World War II Review

World War II Review

I. Causes of the War

* The Treaty of Versailles: Imposed harsh penalties on Germany after World War I, fostering resentment and instability.

* Rise of Fascism and Totalitarianism:

* Fascism in Italy under Benito Mussolini and Nazism in Germany under Adolf Hitler promoted aggressive nationalism and expansionism.

* Totalitarianism in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin suppressed individual rights and pursued state control.

* Japanese Expansionism: Japan sought to dominate Asia and expand its empire.

* Appeasement: Britain and France's policy of giving in to Hitler's demands failed to stop his aggression.

* Failure of the League of Nations: The League proved ineffective in preventing aggression by Germany, Italy, and Japan.

II. Major Players

* Allied Powers:

* Great Britain (Winston Churchill)

* Soviet Union (Joseph Stalin)

* United States (Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman)

* China (Chiang Kai-shek)

* Axis Powers:

* Germany (Adolf Hitler)

* Italy (Benito Mussolini)

* Japan (Emperor Hirohito, Hideki Tojo)

III. Key Events

* 1939: Germany invades Poland, marking the start of the war.

* 1940:

* Germany conquers France.

* Battle of Britain: Germany's air campaign against Britain fails.

* 1941:

* Germany invades the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa).

* Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, bringing the United States into the war.

* 1942-1943:

* Battle of Stalingrad: A major turning point on the Eastern Front, marking the beginning of Germany's retreat.

* Battle of Midway: A crucial naval battle in the Pacific, halting Japan's advance.

* 1944:

* D-Day: Allied invasion of Normandy, France, opening the Western Front.

* 1945:

* Germany surrenders.

* United States drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

* Japan surrenders, ending the war.

IV. Theaters of War

* European Theater: Fighting in Europe and North Africa.

* Pacific Theater: Fighting in the Pacific Ocean and Asia.

* Eastern Front: Fighting between Germany and the Soviet Union.

V. The Holocaust

* The systematic persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

* Other groups targeted included Roma, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and political opponents.

VI. Consequences of the War

* Millions of deaths and widespread destruction.

* Rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers.

* Beginning of the Cold War.

* Formation of the United Nations.

* Decolonization: Independence movements in former European colonies gained momentum.

VII. Key Terms

* Appeasement

* Axis Powers

* Allied Powers

* Blitzkrieg

* Holocaust

* D-Day

* Atomic Bomb

* Cold War

VIII. Review Questions

* What were the major causes of World War II?

* Who were the key Allied and Axis leaders?

* Describe three major turning points of the war.

* What was the significance of D-Day?

* Explain the Holocaust.

* What were the major consequences of World War II?