World War II
World War II: Who were the major political leaders of each of the main countries before and during WW2 (Remember the Rise of Dictators work and video we used to start the unit)?
Canada- Mackenzie King
USA- Franklin Roosevelt
Russia- Joseph Stalin
Italy- Benito Mussolini
Germany- Adolf Hitler
France- Albert Lebrun
Britain- Winston Churchill
What two sides (alliances) were formed and fought each other in this war?
The Allies – US, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, China, France, Canada, Australia
The Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, Japan
What is a dictator and what kind of power do they have?
A person or small group of powerful people who can make any rules they want. No other political parties can challenge them.
What were 3 main details/aspects of the Hitler State (life under Hitler)?
Totalitarian Control: The government had complete control over all aspects of life, including media, education, and the economy.
Suppression of Opposition: Political opponents, Jews, and other minorities were persecuted, leading to widespread fear and violence.
Propaganda and Militarization: Hitler used propaganda to glorify the Nazi regime and promoted militarism, preparing Germany for war.
What was the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923?
The Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 was a failed coup attempt by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party to overthrow the German government. It took place in Munich, where Hitler aimed to seize power but was quickly stopped by the police.
What was Hitler's book and where did he write it?
Mein Kampf (my struggles). In prison.
What was the Night of Long Knives? Why was this significant (what did it say about Hitler)?
Fearing there were traitors among his party, or that some members may want to take his power from him, Hitler had nearly 400 people murdered. One, Ernst Roehm, was his good friend and leader of the Brown Shirts. It showed Hitler's ruthless willingness to use violence to secure his power. He had his good friend murdered, which shows that even if you think you're safe, you're not.
Who was the communist dictator of Russia? Who was the fascist dictator of Italy?
Russia – Joseph Stalin
Italy – Benito Mussolini
Why were the following places important/what happened in each case: Rhineland (Alsace/Lorraine), Austria, Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia?
RHINELAND
In 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland (Alsace/Lorraine) to take back the land, violating the Treaty of Versailles. Showed his defiance of rules and international agreements.
AUSTRIA
In1938, Hitler annexed to join his homeland. A vote was held across Austria: 95% supported the joining of nations. Nazi military stood beside each ballot box to watch who people voted for. This move increased Hitler's influence and resources.
SUDETENLAND
In 1938, Hitler demanded the Sudetenland, a German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia, and was given it through the Munich Agreement. It was the first part taken of Czechoslovakia.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
After taking Sudetenland Czechoslovakia was weak and unsure, Hitler marched on Prague and took the whole country. This cause European leaders to meet to prevent another war. They met in Munich, Germany.
POLAND
September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, using the Blitzkrieg tactic. France and England declared war 2 days after, but had little to offer. The German army crushed Poland in 3 weeks.
What was appeasement, where was the agreement made and who were the main people involved?
England, France, and Russia tried to back Czechoslovakia. They agreed to meet in Munich, Germany. Hitler claimed that this would be the last invasion he would make, claiming many Czechs ‘wanted it’. Rather than fight, England and France ‘appeased’ Hitler and let him have his way.
Germany had the Gestapo (secret) What were the names of the secret police units in each of the three ‘strongmen’ countries (Russia, Italy, Germany)?
RUSSIA: NKVD
ITALY: OVRA
GERMANY: Gestapo
What were the main causes of World War II? What was the spark in this case?
Hitler's Goal: A "thousand year" Aryan Empire.
Main Target: Russia for land and resources.
Secondary Goals: Recover lost land (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine), revenge for Treaty of Versailles, and restore German pride.
Breaking the Treaty of Versailles: Built up military, violating treaty terms.
Violation of Munich Agreement: Invaded Poland, leading to war declarations by France and England.
What was blitzkrieg and why was it so effective?
Blitzkreig: 'lightning war'
New tanks, strong artillery guns, and deadly planes were used all at once. The idea was to overwhelm and confuse the enemy, using power and speed.
