WWII Review

What was the significance of Mussolini in World War II?

Mussolini was the leader of Italy and a key figure in the Axis Powers, promoting fascism and joining Hitler's military campaigns.

What role did Hitler play during World War II?

Hitler was the dictator of Nazi Germany, responsible for initiating the war and implementing policies that led to the Holocaust.

Who was FDR (Roosevelt) and what was his role in WWII?

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President of the United States during most of WWII and played a pivotal role in establishing Allied strategies.

What was Stalin's role during World War II?

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union, initially signing a non-aggression pact with Germany before ultimately joining the Allies.

What was Eisenhower's contribution to World War II?

Dwight D. Eisenhower served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe, overseeing major operations like D-Day.

What was Pearl Harbor and its significance?

Pearl Harbor was a surprise military attack by Japan on December 7, 1941, leading the U.S. to enter WWII.

What happened in the Philippines during WWII?

The Philippines were invaded by Japan in 1941, leading to significant battles, including the Bataan Death March following the fall of Corregidor.

What was the Doolittle Raid?

The Doolittle Raid was the first air raid by the United States on the Japanese capital Tokyo on April 18, 1942, aiming to boost American morale.

What was the Battle of Okinawa?

The Battle of Okinawa (1945) was one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Theater, providing a strategic base for Allied forces.

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces, contributing significantly during WWII.

What is Blitzkrieg?

Blitzkrieg, or 'lightning war', refers to a military strategy used by Nazi Germany involving rapid and coordinated attacks to overwhelm opponents.

What were the Neutrality Acts?

The Neutrality Acts were a series of laws passed in the 1930s by the U.S. Congress aimed at keeping the U.S. out of international conflicts.

What were the Nuremberg Laws?

The Nuremberg Laws were anti-Semitic laws enacted in Nazi Germany that stripped Jews of their citizenship and rights.

What was the Wannsee Conference?

The Wannsee Conference was a 1942 meeting of Nazi officials to discuss the implementation of the Final Solution for the extermination of Jews.

What was the Lend-Lease Act?

The Lend-Lease Act was a U.S. policy allowing the government to provide military aid to foreign nations fighting against the Axis Powers.

What does Kamikaze refer to?

Kamikaze were Japanese suicide pilots who conducted attacks against Allied ships during WWII.

What was the significance of Normandy?

Normandy was the site of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, a major turning point in the war with the Allied forces storming the beaches.

What was the Battle of Midway?

The Battle of Midway (1942) was a crucial naval battle that marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater in favor of the Allies.

What happened in Hiroshima?

Hiroshima was the first city targeted with an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945, leading to massive destruction and loss of life.

What were the Nuremberg Trials?

The Nuremberg Trials were military tribunals held after WWII to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes.

Who were the Navajo Code Talkers?

The Navajo Code Talkers were Native American Marines who created and used an unbreakable code based on the Navajo language during WWII.

What was the Bracero Program?

The Bracero Program was a series of laws and diplomatic agreements between the U.S. and Mexico for the importation of temporary laborers.

What was Kristallnacht?

Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, was a violent anti-Jewish pogrom in Germany on November 9-10, 1938, marking a turning point in Nazi policy.

Who were the Axis Powers?

The Axis Powers were the coalition of countries led by Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII.

What is Mein Kampf?

Mein Kampf is a book written by Adolf Hitler outlining his ideology, policies for Germany, and plans for racial purity.

What was the Final Solution?

The Final Solution was the Nazi plan for the systematic extermination of the Jewish people during the Holocaust.

What is cost-plus?

Cost-plus is a contracting method where the contractor is paid for all costs incurred plus a guaranteed percentage for profit.

What was Operation Overlord?

Operation Overlord was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day.

Who is Rosie the Riveter?

Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon representing women's contributions in the workforce during WWII.

Who was Truman and what was his key role after WWII?

Harry S. Truman became the U.S. President after FDR's death and made the decision to use atomic bombs against Japan.

What was MacArthur's significance during WWII?

Douglas MacArthur was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific and oversaw the liberation of the Philippines.

What happened at Iwo Jima?

The Battle of Iwo Jima (1945) was a critical battle in the Pacific Theater known for its intense fighting and the iconic flag-raising photograph.

What was Dunkirk?

Dunkirk was the site of the evacuation of Allied troops from France in 1940, a critical moment early in WWII.

What does D-Day refer to?

D-Day refers to June 6, 1944, when Allied forces launched a massive invasion against German-occupied France.

What was the 442nd Regimental Combat Team?

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was an all-Japanese American unit that became the most decorated unit for its size in U.S. military history.

What was the Munich Conference?

The Munich Conference of 1938 was held to address the territorial disputes in Europe, ultimately leading to appeasement toward Hitler.

What characterized the rise of dictators and authoritarianism in the 1930s?

The rise of dictators during the 1930s was characterized by the emergence of totalitarian regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan, with leaders like Hitler, Mussolini, and militaristic leaders in Japan, who exploited economic instability and promoted aggressive nationalist policies.

Who were the main Axis and Allied powers in World War II?

The main Axis Powers included Germany, Italy, and Japan, while the Allied Powers consisted of the United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and China.

What were Hitler's main goals during World War II?

Hitler's main goals included the expansion of German territory, the establishment of Aryan supremacy, and the extermination of Jews and other groups he deemed inferior, influenced by the perceived lessons of the Munich Agreement.

What was the Holocaust?

The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and annihilation of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during World War II.

What event started the war in Europe?

The invasion of Poland by Germany on September 1, 1939, marked the beginning of World War II in Europe.

What actions did FDR take to help the U.K. in the Pacific before World War II?

Before America entered WWII, FDR implemented the Lend-Lease Act to provide military aid to the UK and other Allied nations in their fight against Axis powers.

What event triggered U.S. entry into World War II?

The bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941, triggered the U.S. entry into World War II.

What was the significance of U.S. government laws before and during the war?

U.S. government laws such as the Neutrality Acts were designed to keep the U.S. out of foreign conflicts, while laws like the Lend-Lease Act and Executive Order 9066 had substantial impacts during the war.

What were the government policies and economic actions on the Homefront during the war?

Government policies on the Homefront included rationing, war production initiatives, and promoting women in the workforce, significantly impacting the U.S. economy and societal roles.

What were the Allied plans for entering the war and achieving victory in Europe and Japan?

Allied plans included a strategy of defeating Germany first while coordinating efforts in the Pacific, leading to significant operations like D-Day in Europe and island-hopping campaigns against Japan.

What were some significant battles and turning points in the war?

Significant battles included the Battle of Midway, D-Day, and the Battle of Stalingrad, which marked crucial turning points in favor of the Allies.

What contributions did people of color and women make to the war effort?

People of color served in various capacities including the Tuskegee Airmen and Navajo Code Talkers, while women contributed through workforce roles exemplified by 'Rosie the Riveter'.

What discrimination policies did the U.S. government enforce against Japanese Americans?

The U.S. government enforced internment policies, including Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

What events marked the end of the war in Europe and the Pacific?

The surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945 (V-E Day) marked the end of the war in Europe, while Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945 (V-J Day) marked the conclusion of the war in the Pacific.