WWII Study Guide

Why go after Hitler first? Hitler was a bigger threat; bombing Britain and invading the Soviet Union

What happened at the Battle of Stalingrad? Germany was defeated by the Soviets and had to retreat

Who surrendered in 1943? Italy

Define Saturation bombing: Massive amount of bombing over a larger area to inflict maximum damage

Define Strategic bombing: Pinpoint bombing of key targets

Define unconditional surrender: To give up completely without any concessions.

Describe the Battle of Midway: The American victory and turning point of the war in the Pacific, where Japan’s moment was halted and the Allies advanced towards Japan

What was the role of women during WWII? Women went back to the factories to help make military goods.

What was the Double V campaign? African Americans called for Victory against fascism and Victory against discrimination

What was an effect of the war on the economy? The national debt skyrocketed, taxes were increased, and wages and prices were controlled

What type of goods became scarce during the war? Consumer goods

How did the Americans help the war effort from home? Use ration books, buy war bonds, planted victory gardens, recycle scrap metal

Describe D-Day: June 6, 1944 (Operation Overlord), The Allies departed from Great Britain attacking the Germans in France.

Describe the Battle of the Bulge: The last German offensive

Who became President when FDR died? Harry Truman

What did Germany and Hitler do when they were surrounded in April of 1945? Germany surrendered and Hitler committed suicide

Define Island Hopping: The American strategy of capturing select islands in the Pacific to get us closer to Japan

Define Kamikazes? Japanese piolets on suicide missions

What happened on August 6th and 10th 1945 What happened on August 6th and 10th 1945? Why did Truman decide to do this? Dropping of the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Truman wanted to save American lives.

Which country surrendered first; Germany or Japan?

Define the Holocaust: Nazi attempt to kill Jews and others considered “undesirable”

What was founded in 1948? Israel

What two countries became “Super Powers” after WWII? The Unites States and Soviet Union