USH II - WWII Vocab

Just War Theory

A philosophical framework determining whether a war is morally justified, including criteria for starting war (jus ad bellum) and conduct in war (jus in bello).

Neutrality Acts (1935-1939)

A series of U.S. laws aiming to keep America out of foreign conflicts by restricting trade and financial aid to warring nations.

Cash & Carry (1939)

Allowed Britain and France to buy U.S. arms as long as they paid upfront and transported them themselves, avoiding U.S. involvement.

Lend-Lease Act (1941)

Expanded U.S. aid to Britain, the Soviet Union, and China by loaning weapons and supplies, signaling stronger U.S. involvement before entering the war.

Pearl Harbor (Dec 7, 1941)

Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii led to America's entry into WWII.

Four Freedoms (1941)

President Roosevelt's speech outlined four fundamental freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear, shaping U.S. war aims.

The Atlantic Charter (1941)

A U.S.-Britain agreement outlining post-war goals like self-determination, free trade, and collective security, forming the foundation for the United Nations.

The Homefront

The domestic impact of WWII, including economic mobilization, propaganda, rationing, and increased workforce participation (especially by women and minorities).

Executive Order 9066 (1942)

FDR's order that led to the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans in camps due to national security fears.

Japanese-American Internment

The imprisonment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans, mainly on the West Coast, violating their civil liberties.

Rosie the Riveter

A cultural icon representing women's role in wartime industries, encouraging female workers to support the war effort.

Battle of the Atlantic (1939-1945)

A prolonged naval battle between Allied forces and German U-boats for control of shipping lanes, critical for supplies to Britain.

D-Day (June 6, 1944)

The Allied invasion of Normandy, France, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.

V-E Day (May 8, 1945)

Victory in Europe Day, marking Germany's unconditional surrender and the official end of WWII in Europe.

V-J Day (Aug 15, 1945 / Sept 2, 1945)

Victory over Japan Day, celebrating Japan's surrender and the official end of WWII.

Battle of Midway (June 1942)

A turning point in the Pacific War, where U.S. forces destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers, shifting the momentum in favor of the Allies.

Island Hopping

The U.S. military strategy of capturing strategic islands in the Pacific while bypassing heavily fortified ones, leading to Japan's eventual defeat.

Iwo Jima & Okinawa (1945)

Two of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific; Iwo Jima was key for airstrikes on Japan, while Okinawa was the last major island before reaching Japan.

Manhattan Project

The secret U.S. project to develop the atomic bomb, resulting in the first nuclear weapons.

Potsdam Declaration (July 1945)

The Allies' demand for Japan's unconditional surrender, warning of 'prompt and utter destruction' if Japan refused.

Firebombing

Massive incendiary bomb attacks on cities like Tokyo, causing more destruction than the atomic bombs in some cases.

Hiroshima & Nagasaki (Aug 6 & 9, 1945)

The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on these cities, leading to Japan's surrender.

Unconditional Surrender

A surrender without any guarantees or negotiations; both Germany and Japan were forced to accept total defeat.

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

Meeting between Truman, Churchill, and Stalin to discuss post-war Europe, the occupation of Germany, and Japan's surrender.

President Truman (1945-1953)

Became president after FDR's death, made the decision to use the atomic bomb, led the U.S. during the end of WWII, and shaped early Cold War policies.