World War 2 Test Study Guide

• United States entry into World War 2 (who, what, when, where, why) 

Who was involved? : Main countries were the U.S and Japan. After the U.S declared war on Japan, Germany and Italy (Japan’s allies in the Axis Powers) declared war on the U.S. 

The U.S was part of the Allied powers along with Great Britain, the Soviet Union and China. At this point, the war was officially Allied Powers vs. Axis powers. 

What happened? : The U.S entered WW2 after being attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The attack was a surprise military strike on the U.S Navy base in Hawaii. Japan sent over 50 aircraft carriers and bombed ships, airfields and buildings. The U.S declared war on Japan the very next day on December 8, 1941. In response, Germany and Italy (Japan’s allies in the Axis powers) declared war on the U.S on December 11, 1941 and the U.S declared war right back. 

When did it happen?: 

December 7, 1941: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. 

December 8, 1941: The U.S Congress declared war on Japan.

December 11, 1941: Germany and dItaly declared war on the U.S and the U.S responded with declarations of war against them. 

Where: The attack took place at Pearl Harbor, which is a U.S naval base in Hawaii in the Pacific ocean. After that, the U.S joined the war on two fronts: The Pacific Theater, fighting against Japan and The European Theater, fighting against Germany and Italy. 

Why did the U.S enter the war?

Japan wanted to expand its empire across East Asia and the Pacific but the U.S had cut off Japan’s access to oil, steel, and rubber which made Japan angry. Japan believed that by attacking the U.S Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor it could destroy American power in the Pacific before the U.S could respond. The attack killed more than 2,4000 Americans, sank or damaged 21 ships and destroyed over 300 aircraft. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it “a date to which will live in infamy” and asked Congress to declare war. It was nearly unanimous. 

• United States production during WW2 (Arsenal of Democracy)

Arsenal of Democracy: This term was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt in a radio speech in 1940, meaning that even before officially entering the war, the U.S would supply weapons, equipment and supplies to countries fighting against the Axis Powers especially Great Britain and later the Soviet Union. The idea was that America would arm the Allies to help defeat dictatorships like Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan even if we weren't fighting yet. After the U.S entered war, this phrase became real, the U.S became the biggest war producer in the world. The U.S became a massive factory for war stuff, ships, bombs, planes, tanks, jeeps, guns, uniforms, food, ammo, all things needed to fight and win war. 

• What did we produce in large numbers

Airplanes: Over 300,000 (fighters, bombers)

Ships: Over 88,000 (including aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, cargo ships)

Tanks: Over 88,000 tanks

Jeeps and Trucks: Over 2.5 million trucks and jeeps

Bombs and ammunition: Billions of rounds of ammo and bombs

Unfirmos and boots” Millions produced for troops

Food and Medicine: Tons shipped to both U.S troops and allies  

• Lend Lease Act (Who, what, when, where, why)

What was the Lend Lease Act?:

A U.S law passed in March 1941 that allowed the United States to send weapons, supplies and food to countries fighting against the Axis powers without them having to pay upfront. (The U.S was saying we'll send you gear and you can pay us later or not at all) This helped the Allied Powers while the U.S was still officially neutral. 

Who was involved?:

United States (passed the law and sent te supplies

Countries that received Lend Lease help: Great Britain, Soviet Union, China and lather other allied nations

President Franklin D Roosevelt pushed for it. 

When did it happen?: 

Signed into law: March 11, 1941

Continued eve after the U.S officially entered the war (after Pearl Harbor)

Lasted until the war ended in 1945

Where did it happen?: 

The U.S shipped supplies overseas to places like: 

Britain (to fight Germany)

Soviet Union (after Germany invaded them)

China (to help resist Japan) 

Goods were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean 

Why was it important?:

Before the U.S joined the war, it allowed us to help the Allies without fighting 

It helped Britain survive the Blitz (Nazi bombing raids)

It gave the Soviet Union tanks, trucks, and food after Germany invaded in 1941

It made the U.S the “Arsenal of Democracy” producing weapons for much of the world 

It showed that the U.S was taking sides, even before Pearl Harbor

• United States military strategies in the Pacific

Island Hopping (leapfrogging) 

The U.S skipped over heavily defended Japanese islands and instead captured strategic, weaker islands. From each captured island, the U.S would launch attacks on the next one slowly moving closer to Japan. The goal was to avoid unnecessary losses and build military bases that could support bombing missions or invasions. 