Know the details of the Miracle of Dunkirk
Dunkirk Resistance: German troops trapped British and French against the English Channel.
Evacuation: 400,000 men stranded; civilians used boats to rescue soldiers.
Hitler's Mistake: Halted tanks, leaving the job to the Luftwaffe, seeking personal glory for Goering.
Outcome: 338,000 men rescued, but large amounts of weapons were abandoned.
Know the names of major operations and what they were: Jubilee, Dynamo, Sealion, Overlord, Barbarossa, Uranus
Jubilee: The 1942 Allied raid on the French port of Dieppe, aimed at testing German defenses. It was a failure, resulting in heavy casualties.
Dynamo: The evacuation of British and Allied forces from Dunkirk (May–June 1940), where over 330,000 troops were rescued from the beach under intense German bombardment.
Sealion: The planned German invasion of Britain in 1940, which was never carried out due to failure to gain air superiority in the Battle of Britain.
Overlord: The code name for the D-Day invasion (June 6, 1944), where Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
Barbarossa: The German invasion of the Soviet Union (June 22, 1941), marking the largest military operation in history. It eventually failed, leading to a significant turning point in the war.
Uranus: The Soviet counteroffensive during the Battle of Stalingrad (November 19, 1942), which encircled and trapped the German 6th Army, leading to a decisive Soviet victory.
Know the details of the Dieppe invasion: why was it called for? Why did it fail? What lessons were taken from it?
Reason:
to 'test' the strength and defensive tactics of the Germans along the French coast (Dieppe).
It failed:
Worst place to attack (a bay shaped like a saucer and fire from all sides). A head-on assault was poorly designed
Foggy conditions (wrong day to attack)
Arriving on the beach during light hours (morning) gave away any surprise
Little bombardment from ships beforehand
No training for a month before the attack
No real battle plan
Guns issued on board, on the way to France
Lessons:
Plan better
Importance of air and naval support
Avoid direct assaults on heavily defended ports
Value of surprise
The Battle of Britain: why was it unique? What were the results? What advantages did the British have?
The Battle of Britain:
Unique: As Britain is an island, Hitler's strategy relied on attacking from the skies, making this a battle fought entirely in the air. Despite being outnumbered 3-1, British pilots held strong.
Advantages:
Radar: Allowed the British to detect incoming German planes and intercept them.
Defending: British pilots had shorter distances to fly, meaning they didn’t need to worry about fuel shortages and could stay in the air longer.
Planes: The British Spitfire and Hurricane were faster, more agile, and more accurate than the German aircraft.
Code Breakers: British mathematicians and chess masters cracked German codes, allowing them to predict enemy attacks.
Results:
German Losses: Hitler's air force suffered heavy losses in pilots and planes.
Bombing London: Frustrated by losses, Hitler shifted to bombing civilians in London for months, reducing the city to rubble.
British Resilience: Despite heavy bombings, Britain rebuilt, and Hitler ultimately abandoned his plans to invade Britain (Operation Sealion), instead focusing on Russia.
The Blitz: what was Hitler’s plan? What happened to London?
German Strategy: Hitler hoped to break England's resolve and force peace through continuous bombing.
Nightly Bombings: London was bombed every night, causing widespread fear and destruction.
Civilian Response: Londoners worked together to extinguish fires and rebuild after attacks.
Underground Shelters: Many took refuge in underground subway tunnels for safety, hundreds of feet below ground.
Devastation: London became a city of rubble and waste but remained resilient.
What were Hitler’s Three Big Mistakes in the war?
MISTAKE #1: leaving Dunkirk up to his Air Force Commander (Herman Goerigg) who wanted his own glory.
MISTAKE #2: not bombing all 100% of Britain's RAF. He only did 90% and so they ended up being able to bounce back.
MISTAKE #3: attacking Russia in summer, not spring. It caused them to fight in deadly Russian winters.
What happened to Japanese-Canadians during the war?
