WWII

: What were the main causes of WWII?

A:

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Rise of totalitarian regimes (Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo)

Expansionism (Germany, Italy, Japan)

Appeasement by Britain and France

Failure of the League of Nations

What was the Munich Agreement (1938)?

A: Britain and France allowed Hitler to annex Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) in hopes of avoiding war — an example of appeasement.

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact)?

A: A non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, secretly agreeing to divide Poland.

Q: What event started WWII?

A: Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.

Q: Who were the Allied Powers?

A: Britain, France, Soviet Union (after 1941), USA (after 1941), China, and others.

Q: Who were the Axis Powers?

A: Germany, Italy, Japan.

Q: What happened during the Battle of Britain (1940)?

A: Germany’s failed air campaign to force Britain to surrender; defended by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Q: What was Operation Barbarossa (1941)?

A: Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union — led to brutal fighting and heavy losses on both sides.

Q: What brought the U.S. into WWII?

A: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Q: What was the Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43)?

A: A turning point; Soviet victory marked the beginning of Germany’s decline on the Eastern Front.

Q: What was D-Day (June 6, 1944)?

A: The Allied invasion of Normandy, France — began the liberation of Western Europe.

Q: What was the Battle of the Bulge (1944–45)?

A: Germany’s last major offensive in the West — failed to turn the tide.

Q: What was Japan’s goal in WWII?

A: Dominate the Asia-Pacific region and control resources.

Q: What was the Bataan Death March?

A: Forced march of American and Filipino POWs by Japan; thousands died.

Q: What was the Battle of Midway (1942)?

A: A turning point in the Pacific; U.S. sank 4 Japanese aircraft carriers.

Q: What ended the war in the Pacific?

A: The atomic bombings of Hiroshima (Aug 6) and Nagasaki (Aug 9) — Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945.

Q: What was the Holocaust?

A: The systematic genocide of 6 million Jews and millions of others (Roma, disabled, Slavs) by Nazi Germany.

Q: What were the Nuremberg Trials?

A: Trials of Nazi leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity after WWII.

Q: What were Japanese war crimes?

A: Atrocities such as the Rape of Nanking and POW abuse led to trials and executions after the war.

Q: What were the human costs of WWII?

A: Estimated 70–85 million deaths (military & civilian), including genocide victims.

Q: What happened to Germany after the war?

A: Divided into East (Soviet) and West (Allied) zones; Berlin also divided.

Q: What was the United Nations?

A: Founded in 1945 to prevent future conflicts and promote international cooperation.

Q: What two superpowers emerged after WWII?

A: USA and USSR, leading to the Cold War.