World War II Review Notes
World War II Review Guide Notes
These comprehensive notes cover Modules 21:2-4 and Module 22:1-4, addressing key terms and concepts related to World War II.
Key Terms and Definitions
Weimar Republic: The German government established after World War I, known for its instability and economic problems.
Appeasement: A policy of giving concessions to an aggressor nation in hopes of avoiding war. Famously associated with Neville Chamberlain's dealings with Hitler.
Genocide: The systematic extermination of a group of people based on ethnicity, religion, nationality, or other factors.
Munich Conference: A 1938 meeting where Britain and France appeased Hitler by allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland.
Axis Powers: The main belligerent nations aligned against the Allied forces during World War II. Primarily Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Final Solution: Nazi Germany's plan to systematically exterminate the Jewish people during World War II.
Coalition Government: A government in which multiple political parties cooperate to form a government.
Isolationism: A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of foreign countries.
El Alamein: Site of a pivotal battle in North Africa where British forces defeated the Germans, marking a turning point in the war.
Reparations: Payments made by a defeated nation to compensate for war damages. Germany was burdened with heavy reparations after World War I as dictated by the Treaty of Versailles.
Third Reich: The Nazi regime in Germany, which lasted from 1933 to 1945, under Adolf Hitler.
Battle of Stalingrad: A major battle on the Eastern Front where Soviet forces defeated the German army, marking a crucial turning point in World War II.
Treaty of Versailles: The treaty that officially ended World War I, which imposed harsh terms on Germany, contributing to economic hardship and resentment.
Non-Aggression Pact: An agreement between two nations not to engage in military action against each other. Most notably, the pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939.
FDR: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the President of the United States during the Great Depression and most of World War II.
Inflation/Hyperinflation: A rapid increase/out-of-control increase in prices and a decrease in the value of money. Germany experienced hyperinflation in the 1920s.
Blitzkrieg: A military strategy involving swift, coordinated attacks by air and land forces; "lightning war."
Joseph Stalin: The dictator of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953.
Dawes Plan: A plan implemented in 1924 to resolve the issue of World War I reparations that Germany had to pay.
Maginot Line: A line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany.
Battle of the Bulge: A major German offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg on the Western Front toward the end of World War II in Europe.
Extremists: Individuals or groups that hold extreme political or religious views.
Operation Barbarossa: The code name for Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II.
Harry S. Truman: The President of the United States who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt and made the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan.
Benito Mussolini: The fascist dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943.
Pearl Harbor: The U.S. naval base in Hawaii that was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, leading to the United States entering World War II.
Adolf Hitler: The dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945.
Douglas MacArthur: A five-star general in the United States Army. He was Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II.
Nazism: The political ideology and practices associated with the Nazi Party in Germany, characterized by extreme nationalism, racism, and totalitarian control.
D-Day (Operation Overlord): The Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, marking the start of the campaign to liberate Western Europe from Nazi control.
Mein Kampf: An autobiographical manifesto by Adolf Hitler, outlining his political ideology and future plans for Germany.
Battle of Midway: A crucial naval battle in the Pacific where the United States defeated the Japanese fleet, marking a turning point in the Pacific Theater.
Lebensraum: A German term meaning "living space," which was a major motivation for Nazi Germany's territorial expansion.
Embargo: A government order that restricts trade with a specified country.
Communism: A political and economic ideology advocating a classless society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.
Island-Hopping: A military strategy used in the Pacific War, involving selectively attacking specific enemy-held islands and bypassing others.
Fascism: A political ideology characterized by authoritarian nationalism, dictatorial leadership, centralized control, and suppression of opposition.
Holocaust: The systematic persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during World War II.
Key Concepts and Historical Context
Economic Status Leading to War
Germany: Suffered economic hardship due to the Treaty of Versailles and hyperinflation. The Dawes Plan was implemented to resolve the issue of World War I reparations.
Italy: Experienced economic struggles and social unrest after World War I, creating an environment for fascist ideology to take hold.
Japan: Faced economic challenges and sought to expand its territory for resources and markets.
Reasons for War
Japan: Sought territorial expansion in Asia to obtain resources and establish dominance.
Germany: Aimed to overturn the Treaty of Versailles, reclaim lost territories, and expand its "Lebensraum" (living space).
