Knowt
Note
Studied by 14 people
Unit 13: World War 2 Study Guide
Be sure to know the Unit 8 Vocabulary.
Why were dictators like Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin able to gain so much power in Europe during the 1930’s? (Hint: Great Depression) What promises did they make to the people of their nations?
These dictators promised to revive their nations economy from the Great Depression and to restore their nations to great power.
They promised to make the lives of the people living in their nations better.
Hitler also gave the Germans a common enemy or someone to blame (Jewish people) for the problems facing Germany.
What policy did European leaders, like Great Britain’s Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, take towards Hitler and Germany as they began to violate the Treaty of Versailles? Why did they follow this policy?
The policy became known as “appeasment.” This meant that the European leaders will willing to allow Hitler to break the Treaty of Versailles in order to avoid going to war.
Because of how terrible World War 1 was these leaders were terrified of another war.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles? (How did the treaty punish Germany?)
Germany was forced to take full responsibility for WW1.
Some of Germany’s land was taken and given to other nations. This had an incredibly negative impact on Germany’s economy.
Germany was forced to pay billions of dollars in reparations.
Germany was only allowed to have a standing army of 100,000 men.
Germany was forbidden to annex Austria.
What was the “non-aggression” pact signed between Germany and the Soviet Union?
Hitler hoped to avoid a 2 front war. At first he did not want to fight against Britain and the allies on the Western front and have to fight against the Soviets on an Eastern front.
What was the importance of the outcome of the Battle of Britain for the Allies?
The 3 major nations that made up the Allies were Great Britain, the US and the Soviet Union.
Despite devastating bombing by the German Luftwaffe (airforce) Britain was able to hold off Germany in the Battle of Britain.
This was important because the Allies were able to use Britain as a planning and launching point for their invasion of France on D-Day.
What was the US foreign policy when the war began in Europe in 1939?
The US foreign policy was known as Isolationism. This meant that the US would not become involved in foreign alliances, especially in Europe.
Due to this policy the US tried to avoid becoming involved in WW2. This changed when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
Briefly describe the role that each Axis Power leader took during World War 2.
Hideki Tojo | He was a general who became Prime Minister of Japan during WW2 |
Adolph Hitler | He was the fascist dictator of Germany who indoctrinated the people of Germany, especially children, with anti semitic views. |
Benito Mussolini | He was the fascist leader of Italy |
What event led to the US declaring war on Japan and then on Germany and Italy?
The event that led the US to declaring war on Japan and then on Germany and Italy was Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.
Explain the ways that Americans supported the war effort on the Homefront.
Rationing | Office of Price Administration limits availability of essential items. Meat, sugar, coffee, canned foods, fuel, nylons, & shoes all require ration coupons |
War Bonds | Sold by the government to finance the war Allows all Americans to show support for the war effort |
War Production Board/Wartime Economy | Oversees transition to a wartime economy “Rosie the Riveter” symbolizes female workers |
Propaganda | Promotes conservation, Buying of war bonds, Any message to keep Americans focused on the war effort |
African Americans | They served in segregated units |
Describe the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War 2. Make sure to explain Japanese Internment camps.
During World War II, the U.S. government forced some 120,000 Japanese Americans to leave their homes. They were moved to internment centers, or concentration camps, where they were confined for the rest of the war. The camps were officially called relocation centers. Between 1942 and 1945, a total of 10 camps were opened, mainly in remote areas of the western states. The Japanese Americans who were detained in the camps lost their freedom, their civil liberties, their jobs, and in most cases their property as well. Most of them were U.S. citizens.
How was Hitler able to gain support for racist ideas against the Jews in Germany?
By blaming Jewish people for the German defeat in WW1 and for the severe economic problems facing Germany during the Great Depression he gave the German people a common enemy to focus on.
Why did Germany finally surrender?
The United States, Great Britain and other allies had pushed the German army back to Germany from the West.
The Soviet Union had pushed the German army back to Germany from the East.
Hitler and a few other German leaders committed suicide.
The Germans knew there was no way to turn the war around and win.
What was the goal of Hitler and Nazi Germany’s “final solution to the Jewish question”?
The goal of the final solution was to completely wipe out the Jewish race in Europe.
The Germans turned some of their concentration camps into mass extermination camps (i.e. Auschwitz).
Millions were murdered in gas chambers and then cremated in large ovens.
Others starved or were worked to death.
Firing squads were also used as a method of execution.
An estimated 6 million Jews were murdered.