “Arsenal of Democracy.” Passed Lend-Lease Act & Executive Order 8802.

Joseph Stalin

leader of communist Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) from 1924–1953. His efforts to transform the Soviet Union into an industrial power and form state-run collective farms caused extreme hardship and millions of deaths. A partner with Germany in 1939, he later joined the Allies in World War II.

Manhattan Project

Code name of the U.S. government research project that developed the atomic bomb.

Hideki Tojo

was Japan’s prime minister in October of 1941 when plans were already underway to attack the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor. He led Japan until July 1944. After the war, he was tried for war crimes and hanged in December 1948.

Axis Powers

Group of countries led by Germany, Italy, and Japan in World War II.

Allies

Group of countries led by Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union in World War II.

Fascism

A political movement that stressed extreme nationalism and autocratic rule.

Dwight Eisenhower

Was given command of all American forces in Europe in 1942. After strong performances in North Africa and Italy, he was made Supreme Commander of Allied Forces. His skillful handling of the D-Day invasion and the drive to Germany won wide respect. Went on to serve two terms as President before retiring.

Pearl Harbor

American military base attacked by the Japanese on December 7th, 1941.