Why was Island Hopping important? 

Japan had built up strong defenses on many islands (like Iwo Jima and Okinawa). By skipping the worst ones, the U.S could move faster and save soldiers lives. It helped the U.S cut off supplies and communication to other Japanese-held islands. Each island taken brought U.S forces closer to Japan making an invasion or bombing campaign possible. 

Key Battles:

Battle of Midway (June 1942):

Turning point: U.S sank 4 Japanese aircraft carriers. 

Japan went from offense to defense after this. 

Guadalcanal (1942-1943):

First major U.S land victory in the Pacific.

Start of Island Hopping.

Iwo Jima (1945):

Brutal Battle; famous flag raising photo. 

Allowed the U.S to launch bombers from nearby. 

Okinawa (1945):

Last major island before Japan.

Extremely deadly - showed how hard an invasion of Japan would be. 

Other strategies:

Submarine Warfare: U.S submarines targeted and sank Japanese supply ships, cutting off resources. 

Air bombing Campaigns: Once close enough, U.S bombers attacked Japanese cities from captured islands. 

Naval Power: The U.S used massive aircraft carriers to launch air strikes and move forces across the ocean. 

Final Stage - Atomic Bomb

After reaching Japan, the U.S decided not to invade (due to expected huge casualties). 

Instead, they dropped atomic bomb on:

Hiroshima (August 6, 1954)

Nagasaki (August 9, 1945)

Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, ending WWII. 

• What is the name of the generation who lived through the Great Depression and World War 2? 

The Greatest Generation

Born roughly between 1901 and 1927

They grew up during the Great Depression, fought in or supported WW2, were known for sacrifice, patriotism and hard work and helped rebuild the U.S and the world after the war. 

They earned the name “Greatest Generation” because of all they endured and accomplished during some of the hardest times in U.S history.

• Navajo code talkers (Who, what, when, where, why significant to WW2)

Who were they?

Navajo Native American soldiers from the Navajo Nation

Recruited by the U.S Marine Corps

What did they do?

They used Navajo language to create a secret military code

Sent and received top-secret battlefield messages by radio and phone

The code was based on their native language which was unwritten and extremely hard to learn. 

When did this happen?

Mostly used during the Pacific campaign of World War II

Started in 1942 and continued until the war ended in 1945

Where did they serve?

In major Pacific battles like Gualdacanal, Iwo Jima, Saipan and Okinawa. 

Why was it important?

The Navajo code was never broken by the Japanese

It allowed the U.S forces to communicate quickly and securely in battle

Helped the U.S win key battles and save lives

At Iwo Jima, marines said they couldn't have taken the island without the code talkers 

• Role of Women on the homefront during WW2

With millions of men off fighting in the war, women stepped up in new roles at home, especially in factories, offices, and the military (non-combat roles). 

Factory Workers:

Symbolized by “Rosie the Riveter” the famous poster encouraging women to work in defense plants (riveters, welders, assembly line workers)

Military support jobs: Served in WAC (Women’s Army Corps), WAVES (Navy) and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

Office and government jobs: Filled roles in the government agencies and offices that were previously male-dominated

Volunteering and Civil Defense: Joined groups like the Red Cross

Planted Victory Gardens to grow food

Helped with rationing, scrap drives, and war bond sales

Why was this important? 

Women kept the economy and war production going

Provedthey could handle “men’s work” just as well

Helped shift social views on gender roles

Paved the way for the women’s rights movement after the war

After War:

Many women were expected to leave their jobs when men returned but the experience had changed the workforce forever 

• Role of African Americans during WW2 (Homefront and abroad)

  • Tuskegee Airmen 

Who? First Black military aviators in the U.S Army Air Corps (later the Air Force)

What? Highly trained fighter pilots from the Tuskegee institute in Alabama 

Where? Active during WW2 starting in 1941

Where? Fought in Europe and NorthAfrica

Why is it important?

Proved that African Amercians could excel in combat and aviation

Earned high praise for protecting bomber planes

Helped challenge racism in the military 

At Home (homefront)

Jobs and Discrimination

Many African Americans moved north and west for defense jobs (Second Great Migration) 

Faced job discrimination and segregation in factories

Fought to end racial barriers in employment and unions

Some worked in key war industries, contributing to the Arsenal of Democracy

• Double V Campaign 

What? A campaign for Double Victory:

Victory abroad against fascism

Victory at home against racism 

Started by? African American newspaper The Pittsburgh Courier

Why is it important?

