World War II - Key Concepts and Terms

Flashcards containing key vocabulary terms and definitions related to World War II, covering events, policies, political movements, and significant historical figures.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or military force.

Axis Powers

The coalition led by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Weimar Republic

The democratic government of Germany from 1919 until 1933, marked by hyperinflation and economic turmoil.

Nazi Party

A far-right political party in Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, that rose to power in the 1930s.

Hyperinflation

An extremely high and typically accelerating rate of inflation, often exceeding 50% per month.

Schutzstaffel (SS)

A major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, responsible for many of the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Gestapo

The secret police of Nazi Germany, known for their brutal tactics and enforcement of Nazi policies.

Propaganda

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Lebensraum

A term meaning 'living space'; used to justify German expansion into Eastern Europe.

Appeasement Policy

The diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an aggressive power to avoid conflict.

Nuremberg Laws

Racial laws enacted in 1935 that institutionalized many of the racial theories prevalent in Nazi ideology.

Kristallnacht

The Night of Broken Glass, November 9-10, 1938, when Nazis attacked Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues.

Ghettos

Urban areas in which Jews were forced to live, often under horrible conditions.

Executive Order 9066

A U.S. government order that led to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Lend-Lease Act

U.S. legislation that allowed for the transfer of arms and supplies to allies during World War II.

Island Hopping

A military strategy employed by the United States in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, which was a turning point in World War II.

VE Day

Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945, marking the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender.

VJ Day

Victory over Japan Day, August 14, 1945, marking the end of World War II following Japan's surrender.