WWII Review

Key Terms Annex – To add a region or territory Allied Powers – Britain, France, U.S., (Soviets after German Invasion) Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, Japan Appeasement – Making concessions to an aggressor to avoid war. Anschluss – Union of Germany and Austria (Forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles) Atlantic Charter - Secret agreement between FDR and Churchill (Britain) to set goals for “Final Destruction of Nazi Tyranny” Balance of Power- A theory in which stability is created when military power is evenly distributed among nations.

Key Terms Isolationism– A national foreign policy in which a country refuses to involve itself with other nations. US Policy in WW2 prior to Pearl Harbor. Lebensraum – “Living Space” – Germany needed more land because it was overcrowded, explanation for German Aggression. Lend Lease Act - Authorized U.S. President (FDR) to sell or lend war materials to any country whose defense was vital to US security. Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact – Agreement between Stalin and Hitler not to attack each other. Hitler violates the agreement when he invades.

Characteristics of Fascism Totalitarian State One-party dictatorship with TOTAL control Non-Communist Policies Glorify the State over Individual Extreme Nationalism/Blind Devotion Action, Violence and Discipline Foreign Expansion – “Survival of the Fittest” Use Terror/Fear to maintain control Propaganda/Indoctrination

Why did Fascist/Totalitarian states arise leading up to WWII? Great Depression Political Instability (Ex. Weimar Republic) Economic instability Inflation, Unemployment, Reparations Treaty of Versailles – Harsh on Germany

What were the major reasons for the start of WWII? German Aggression: Rhineland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, *Invasion of Poland Italian Aggression: Ethiopia, Egypt, Albania, Greece Japanese Aggression: Manchuria, China, French Indo-China, Phillipines Appeasement/Munich Conference (Failed to Check German Aggression) League of Nations (NO U.S., No Power)

Treaty of Versailles: JUNE 1919 Japanese Invasion of Manchuria: 1931 Rise of Nazi Party: JULY 1932 Remilitarization of the Rhineland: March 1936 Anschluss: March 1938 Munich Conference: SEPTEMBER 1938 Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact: Aug 1939 German Invasion of Poland: SEPTEMBER 1939 Invasion of the Soviet Union: June 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor: Dec 1941

Impact of Geography on WWII Northern European Plain: Flat land enable “Blitzkrieg” strategy to be effective, but also vulnerable to 2 front war. Russian Climate/Size: Russian winter and distance of supply line impedes Germany’s ability to win. Japanese Archipelago: Limited resources forced Japan to imperialize for resources. Pacific Ocean: Vast ocean leads to problems of travel and communication, navy is critical, air/sea battles North Africa/Middle East: Strategic location, colonies

Japan in WWII Why did the Japanese become imperialistic? Industrialization led to a need for raw materials and resources, they lacked land on the island. Where did Japan become aggressive leading up to WWII?  Pacific Islands, Manchuria, Korea, China, French Indo-China How did Japanese imperialism lead to tension with the US? Threatened US territories and those of US Allies.  

U.S. Involvement in WWII How did the US involvement increase prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor? Lend-Lease Act, Atlantic Charter, Sanctions against Japan Why was Pearl Harbor a significant turning point in WWII? US entered the war, More “fronts” added to the war, Greater allied collaboration

The Holocaust What were the Nuremberg Laws? Laws that restricted rights of Jews and increased legal discrimination. Why was Kristallnacht an important turning point? Start of organized violence and widespread targeting of the Jewish population. What was the Final solution? Planned extermination of all Jews in Europe. Why were the Nuremberg Trials an important historical turning point? Held people accountable for actions during war, determined “just following orders” is not a defense, brought horrors of Holocaust into public view.

Allied Victory What were the important events that led to an Allied victory in Europe? Operation Overlord (D-Day), Battle of the Bulge, German 2 Front War What were the important events that led to an Allied victory in the Pacific? Success of Island Hopping campaign, Superior Naval Technology What were the most significant impacts of World War II? Massive casualties, physical destruction, Human Rights Violations (Holocaust, Rape of Nanking, Bataan Death March). What were the important treaties that ended WWII? Potsdam, Tehran, Yalta