HIghlighted the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom overseas while facing segregation and racism at home

Pushed the U.S government to open more opportunities for Black Americans 

Helped lay the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement 

• FDR’s Four Freedoms (Found in Double V assignment) 

In his State of the Union Address on January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) explained what Americans were fighting for in WW2. He said everyone in the world should enjoy four essential freedoms: 

1. FREEDOM OF SPEECH:

The right to express opinions without fear

Applies to speaking, writing, and sharing ideas openly

2. FREEDOM OF WORSHIP:

The right to practice any religion or none at all.

Everyone should be free to worship in their own way 

3. FREEDOM FROM WANT:

The right to basic needs like food shelter, clothing and a decent standard of living

A goal to end poverty and economic suffering

4. FREEDOM FROM FEAR:

A world where people feel safe from violence, war and aggression

No one should live in constant fear of attack

Connection to the Double V Campaign:

African Maericans questioned why the U.S claimed to fight for freedoms abroad while 

denying these freedoms at home due to racism and segregation

The double V Campaign demanded these Four freedoms for All Americans not just white 

citizens 

• Japanese Internment (Who, what, when, where, why) 

Who? 

Over 12,000 Japanese Americans mostly living on the West Coast

About two-thirds were U.S citizens

Targeted simply because of their ancestry 

What?

The U.S government forced Japanese Americans into internment camps

They lost homes, jobs, businesses and civil rights

Labeled as a possible “security threat” after the attack on Pearl Harbor

When?

Started in 1942. Shorty after Pearl Harbor 

Interment lasted until 1945

Where?

Camps were in remote areas of western and central U.S including: California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Arkansas 

Why? 

After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor there was widespread fear and racisms

The government and public believed Japanese Americans might help Japan (with no real evidence)

Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the military to remove people from “military zones”  

Importance:

It’s now seen as a violation of civil rights

The U.S later apologized and gave financial reparations in 1988

Shows how fear and racism can lead to injustice even in democracy 

• American Homefront (Propaganda, conservation, rationing, war production board, etc) 

While soldiers fought overseas, Americans at home played a huge role in winning the war. The government mobilized the entire population to support the war effort through media, resource management, and industrial power. 

Propaganda was used to influence public opinion and encourage support for the war (posters, films, radio broadcasts, cartoons, and slogans urged: enlisting in the military. Buying war bonds, supporting soldiers and conserving resources) 

Conservation: Citizens were asked to save and reuse materials: Metal, rubber, paper, cooking grease) collected for military use: metal for tanks, rubber for tires etc) 

Rationing: Because so many goods were needed for the military, the government limited how much civilians could buy: items like sugar, gasoline, coffee, butter, meat, and tires were rationed) People used ration books and stamps to buy limited amounts. Encouraged people to grow their own food in “Victory Gardens” 

War production Board (WPB):

Created in 1942 to oversee wartime production. Ordered factories to stop making consumer goods and instead produce: airplanes, tanks, guns, ships, bombs, uniforms, etc.) Helped turn the U.S into the “Arsenal of Democracy”

Civilian’s Role:

Women and minorities filled jobs in factories and shipyards. Children participated in scrap drives and war bond campaigns. Everyone was expected to contribute somehow to support the troops. 

• Heddy Lamar (Hodgepodge) 

Who? Heddy Lamarr was a famous Hollywood actress in the 1930’s and 1940’s but she was more than just a movie star but also an inventor. 

What did she do? During WW2, Lamarr co-invented a technology called “frequency hopping” which was designed to prevent enemy jammins of weapons. This allowed radio signals to hop between frequencies making them harder to track or block. 

When? She and composer Geroge Antheil developed the idea in 19411, they got a patent for the invention during the war. 

Where? She lived and worked in the U.S though she was born in Austria. 

Why was she significant? Although her involvement wasn’t used until later, it influenced modern technology like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. She is recognized as a pioneer in tech and communication especially for military civilian use.

• GI Bill (Hodgepodge) 

Who? The U.S government passed it for returning WW2 veterans (called GIs) 

What was it? Official Name: Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944. It gave benefits to help veterans adjust to civilian life after the war.

