Road to WWII

US History II H world war 2 test Unit 6

Japanese Invasion of Manchuria

In September 1931, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Manchuria, causing the establishment of the Japanese-dominated state of Manchukuo in the area. The invasion was triggered by a dispute near the Chinese city of Mukden, which led to the seizure of the Manchurian city of Mukden by Japanese troops

Spanish Civil War

A military revolt by Nationalist rebels, supported by conservative elements within the country, against the Republican government of Spain. It broke out in July 1936 after a group of conservative military tried to overthrow the progressive government of the Popular Front, elected in February of the same year.

Abraham Lincoln Brigade

American volunteers who fought against Franco's forces in the Spanish Civil War, composed mainly of left-wing activists

Japanese Invasion of China

Conflict between China and Japan, marking the beginning of World War II in Asia

Invasion of Poland

Germany's invasion of Poland (BLITZKRIEG RAHHHHH) marked the beginning of World War II in Europe

Hitler’s legality strategy

Hitler used legal mechanisms and propaganda to legitimize his actions and consolidate power in Germany

Enabling Act (German)

Legislation that gave Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers in Germany.

German-American Bund

A German-American Nazi organization which was established in 1936 as a successor to the Friends of New Germany. The organization chose its new name in order to emphasize its American credentials after the press accused it of being unpatriotic

Camp Seigfried

Pro-Nazi summer camp in NY

Dorothy Thompson

American journalist and radio broadcaster known for her criticism of Hitler and the Nazi regime

NJ Race Libel Law

Legislation passed in New Jersey targeting anti-Nazi propaganda.

Anticomintern Pact

Pact between Germany and Japan aimed at combating the spread of Communism

Nazi-Soviet Pact

Non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, leading to the division of Poland

Tripartite Pact

Agreement between Germany, Italy, and Japan forming the Axis powers.

The Munich Pact

Agreement allowing Nazi Germany to annex part of Czechoslovakia.

NYE Committee hearings

U.S. Senate hearings investigating the role of arms manufacturers in World War I and advocating for neutrality

America First Committee

Isolationist organization in the United States advocating against U.S. involvement in World War II

Charles Lindbergh

American aviator and spokesperson for the America First Committee, known for his isolationist views

Dr. Suess

political cartoon man y’know

Neutrality Acts (1935, ‘36, ‘37, ‘39)

‘35: prohibiting the export of “arms, ammunition, and implements of war” from the United States to foreign nations at war and requiring arms manufacturers in the United States to apply for an export license

‘36: prohibited Americans from extending any loans to belligerent nations

‘37: belligerent nations were allowed, at the discretion of the President, to acquire any items except arms from the United States, so long as they immediately paid for such items and carried them on non-American ships

‘39: lifted the arms embargo and put all trade with belligerent nations under the terms of “cash-and-carry.”

Stimson Doctrine

U.S. policy stating it would not recognize territorial changes resulting from aggression

Election 1940

U.S. presidential election won by Franklin D. Roosevelt for a third term.

Destroyers Deal

Agreement between the U.S. and Britain exchanging American destroyers for access to British naval bases

Lend Lease Act

Legislation allowing the U.S. to provide military aid to allied nations during World War II

Selective Service Act

U.S. legislation instituting the first peacetime draft in American history

Atlantic Charter

Agreement between Roosevelt and Churchill outlining post-war goals and principles

Panay incident

Japanese attack on the U.S. gunboat Panay in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War

Greer incident

U-boat attack on the U.S. destroyer Greer, leading to the U.S. escorting convoys in the Atlantic

Japanese invasion of French Indochina

Japanese occupation of French Indochina, prompting U.S. sanctions

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Japanese naval officer who planned the Pearl Harbor attack

Pearl Harbor attack

Surprise military strike by the Japanese on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii, leading to U.S. entry into World War II

Janette Rankin

First woman elected to Congress, who voted against U.S. entry into both World Wars

Effects of Versailles Treaty on rise of Nazism

The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the economic and political instability in Germany, fueling support for extremist parties like the Nazis

Debating U.S. neutrality (isolationists vs. interventionists)

Conflict between those who advocated for U.S. isolationism and those who argued for intervention in World War II

Evolution of US / Soviet relations

Shifting relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during World War II, from cooperation to tension

Deterioration of US / Japanese relations prior to Pearl Harbor

Increasing tensions between the U.S. and Japan due to Japanese expansionism and American opposition in the Pacific

Citizen “upstanders” to fascist aggression

Individuals who actively resisted and protested against fascist regimes and aggression during World War II