Italy: Desired to create a new Roman Empire and gain control over territories in the Mediterranean.
Abandonment of Democracy
Germany: Economic struggles, political instability, and resentment over the Treaty of Versailles led to the rise of extremist ideologies like Nazism, which promised order and national revival.
Italy: Social unrest, economic problems, and the fear of communism paved the way for Mussolini's fascist regime, which offered stability and national pride.
Japan: The military gained increasing influence due to the desire for territorial expansion and resources. This led to a more authoritarian government.
Comparison of Fascist, Nazi, and Communist Ideologies
Fascism:
Authoritarian nationalism.
Dictatorial leadership.
Suppression of opposition.
Emphasis on the state above the individual.
Nazism:
A form of fascism with extreme racism and antisemitism.
Belief in the superiority of the Aryan race.
Aggressive expansionist policies.
Communism:
Classless society.
Public ownership of property.
International revolution.
Rise of Hitler and Mussolini
Adolf Hitler:
Exploited economic distress, resentment, and political instability in Germany.
Promoted Nazi ideology through propaganda and rallies.
Gained power through political maneuvering and the support of influential figures.
Benito Mussolini:
Capitalized on social unrest and fear of communism in Italy.
Organized the Fascist party and used violence and intimidation to gain support.
Marched on Rome and seized power in 1922.
Paths to WWII
Japan: Invaded Manchuria and China, pursuing an aggressive expansionist policy.
Germany: Violated the Treaty of Versailles by remilitarizing the Rhineland, annexing Austria (Anschluss), and invading Czechoslovakia.
Italy: Invaded Ethiopia and Albania, seeking to expand its empire.
Events Preceding WWII
Rhineland: Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland in 1936, violating the Treaty of Versailles.
Sudetenland: Germany annexed the Sudetenland in 1938 after the Munich Conference, where Britain and France adopted a policy of appeasement.
Austria: Germany annexed Austria in 1938 (Anschluss), further expanding its territory.
Failure of Appeasement
The policy of appeasement failed because it emboldened Hitler, who continued to violate agreements and pursue further territorial expansion. It allowed Germany to grow stronger and more aggressive.
U.S. Isolationism
The U.S. initially adopted a policy of isolationism due to the desire to avoid entanglement in European conflicts and focus on domestic issues, such as the Great Depression.
Non-Aggression Pact
Stalin and Hitler signed the non-aggression pact because it served their short-term interests. Stalin needed time to build up the Soviet military, while Hitler wanted to avoid a two-front war when invading Poland.
Start of World War II
World War II began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland.
German Attack Strategy
Germany typically attacked their enemy using blitzkrieg tactics, which involved swift, coordinated attacks by air and land forces.
Events Surrounding Poland, Fall of France, and Battle of Britain
Poland: Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, triggering World War II.
Fall of France: France fell to Germany in June 1940 after a rapid German advance.
Battle of Britain: Germany launched an air campaign against Britain in 1940, but the Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully defended the country.
Fate of France
France was divided into occupied and Vichy France, a collaborationist regime.
Downside of Attacking the Soviet Union
Hitler's decision to attack the Soviet Union opened up a second front and stretched German resources, ultimately contributing to Germany's defeat.
Similarities Between Leningrad and Stalingrad
The battles at Leningrad and Stalingrad were similar in that they both involved brutal urban warfare, heavy casualties, and significant sieges.
Deterioration of U.S. and Japan Relations
The U.S. and Japan's relationship deteriorated due to Japan's aggression in Asia, the U.S. embargo on strategic materials, and Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.
Treatment of Jews During the Holocaust
Hitler's treatment of Jews during the Holocaust involved systematic persecution, discrimination, forced relocation to ghettos, and ultimately, extermination in concentration camps.
U.S. Entry into World War II
The U.S. entered World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Pacific Campaign
The Pacific campaign involved island-hopping, naval battles, and intense fighting between U.S. and Japanese forces.
Pivotal Battles
Battle of El Alamein: Marked a turning point in North Africa, preventing the German advance into Egypt and the Suez Canal.
Battle of Midway: A crucial naval battle in the Pacific where the United States defeated the Japanese fleet, marking a turning point in the Pacific Theater.
D-Day Invasion: The Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, marking the start of the campaign to liberate Western Europe from Nazi control.
