ww2

Causes of WWII

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What is Nationalism

Extreme pride in one’s nation; desire for expansion.

What is Militarism

Building powerful armies; Germany & Japan rearmed aggressively.

What is Appeasement

Britain & France giving in to Hitler’s demands (Munich Agreement, 1938).

What is Anti‑Communism

Fear of Soviet communism; some Western nations tolerated fascism.

How did the Economic Depression contribute to WWII

1930s poverty led people to support extremist leaders.

How did the Rise of Hitler cause WWII

Became Chancellor in 1933; promised to restore Germany; pursued expansion.

What is Fascism

Extreme nationalism, dictatorship, militarism.

How did the Treaty of Versailles cause WWII

Harsh penalties on Germany created anger and instability.

What was Japanese Expansionism

Japan invaded Manchuria (1931) and China (1937) seeking resources.

Failure of the League of Nations

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Why did the League of Nations fail

It had no military force to enforce decisions.

Why was the U.S. not joining significant

It weakened the League’s authority.

What aggressions did the League fail to stop

Japan (1931), Italy (1935), Hitler’s violations (1930s).

What message did dictators learn

They could act without consequences.

Rise of Dictators

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Who was Hitler

Nazi dictator of Germany; rearmed the nation; started WWII; responsible for the Holocaust.

Who was Mussolini

Fascist dictator of Italy; “Il Duce”; invaded Ethiopia; allied with Hitler.

Who was Stalin

Communist dictator of the USSR; used purges and secret police; joined Allies after 1941.

Totalitarian Governments & Political Systems

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What is Totalitarianism

Government controls all aspects of life; no freedoms.

What tools do totalitarian governments use

Propaganda, censorship, secret police, fear, indoctrination.

What is Socialism

Government controls major industries; aims for equality.

What is Communism

Classless society; state controls everything.

What is Fascism

Extreme nationalism, dictatorship, militarism.

What is Capitalism

Private ownership and free markets.

German & Italian Alliance

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What was the Rome–Berlin Axis

Alliance between Germany and Italy; later joined by Japan → Axis Powers.

The Nazi Party

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What were the core beliefs of the Nazi Party

Racism, antisemitism, Aryan supremacy, dictatorship, expansion (Lebensraum).

How did the Nazis control Germany

Propaganda, terror, censorship, secret police.

Weapons of WWII

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What were key WWII weapons

Tanks, aircraft, U‑boats, machine guns, grenades, atomic bombs.

Early Battles (1939–1941)

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What happened during the Invasion of Poland

Germany invaded from west; USSR from east; started WWII; Poland fell in 6 weeks.

What was Dunkirk

Allied evacuation (Operation Dynamo); 350,000 troops rescued.

What was the Battle of Britain

RAF vs. Luftwaffe; Britain survived due to radar; Hitler postponed invasion.

What happened at Pearl Harbor

Japan attacked U.S. naval base; U.S. entered WWII.

The Manhattan Project

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What was the Manhattan Project

Secret U.S. program (1942–45) to build atomic bombs used on Japan.

Major Battles (1943–1945)

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What was the Battle for Italy

Allies invaded Sicily → mainland Italy; Mussolini removed from power.

What happened at Ortona

Canadians fought house‑to‑house; major Canadian victory.

What was D‑Day

Operation Overlord; largest amphibious invasion; opened Western Front.

What is VE Day

Victory in Europe; Germany surrendered.

What happened at Hiroshima & Nagasaki

U.S. dropped atomic bombs; Japan surrendered → VJ Day.

Canada’s Role in WWII

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How did Canadian women contribute

Worked in factories, shipyards, aircraft production; served in military support roles.

What was the Conscription Crisis

Debate over forcing men to fight; PM King sent limited conscripts.

What was Japanese Internment

Japanese Canadians removed from BC coast; property taken; families sent to camps.

Results of WWII

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What was the impact of atomic weapons

Started the nuclear age; increased Cold War tensions.

What is the United Nations

Organization formed to prevent future wars; Canada was a founding member.

What was the Baby Boom

Huge increase in births after soldiers returned home.

The Holocaust

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What were conditions in Nazi camps

Forced labour, starvation, disease, family separation, mass murder.

Name major concentration camps

Auschwitz, Treblinka, Dachau, Bergen‑Belsen.

Who was Anne Frank

Jewish girl hiding in Amsterdam; died in Bergen‑Belsen; diary became famous.

What was the Nazi genocide

Systematic murder of 6 million Jews + millions of others.