They were sent to internment camps in BC.
What was the SS St. Louis incident about?
1939 Event: The SS St. Louis, carrying 937 Jewish refugees, was set to dock in Halifax Harbour.
Refugees' Background: The refugees were fleeing Nazi persecution in Germany.
Canadian Response: Despite public support, the Canadian government (under Mackenzie King) denied entry.
Global Rejection: The ship was also rejected by the USA and Cuba.
Return to Europe: The ship returned to Europe, and many of the refugees were later killed in the Holocaust.
What were the Nuremberg Laws made by Hitler and what did they aim to do?
Racist and antisemitic laws against Jews to keep Jews away from 'German/Aryan Blood'.
Home Front: what problems did Canadians face during the war? What improved because of the war? What steps did average Canadians take to help win the war?
PROBLEMS
Harsh conditions, heavy losses, limited resources, divided nation (conscription), workers being forced to limits, gender roles changing (women working again), Japanese Canadians sent to internment camps, Indigenous veterans being paid less and Indigenous lands being taken, psychological toll on soldier's and soldier's families.
IMPROVED
War gave a huge boost to employment and economic growth.
STEPS TO WIN
Farms mass produced food to send overseas, women were hired to fill in at factories and work overseas as nurses and ambulance drivers, victory gardens, cloth was preserved for war uniforms, children collected glass and metal used as materials in war factories.
What was the Conscription issue faced by Mackenzie King?
King promised no conscription for WW2. By 1941, he explains Canada would have a mandatory defense army: these soldiers would ONLY defend Canada, if needed. He asks Canada to pardon him on his promise and help a vote on conscription: most English voted 'Yes' most French voted 'No'
Beginning of the End: What was the war in Russia like for Germans and Russians?
Harsh Winters: German soldiers faced brutal Russian winters, with many freezing to death due to lack of proper winter gear.
Supply Shortages: Supplies and food were delayed, worsening the soldiers' conditions.
Close Quarters Combat: Fighting was intense, with battles occurring in homes, streets, and often hand-to-hand.
Civilian Casualties: German bombers killed many civilians, contributing to the devastation.
Rubble Warfare: The destroyed city offered new hiding spots and ambush opportunities for soldiers.
Massive Losses: Over 2 million people died, with many freezing, starving, and losing hope.
What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and when was it broken?
A pact of peace between Russia and Germany. It said neither side would attack the other for 10 years. It was broken in 1941, when Hitler invaded Russia.
Stalingrad: why is this battle considered the worst of all time? What was fighting like and what were the results?
Massive Scale: The Battle of Stalingrad involved over 2 million casualties, both soldiers and civilians.
Grim Conditions: The battle was fought in freezing winter with close-quarters combat, constant air raids, and food shortages.
German Bombing: German bombers destroyed the city, causing widespread devastation.
Soviet Encirclement: The Soviets surrounded 265,000 German troops, forcing their surrender.
Turning Point: Stalingrad marked the beginning of Germany's weakening and the Soviet push toward Berlin.
D-Day: what were the name of the beaches? Where did Canada land? What were the first goals and objectives, and what were the results?
BEACHES
Juno – Canada
Gold and Sword – Britain
Omaha and Utah – USA
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The first goal was to take each beach and push inland.
RESULTS
Omaha beach was the hardest to overcome. Canada was the first to reach its objectives. Canadians arrived on the beach before armoured units, which led to a lot of deaths. It took another week to secure all 5 beaches. It was the first step towards Germany and Hitler.
End of the War: VJ Day, VE Day, the Atomic Bomb. What were the results of WW2?
VJ DAY
VJ Day (Victory in Japan Day) marks the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II. It is celebrated on August 15, 1945.
VE DAY
VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) marks the official surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. It is celebrated May 8, 1945.
