WWII Terms

aggression

Hostile or violent actions taken by a country against others (e.g., Germany's invasion of Poland).

totalitarianism

A form of government where a dictator has complete control over all aspects of life (e.g., Nazi Germany, Soviet Union).

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union during WWII; ruled with totalitarian control and led the USSR as part of the Allies.

Benito Mussolini

Fascist dictator of Italy who aligned with Hitler and the Axis Powers.

Spanish Civil War

A conflict in Spain where Franco's fascist forces, supported by Hitler and Mussolini, overthrew the republican government.

Francisco Franco

Leader of the Spanish Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War; established a fascist regime in Spain.

appeasement

The policy of giving in to aggressive nations to avoid war, exemplified by Britain and France allowing Hitler to annex Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)

U.S. president during most of WWII; supported the Allies and introduced programs like the Lend-Lease Act.

Anschluss

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938.

Neville Chamberlain

British Prime Minister known for his policy of appeasement toward Hitler.

Munich Pact (1938)

Agreement between Britain, France, and Germany that allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland in hopes of avoiding war.

Fascism

A political ideology that promotes nationalism, dictatorial rule, and suppression of opposition (e.g., Italy under Mussolini, Germany under Hitler).

Adolf Hitler

Austrian born Dictator of Germany, implement Fascism and caused WWII and Holocoust.

anti-semitic

Hostility or prejudice against Jewish people, which was central to Nazi ideology and the Holocaust.

Blitzkrieg ("Lightning War")

Germany's fast and coordinated military attack strategy using tanks, aircraft, and infantry.

Axis Powers

The alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII.

Allies

The alliance of the U.S., Britain, Soviet Union, France, and others against the

Axis Powers.

Winston Churchill

Prime Minister of Great Britain who led Britain through the war and opposed appeasement.

Neutrality Act of 1939

U.S. law that allowed the sale of arms to warring nations on a "cash-and-carry" basis, favoring the Allies.

Tripartite Pact (1940)

A military alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan, solidifying the Axis Powers.

Charles Lindbergh

Aviator and vocal isolationist who opposed U.S. involvement in the war.

Lend-Lease Act (1941)

U.S. policy that provided military aid to Allied nations before the U.S. formally entered the war.

Atlantic Charter (1941)

A joint declaration between the U.S. and Britain outlining war aims and post-war goals for democracy and peace.

Hideki Tojo

Prime Minister of Japan who led Japan's military expansion and approved the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)

Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii, leading the U.S. to enter WWII.

George Marshall

U.S. Army Chief of Staff who helped build up the U.S. military for the war.

Women's Army Corps (WAC)

U.S. Army group established during World War II so that women could serve in noncombat roles

Douglas MacArthur

U.S. general in the Pacific theater; led the defense of the Philippines and later oversaw Japan's post-war occupation.

Bataan Death March (1942

Forced march of U.S. and Filipino prisoners by the Japanese in the Philippines, leading to thousands of deaths.

Battle of the Coral Sea (1942)

Naval battle that stopped Japan's advance toward Australia.

Dwight Eisenhower

Supreme Allied Commander in Europe; led the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

George Patton

U.S. general known for his aggressive tank warfare in North Africa and Europe.

unconditional surrender

The requirement that a nation must surrender without any guarantees or conditions (demanded of Germany and Japan).

saturation bombing

Massive bombing campaigns to inflict maximum damage, often targeting cities.

strategic bombing

tactic of dropping bombs on key political and industrial targets

Tuskegee Airmen

African American fighter pilots who served with distinction in WWII.

Chester Nimitz

United States admiral of the Pacific fleet during World War II who used aircraft carriers to destroy the Japanese navy

Battle of Midway

Turning point battle in the Pacific where the U.S. decisively defeated the Japanese navy.

Omar Bradley

U.S. general who led ground forces in the European theater, including the D-Day invasion.

Holocaust

The Nazi genocide of 10 million Jews and millions of others

Kristallnacht

1938 Nazi attack on Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues

Genocide

The mass killings of a group based on race, religion, or ethnicity.

Concentration Camps

Prison camps for forced labor and imprisonment

Death Camps

Camps designed for mass murder (ex: Auschwitz)

Yalta Conference

1945 meeting of roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin to plan postwar Europe

Superpowers

Nations with dominant military, political, and economic power (US and USSR)

Geneva Convention

International rules for the humane treatment of prisoners of war

Nuremberg Trials

War crimes trials for Nazi leaders after WWII