World War II

Leading Up to WW2 What were the political and economic conditions of the world after WW1? A. Political instability and economic devastation in Europe resulting from WW1 B. Worldwide economic depression C. High war debt owed by Germany D. High inflation (rise in prices of goods and services over time) and massive unemployment.

2. How did fascist dictators rise to power after WW1 2. How did fascist dictators rise to power after WW1? There was economic devastation created these conditions; fascist leaders often promised citizens to restore their countries to their former glory; many blamed other countries and even other nationalities. 3. What is fascism? The government controls the economy, culture, and all parts of people’s lives; usually ruled by a dictator (a person who has total power over a country and its people

Fascist Leaders (Axis) 3. Who were some of the fascist dictators at this time? Adolf Hitler – Germany’s leader who believed in fascism and controlled everything; dictator; conquered much of Europe; blamed many of Germany’s problems on Jews and had them imprisoned in concentration camps; many were killed. leader of Germany

B. Emperor Hirohito – Japanese emperor who surrendered due to many defeats and bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima; many worshipped him and thought he was a god; his soldiers crashed warplanes into Allied ships in Kamikaze attacks (attacks where people flew to their deaths).

C. Hideki Tojo- prime minister of Japan; invaded and took over much of the Pacific region; D. Benito Mussolini- Powerful dictator in Italy; allowed no one to question his power; was the founder of fascism. These countries became known as the Axis Powers.

Allied Powers 4. Who were some of the important leaders of WW2? A. Franklin D. Roosevelt - signed order forcing 100,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps; sent supplies to Britain; President at start of WW2 B. Harry Truman - ordered a nuclear bomb on the city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan after Pearl Harbor was bombed.

C. Joseph Stalin- leader of Soviet Union; agreed with Germany not to attack each other; dictator; arrested people who spoke out against communism D. Winston Churchill – British Prime minister who managed to not be taken control by Germany during WW2.

The U.S.A Enters WW2 5. How did America end up entering World War II? believed in isolationism; wanted to avoid fighting; F.D.R wanted to help British so they sent military equipment and supplies to Britain; Pearl Harbor U.S naval base in Hawaii was bombed by Japanese; U.S had no choice but to enter the war in 1941

6. What were the reasons why the Japanese attacked the U. S. A. A 6. What were the reasons why the Japanese attacked the U.S.A? A. America had sent supplies to China during the Japanese invasion B. Stopped selling materials that Japan needed C. Sent more troops to military bases in the Philippines Islands D. Moved its war ships to Pearl Harbor **Japan found all of these actions threatening, so they did something about it.**

Important Events of WW2 7. What were some of the important events of WW2? A. Invasion of Poland – the official start place of WW2 B. Invasion of France – France fell to Germany’s forces as their land was taken (1940) C. Bombing of London – Germany dropped bombs here for 56 days; huge show of force by Germans (1940)

D. Battle of Midway – turning point of the war in the Pacific Ocean; Japan had many victories, but lost to the U.S.A on this island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (1942) E. Invasion of Soviet Union – invaded by Germany, even after a “non-aggression pact” was signed; countries never did trust each other; eventually Germany attacked leading to the largest German military operation of the war. (1942) F. Stalingrad – German troops fought Soviets for control of this city; turning point of war in Eastern Europe.

8. What important action happened in 1944, as it relates to western Europe? D-Day was this important event; the U.S.A was finally ready to engage in war on European soil; Americans and other Allied troops were carried to Normandy beach in northern France; allowed Allies to move towards Germany 9. How did the United States react to the attack on Pearl Harbor? The USA dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan and Nagasaki, Japan; killed many people

10. What happened on the island of Iwo Jima. The U. S 10. What happened on the island of Iwo Jima? The U.S. Marines invaded and captured the island of Iwo Jima; President Truman worried that many people would die on both sides if the conflict continued; this led to the atomic bomb dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Japan surrendered afterwards ending the war.

The Holocaust 11. Explain the Holocaust. one of the worst horrors of the war and human history; millions were killed at the hand of Nazis while in concentration camps; many were beaten, starved, and killed mostly because they were Jewish (an act of genocide);

12. What happened to the people responsible for the Holocaust 12. What happened to the people responsible for the Holocaust? Adolf Hitler killed himself so he wouldn’t be captured; the rest went through trials known as the Nuremburg war crimes trials in which they were either hanged or given prison sentences.

13. Contrast the terms anti-Semitism and Aryan supremacy. prejudice, or cruel and unfair treatment, against Jews B. a belief that Germans represent a superior form of humanity

The Home Front 14. How did the home front help the war effort? soldiers needed uniforms, guns, airplanes, and tanks; Ford Motor Company built airplanes and airplane engines instead of cars; people rationed (again) – meat, sugar, and gas 15. Why did the United States have to produce so many military supplies? the country was not well prepared at the time to fight a war; had just got out of a war

16. Which two groups of people found new freedoms in the work place 16. Which two groups of people found new freedoms in the work place? African Americans and women who now worked in factories and other places usually worked by men (“Rosie-the-Riveter”); fictional character appearing on government posters, encouraging women to help in the war effort;

17. Explain the term United States 17. Explain the term United States. Allied leaders wanted to establish an international organization to help keep peace in the future; F.D.R and the United States had a leading role in the formation of this group.

18. How was Eleanor Roosevelt influential in the early years of the United Nations? F.D.R’s wife; traveled around the world campaigning for human rights