ATOMIC BOMB
The Manhattan Project developed the first atomic bombs, led by Robert Oppenheimer with help from scientists, including Jewish refugees like Einstein. The U.S. faced a choice: invade Japan and risk massive casualties or use the bombs to force surrender. August 6, Hiroshima was bombed by the Enola Gay. August 9, Nagaski was bombed. Together the bombings killed 229,000 civilians and destroyed both cities. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in war.
RESULTS OF WW2
EUROPE AFTER THE WAR
By 1945, Germany, Italy, and Japan lay in ruins, and France was badly damaged. A power struggle emerged between Churchill (UK), Stalin (USSR), and Truman (USA). As the UK recovered, the rivalry narrowed to the USA and USSR, leading to a 45-year Cold War of military buildup.
Europe was divided into West (rebuilt by the USA/UK with the Marshall Plan) and East (dominated by USSR communism). The USSR controlled nations like Poland and Romania, forming the Iron Curtain.
CANADA AFTER THE WAR
Returning soldiers found jobs, and the Liberal government expanded welfare, unions, healthcare, and pensions.
Economic growth led to the baby boom (1946–1960).
Newfoundland became Canada’s 10th province in 1949.
CANADAS WAR LEGACY
Over 1 million Canadians served; 43,000 died. They fought bravely in battles like Dieppe, Ortona, and Juno Beach, liberating Belgium and the Netherlands.
Describe Hitler’s last days.
Hitler's Refusal to Surrender: By 1945, with Berlin surrounded by Allied forces, Hitler refused to give up.
Tested Cyanide on Dog: As Russian forces neared, Hitler tested cyanide on his dog.
Marriage: On April 29, 1945, Hitler married Eva Braun.
Their Deaths: The following day, Eva Braun took cyanide, and Hitler shot himself.
Body Disposal: Hitler's body was reportedly burned to prevent the Russians from capturing it.
The Holocaust: know the major details of why it occurred and how.
Reasons for Persecution:
Idealism: Hitler believed Jews were trying to control the world and its wealth, hindering Aryan conquest.
Hatred: Jews were blamed for the depression in Germany and used as scapegoats to fuel Nazi propaganda.
Blame: Jews were falsely accused of causing Germany's defeat in WWI, leading to national embarrassment.
Reasons People Went Along with It:
Propaganda: Jews and other minorities were dehumanized and portrayed as enemies of the state.
Fear: Opposing the Nazis often led to imprisonment or death.
Widespread Antisemitism: Pre-existing biases made many more receptive to Nazi policies.
Obedience to Authority: People followed orders without question, driven by loyalty or fear.
Scapegoat: It was easier to blame Jews for economic struggles like the Great Depression.
Normalization of Injustice: Persecution escalated gradually, making it easier to accept.
Belief in Nazi Ideology: Some people genuinely believed in Hitler’s vision of a racially pure society.
Ignorance: Many claimed they didn’t know about the atrocities.
Bystander Effect: Some were too afraid or thought they couldn't make a difference.
What was life in a labor or death camp like?
Prisoners slept in close quarters on wood and bits of straw.
Their heads were shaved, jewels and personals taken, and they were clothed in striped pajamas.
Food was minimal: a piece of bread or some thin soup.
Work was early and late, and in the heat or the cold and snow.
Abuses were common: slaves were beaten and abused, or killed to make examples out of.
What were the steps taken that led up to the Final Solution (Segregation, Kristallnacht, Star of David, Warsaw Ghetto, etc.)?
1938: Jewish stores were smashed and looted during Kristallnacht; Jews were forced to pay 1 billion marks to cover the damage.
1938: Jewish children were expelled from schools.
1939: Jews began being deported to slave camps in Poland.
1939: Jews were forced to wear the yellow star to mark and shame them.
1940: Jews in Germany were removed and sent to camps elsewhere.
1940: Jews in Nazi-occupied lands were attacked and persecuted.
1940: Auschwitz, a notorious death camp, was opened.
1940: The city of Warsaw in Poland was divided, creating a Jewish ghetto where 400,000 Jews were confined.