World War II Vocab

Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) – A surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to the United States' entry into World War II.

U.S. Declaration of War against Japan, Germany, and Italy (December 8-11, 1941) – Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. declared war on Japan on December 8. In response, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. on December 11, prompting the U.S. to declare war on them as well.

Executive Order 9066 / Japanese Internment (1942) – Issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, this order authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans on the West Coast in camps due to fears of espionage and sabotage.

Doolittle Raids on Japan (April 18, 1942) – A U.S. air raid led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, in which B-25 bombers attacked Tokyo and other Japanese cities, boosting American morale after Pearl Harbor.

Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942) – A pivotal naval battle in the Pacific Theater, where the U.S. Navy decisively defeated the Japanese fleet, destroying four aircraft carriers and shifting the momentum in favor of the Allies.

Cairo Conference (November 22-26, 1943) – A meeting between Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Chiang Kai-shek, where the Allies agreed to continue fighting until Japan's unconditional surrender and outlined postwar plans for Asia, including returning Chinese territories taken by Japan.

Tehran Conference (November 28-December 1, 1943) – The first wartime meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, where they coordinated the invasion of Nazi-occupied France (D-Day) and discussed the postwar division of Europe.

Yalta Conference (February 4-11, 1945) – A meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin to discuss postwar Europe, the occupation of Germany, the formation of the United Nations, and the USSR’s involvement in the Pacific War against Japan.

Potsdam Conference (July 17-August 2, 1945) – A meeting between Truman, Churchill (later replaced by Attlee), and Stalin to finalize postwar arrangements, issue the Potsdam Declaration demanding Japan’s unconditional surrender, and discuss Germany’s fate.

Rosie the Riveter – A cultural icon representing women who worked in factories and shipyards during WWII, symbolizing female empowerment and the workforce's contribution to the war effort.

War Production Board (WPB) (1942) – A government agency that controlled war materials, regulated production, and converted industries from peacetime to wartime manufacturing.

Double V Campaign – A movement led by African Americans advocating for victory against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home, highlighting the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom overseas while segregation persisted in the U.S.

War Bonds in WWII – Government-issued bonds sold to finance the war effort, encouraging citizens to invest in the war and reduce inflation by controlling excess spending.

Office of Price Administration (OPA) (1941) – A federal agency that regulated prices, rationed goods, and controlled inflation during WWII by setting price ceilings and wage controls.

Women in the Military during WWII – Women served in non-combat roles through groups like the Women's Army Corps (WAC), Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), supporting military operations in various capacities.

Bracero Program (1942-1964) – An agreement between the U.S. and Mexico allowing temporary Mexican laborers to work in American agriculture and railroads to address wartime labor shortages.

Zoot Suit Riot (1943) – A series of violent clashes in Los Angeles between U.S. servicemen and Mexican American youth wearing zoot suits, fueled by racial tensions and wartime anxieties.

A. Philip Randolph – A civil rights leader and labor activist who organized the March on Washington Movement, pressuring Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802, which banned racial discrimination in defense industries.

GI Bill of Rights (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) – A law that provided veterans with benefits such as low-interest home loans, college tuition assistance, and unemployment compensation to ease their transition to civilian life.

Manhattan Project (1942-1945) – A top-secret U.S. research project that developed the atomic bomb, culminating in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.