Battle of Stalingrad: A major battle on the Eastern Front where Soviet forces defeated the German army, marking a crucial turning point in World War II.
Truman's Decision to Drop Atomic Bombs
President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was based on the belief that it would force Japan to surrender and prevent a costly invasion of the Japanese mainland. The ethical implications of this decision continue to be debated.
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Cold War
A period of indirectA period of indirect
conflict between theconflict between the
U.S. and U.S.S.R.U.S. and U.S.S.R.
between the yearsbetween the years
1945-1989 resulting1945-1989 resulting
from mutual suspicionfrom mutual suspicion
over differing politicalover differing political
and economicand economic
ideologiesideologies
Cold War
(What did it entail?)(What did it entail?)
SpyingSpying
PropagandaPropaganda
DiplomacyDiplomacy
Secret OperationsSecret Operations
Where was it fought?
Eastern EuropeEastern Europe
SchoolsSchools
SpaceSpace
HollywoodHollywood
ChinaChina
VietnamVietnam
KoreaKorea
Germany (Berlin Wall)Germany (Berlin Wall)
CubaCuba
United States Aims in Europe
Encourage democracy in otherEncourage democracy in other
countries to help prevent thecountries to help prevent the
rise of Communistsrise of Communists
governmentsgovernments
Gain access to raw materialsGain access to raw materials
and markets to fuel boomingand markets to fuel booming
industriesindustries
Rebuild EuropeanRebuild European
governments to promotegovernments to promote
stability and create newstability and create new
markets for U.S. goodsmarkets for U.S. goods
Reunite Germany to stabilize itReunite Germany to stabilize it
and increase the security ofand increase the security of
EuropeEurope
Soviet Union Aims in Europe
Encourage communism inEncourage communism in
other countries as part of aother countries as part of a
worldwide workers’ revolutionworldwide workers’ revolution
Rebuild its war-ravagedRebuild its war-ravaged
economy using Easterneconomy using Eastern
Europe’s industrial equipmentEurope’s industrial equipment
and raw materialand raw material
Control Eastern Europe toControl Eastern Europe to
protect Soviet borders andprotect Soviet borders and
balance the U.S. influence inbalance the U.S. influence in
Western EuropeWestern Europe
Keep Germany divided toKeep Germany divided to
prevent its waging war againprevent its waging war again
Eastern Europe
CommunismCommunism
spreading like wildfirespreading like wildfire
as the Soviets rootas the Soviets root
the Germans out ofthe Germans out of
Poland andPoland and
CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia
U.S. committed toU.S. committed to
containingcontaining
communism but howcommunism but how
How does the U.S. work to contain
Communism?
Get Stalin to agree toGet Stalin to agree to
free elections in thosefree elections in those
countries that werecountries that were
formerly Naziformerly Nazi
occupiedoccupied
Stalin agrees;Stalin agrees;
however, phonyhowever, phony
elections will takeelections will take
place ensuring thatplace ensuring that
Communism prevailsCommunism prevails
What’s the Significance of CommunismWhat’s the Significance of Communism
Spreading in Eastern Europe?Spreading in Eastern Europe?
Supports Soviet’s goalsSupports Soviet’s goals
and hurts the U.S. goalsand hurts the U.S. goals
Stalin has successfullyStalin has successfully
built a wall (iron curtain)built a wall (iron curtain)
of satellite nations thatof satellite nations that
can protect his countrycan protect his country
Where’s the U.S. go fromWhere’s the U.S. go from
here now thathere now that
communism has spread?communism has spread?
U.S. Works to Contain Communism
Marshall Plan – aMarshall Plan – a
U.S. program ofU.S. program of
economic aid toeconomic aid to
European countries toEuropean countries to
help them rebuildhelp them rebuild
after WWIIafter WWII
Truman Doctrine –Truman Doctrine –
economic and militaryeconomic and military
aid to free nationsaid to free nations
threatened by internalthreatened by internal
or external opponentsor external opponents
Berlin Crisis
Showdown betweenShowdown between
the two superpowersthe two superpowers
West GermanyWest Germany
occupied by France,occupied by France,
U.S., and GreatU.S., and Great
BritainBritain
East GermanyEast Germany
occupied by U.S.S.R.occupied by U.S.S.R.
Same with BerlinSame with Berlin
Why Berlin?
