chapter 14 study guide

According to Truman, he selected Hiroshima and Nagasaki as targets in order to...

damage the Japanese defense industry.

The scientists who signed this petition believed that atomic weapons...

might be used if there was no other option.

Identify reasons for U.S. involvement in World War II, including Germany's aggression. Write a paragraph describing Germany's aggression during the 1930s and how the United States reacted to their actions. Identify what aggressive moves Germany made, how the United States reacted, and why the United States reacted in this way.

In the mid-1930s, Hitler began a military build up in direct violation of the Versailles treaty; that in 1936 he moved his troops into and occupied the Rhineland; that in 1938, violating the treaty again, he brought Austria and the Sudetenland into the Reich; that in 1939 he launched a blitzkrieg against Poland, which succumbed soon after. Responses should then go on to indicate that the United States took the position of neutrality in order to not become involved in another European war and to continue to focus on economic troubles at home as well as to improve trade relations with Latin America and the Soviet Union; that unless the United States was directly attacked it would continue to embrace its policy of isolationism.

World War II in Asia began when?

Japan attacking China, while war in Europe started when Germany invaded Poland.

What event marked the end of World War II?

Japan surrendered.

Explain how American patriotism inspired exceptional actions by military personnel. Write a paragraph explaining the role Navajo troops played in the Pacific island-hopping campaign during World War II. Explain what was the responsibility of the code talkers and why the Navajo language was so useful.

Navajo troops played a vital role in the Pacific island-hopping campaign by using their Navajo language to send coded radio messages from island to island. Responses should indicate that although the Japanese intercepted the messages they were unable to "break the code" that the Navajo language presented.

Give two examples that show Hirohito was willing to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.

The Potsdam Declaration demanded Japan's surrender. In Document D, Emperor Hirohito explained why he would agree to this demand. One piece of evidence is that the emperor describes the war as "hopeless." Another is that he describes surrender as unbearable, but says he has decided to surrender anyway. This was necessary, he says, to save Japan from disaster.

In what ways did both the U.S. government and U.S. citizens benefit from the sale of war bonds?

The U.S. government benefited from the money it raised by selling war bonds to citizens. Wars are expensive, and selling the bonds allowed the government to buy needed military supplies and pay soldiers. Citizens who bought war bonds benefited from making an investment. They could sell the bond back for more money than they paid for it. They also received the benefit of national defense from the government's military actions.

"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory." —Franklin D. Roosevelt, War Message to Congress, December 8, 1941. What was the immediate effect of the speech from which this excerpt was taken?

The United States declared war on Japan.

Do you think Truman's account of his decision in a letter written seven years later is a reliable source of information? Why or why not?

The letter is an accurate source of information. President Truman made the decision to use the atomic bombs. He must have understood what motivated this decision. OR: I think this letter is not an accurate source. It was written years after the events it describes. President Truman may have forgotten details. He also may have shaped the story to help justify his decision.

Analyze major military events of World War II. Write a paragraph analyzing the Allied invasion of Normandy. Describe what the plan was, identify when the invasion began, and describe how the Allied troops finally broke through German defenses. Then, analyze why the invasion was a turning point in the war.

The plan involved striking five beaches along the coast of France in Normandy; that the first Allied troops landed in the early morning of June 6, 1944—D-Day; that thousands of Allied troops landed on the beaches and pushed inland against heavy German resistance; that every day additional Allied troops landed and eventually the push against the German troops was successful; that by August the Allies had successfully moved inland into France and regained Paris, and eventually France itself was liberated. Responses should go on to indicate that the invasion of Normandy was a turning point in the war because the Allies were gaining the upper hand in the war in Europe and Germany was beginning to show signs of collapse.

Whereas the successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage . . . I hereby authorize . . . [the creation of] military areas . . . from which any or all persons may be excluded, and . . . the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may [determine]. —Executive Order 9066, 1942. What use was made of this order, which set up military areas where the Secretary of War controlled who would enter the place, who would leave or stay, and who was excluded?

This order set up camps where Japanese Americans were forced to live during the war.

Whenever the President shall find that there exists a state of war between, or among, two or more foreign states. . . it shall thereafter be unlawful to export, or attempt to export, or cause to be exported, arms, ammunition, or implements of war from any place in the United States to any [warring] state named . . . -Neutrality Act, 1937. Why did the U.S. Congress pass the Neutrality Act and other similar laws?

To prevent the United States from being involved in another costly war.

We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction. —Potsdam Declaration, July 26, 1945. What event most closely followed this call for Japanese surrender?

U.S. atomic weapons devastated two Japanese cities.

Write a paragraph explaining why the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 was a turning point in World War II. Explain the significance of the following dates: August 6, 1945; August 9, 1945; August 14, 1945; and, September 2, 1945.

U.S. pilots dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and that the blast killed nearly 70,000 Japanese citizens and wounded at least 70,000 more; that on August 9, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb this time on Nagasaki, killing about 40,000 residents instantly; that, in response, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's decision to surrender on August 14; and that Japan officially surrendered on September 2 aboard the USS. Missouri.

According to Truman, his main goal in deciding to use the atomic bomb was to...

save American and Japanese lives.

The Allies threatened Japan with "prompt and utter destruction" unless it agreed to...

surrender immediately.