Provided: money for college or job training, loans to buy homes, farms or start businesses, unemployment pay for a limited time. 

When? 

Signed into law in 1944, during WW2

Helped millions of veterans after the war ended in 1945

Where? 

Used nationwide in the U.S

Benefited veterans returning from Europe and the Pacific 

Why is it important?

Helped create the modern american middle class

Made it easier for veterans to go to college, buy homes and build wealth

Transformed the U.S economy after the war

However, many Black veterans were denied full benefits due to racisms and discrimination in local systems 

• D-Day

Who? The Allies (mainly the U.S, Britain, and Canada)

Opposing the Nazi German Military

What happened?

It was the largest seaborne invasion in history

Code-named Operation Overlord

Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France

Goal: Liberate Nazi-occupied France and push Germany back 

When? June 6, 1941

Where? Normandy, France (5 breach landing zones: Oha,a, Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword)

Importance: 

Marked a turning point in Western Europe

Opened a second front against Germany (the soviets were already fighting in the east) 

Helped lead to the defeat of Nazi Germany within a year 

• Atomic Bomb

Who? The U.S developed it, the president being Harry S. Truman, where he targeted Japan. 

What was it?

A nuclear weapon created under the secret Manhattan project that used atomic bomb energy to cause massive explosions and destruction. Two bombs were dropped: “Little Boy” on Hiroshima (Aug 6, 1945) and “Fat Man” on Nagasaki (Aug 9, 1945)  

When? August 1945, near the end of WW2. Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945 days after the bombings.

Where?

Dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan
Developed in the U.S. in places like Los Alamos, New Mexico
Why is it significant?

Brought a quick end to the war with Japan due to the massive destruction and loss of life: over 100,000 killed instantly.
Began the nuclear age, changed global politics and warfare
Still debated today—some say it saved lives by avoiding a long invasion, others say it was unnecessary or inhumane

• Teenage girls in the 1940s (Hodgepodge)

Who?

Teenage girls (roughly ages 13–19) growing up in the United States during WWII

Part of the “Greatest Generation”

What was their life like? 

Many had to grow up quickly due to war

Took on adult responsibilities at home while men were off fighting

Worked jobs in factories, stores, farms (especially older teens)

Helped care for younger siblings or aging family members

Volunteered in war efforts: collecting scrap metal, helping with rationing, rolling bandages, and working with the red cross 

Fashion and Culture

Wore practical clothes like slacks and overalls due to fabric rationing

Magazines and movies were big influences they followed starts like Judy Garland and Rita Hayworth

Dance halls, swing music, and movies were popular escapes

Wrote soldiers overseas, sometimes became “pen pals” or “sweethearts” 

Why are they significant?

Teenage girls were part of the homefront effort

They shipped American culture and morale during wartime

Their generation broke gender barriers by taking on more independent roles, helping lay the groundwork for women's rights movement later on

• Jackie Robinson

Who? Jackie Robinson was an African American athlete and civil rights pioneer 

What did she do? In 1947, he became the first Black player in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 

When? April 15, 1947 - MLB debut. Served in the U.S Army during WW2 (1942-1944) before baseball career. Faced racial discrimination in the military too.

Where? Played across the U.S in the MLB. Originally from Georgia, raised in California. 

Why was he significant?

Broke the color barrier in professional baseball

Faced racism, threats, and insults but stayed strong and professional.

Opened the door for integration in sports and other parts of society. 

Became a symbol of progress and equality in post-war America

Helped inspire the Civil rights movement 

• Thousand yard stare 

What is it? A bank, unfocused look in a soldier's eyes. Often seen in combat veterans who have experienced extreme stress or trauma. It’s visual sign of psychological shock (now recognized as PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder)

Who showed it? Many soldiers in WW2. Most famously depicted in a painting by Tom Lea, a WW2 artist and war correspondent

Where? The famous pai was based on a Marine fighting in the Battle of Peleliu in the Pacific (1944). The expression was seen in frontline soldiers across Europe and the Pacific. 

WHen? Tem and image became known during and after WW2 especially in the mid 1940’s

Why is it important? It shows the mental toll of war on soldiers. Helped people understand that combat trauma is real and long-lasting. Symbol of the emotional cost of fighting, not just the physical wounds.