Was important both politically and
psychologically
U.S., Britain, and France unified their
zones
Stalin moved quickly to close all highways
and rail routes into West Berlin; affected
about 2.5 million people (no food or fuel)
What’s Truman to do? Abandon
containment or risk a war
Berlin Airlift
4,500 tons of food,4,500 tons of food,
fuel, and suppliesfuel, and supplies
landed daily forlanded daily for
almost a yearalmost a year
What’s Stalin to do?What’s Stalin to do?
shoot down theshoot down the
planes or lift theplanes or lift the
blockadeblockade
Blockade is lifted andBlockade is lifted and
Stalin is defeatedStalin is defeated
Rival Alliances Arose
North Atlantic TreatyNorth Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO)Organization (NATO)
– 12 member military– 12 member military
alliance including thealliance including the
U.S.; promising toU.S.; promising to
support one another ifsupport one another if
attacked (works as aattacked (works as a
trip wire)trip wire)
Warsaw Pact -Warsaw Pact -
U.S.S.R.’s equivalentU.S.S.R.’s equivalent
to NATOto NATO
Cold War is a High-Stake Poker
Game
Democracy
Best system ofBest system of
governmentgovernment
Decisions onDecisions on
everything are madeeverything are made
by majority ruleby majority rule
Hypocritical toHypocritical to
promote democracypromote democracy
and capitalism at theand capitalism at the
same timesame time
True democracy, theyTrue democracy, they
argued, can only beargued, can only be
secured in ansecured in an
economic system thateconomic system that
rewards everyonerewards everyone
equallyequally
Equality
Equality can beEquality can be
defined three ways:defined three ways:
Equality ofEquality of
opportunityopportunity
Equality before theEquality before the
lawlaw
Equality of conditionEquality of condition
Equality of conditionEquality of condition
was essential for awas essential for a
healthy societyhealthy society
Society must share itsSociety must share its
material wealth tomaterial wealth to
ensure that no oneensure that no one
has an unfairhas an unfair
advantage overadvantage over
anotheranother
Capitalism
Economic system thatEconomic system that
provides the opportunityprovides the opportunity
for individuals to betterfor individuals to better
themselves through hardthemselves through hard
work and individualwork and individual
initiativeinitiative
The competitive nature ofThe competitive nature of
capitalism providescapitalism provides
incentives which bringsincentives which brings
out the best in people andout the best in people and
improves societyimproves society
Evil economic systemEvil economic system
Capitalist emphasis onCapitalist emphasis on
competition breedscompetition breeds
selfishness andselfishness and
undermines cooperationundermines cooperation
and communityand community
Individualism
Believe the outcome ofBelieve the outcome of
people’s lives arepeople’s lives are
determined not bydetermined not by
outward circumstances,outward circumstances,
which can be overcome,which can be overcome,
but by inner fortitude.but by inner fortitude.
All of society benefits ifAll of society benefits if
each individual reacheseach individual reaches
his or her highesthis or her highest
possible level ofpossible level of
achievementachievement
A society built uponA society built upon
individualism producesindividualism produces
some winners and manysome winners and many
loserslosers
Individualism results in aIndividualism results in a
society full of inequalitysociety full of inequality
and exploitation whereand exploitation where
the winners takethe winners take
advantage of the losersadvantage of the losers
Collectivism
Violates basic humanViolates basic human
nature-competitivenature-competitive
rather thanrather than
cooperativecooperative
Collective ownershipCollective ownership
of industry or landof industry or land
violated the rights ofviolated the rights of
individuals to ownindividuals to own
private propertyprivate property
Cooperation andCooperation and
caring are the finestcaring are the finest
parts of human natureparts of human nature
Allows the fruits ofAllows the fruits of
society’s labors to besociety’s labors to be
fairly distributedfairly distributed
Socialism
Emphasis onEmphasis on
government controlgovernment control
over the means ofover the means of
production underproduction under
socialism threatenssocialism threatens
one of Americans’one of Americans’
most basic rights-rightmost basic rights-right
to own and controlto own and control
propertyproperty
Government of aGovernment of a
ownership provided aownership provided a
means by whichmeans by which
wealth of a societywealth of a society
could be evenlycould be evenly
distributed to all thedistributed to all the
peoplepeople