The scientists express concern about...

the results of future atomic warfare.

One of the postwar goals of the Allies was to...

weaken the Japanese military.

How was the Battle of Britain mostly fought?

with airplanes

In what ways did World War II change the role of the United States in the world?

By the end of the war, the United States clearly had the most powerful military in the world, supported by the deadly atomic weapon. The war also showed that the United States could lead groups of allies to victory in very difficult circumstances. Overall, the war increased the international influence of the United States and made the nation into a world leader.

"It all seemed unreal, a sort of dreaming while awake, men were screaming and dying all around me. . . . I honestly could have walked the full length of the beach without touching the ground, they were that thickly strewn about." —Melvin B. Farrell, War Memories. Based on this account of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, what conclusion can be reached about the fighting there? A. Soldiers had to endure difficult fighting conditions to gain ground. B. The battle on that beach had been treacherous for months. C. Land units had been trained well for combat in this environment. D. Casualties on both sides of the battle were high.

Correct Answer: A

Which group suffered the most as a result of the Holocaust? A. Soviet civilians B. European Jews C. Nazi Germans D. Allied troops

Correct Answer: B

Which of the following was a major reason that Germans supported Adolf Hitler during his rise to power in the 1930s? A. Adolf Hitler disliked German Jews and promised to make them leave the country. B. Germany experienced great political and economic problems after World War I and Hitler promised to make dramatic improvements. C. Adolf Hitler helped Germany make a popular military alliance with Mussolini's Italy. D. Hitler promised cooperation with the Allies as a way to rebuild Germany's economy.

Correct Answer: B

Which event led Churchill to give this speech? "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets . . . we shall never surrender." —Winston Churchill, Speech to House of Commons, June 4, 1940. A. The British launched a surprise attack on Germany. B. Britain embraced the policy of appeasement. C. The United States refused to intervene in the war. D. Germany defeated France and left the British isolated in the war.

Correct Answer: D

Why did President Roosevelt begin the Good Neighbor Policy? A. He hoped to discourage Japanese expansionism in Latin America. B. He believed it would end the Depression. C. He knew it would be highly popular in the United States. D. He wanted to strengthen relations with Latin America in a time of international danger

Correct Answer: D

Describe the events leading up to the Battle of Britain.

First, Germany invaded Poland. Next, Britain and France declared war on Germany and World War II began. Hitler's army then invaded neighboring nations including Denmark, Norway, Holland, and Belgium. Germany and Italy then both attacked France. France quickly surrendered. With Britain standing alone, Hitler began his attack the nation with bombing raids and the Battle of Britain had begun.

What main challenges did the United States face in Europe when it entered the World War II?

Germany had a very strong military and had already conquered much of the continent. Its submarines sank many American ships in the Atlantic. The United States was less prepared for war, so the nation needed time to build up its military forces, develop weapons and strategies, and begin to fight effectively. It also needed to push Germany out of lands it had already conquered, rather than simply preventing Germany from expanding any more.

How did Stalin maintain control of the Soviet Union?

He used the threat of Japanese attack to stir patriotic and racist feelings among the Russians.

Why was Hitler able to build up Germany's army despite the Versailles Treaty's restrictions?

Hitler was able to rearm Germany because he correctly predicted that other nations would not oppose his efforts with much force. The League of Nations condemned his actions, but it had little power to stop German rearmament. Other European nations also failed to stop this buildup. Britain and France, for example, were weary of war and more concerned with their own domestic problems than with Hitler's actions.

MacArthur blames the failure to end the war sooner on...

Allied political leaders.

What challenges did the federal government face in managing the U.S. economy during the war?

Careful management of the economy was needed to solve the overall problem of ensuring supplies for the war effort while keeping the general economy strong. Government planners needed to solve problems including producing weapons and ammunition, ensuring enough food for soldiers, and obtaining uniforms and other personal goods. However, people on the home front also needed adequate goods and services for their needs.

Why did isolationists generally oppose U.S. policies preparing for war? A. They believed those policies were ineffective and dangerous. B. They preferred that the United States support Germany directly. C. They thought those policies were too expensive and anti-democratic. D. They supported direct peace talks with Germany instead.

Correct Answer: A

Which group of Americans was placed into special relocation camps during World War II? A. African Americans B. American Indians C. Japanese Americans D. Mexican Americans

Correct Answer: C

Why were U.S. military recruits trained to fight in different types of environments? A. Because Germany, our enemy, has very diverse geography. B. No one knew how long the war would last. C. The war was fought in many distant lands. D. Because soldiers were able to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

Correct Answer: C

Why is the Battle of Midway considered a turning point in World War II?

It showed the Allied strategy against Germany was working.

Which nation suffered the most military casualties during World War II, not including deaths associated with the Holocaust?

Soviet Union

"The smell of death overwhelmed us even before we passed through. . . . More than 3,200 naked, emaciated bodies had been flung into shallow graves." —Omar N. Bradley, A General's Life. What did discoveries such as the one described in this text reveal about World War II?

The Nazis had killed millions of civilians.

In which of the following ways was Japan's government most like Italy's during the 1930s?

Both fought to expand their territory beyond their borders.

What led to the rise of a totalitarian dictatorship in Italy after World War I? Identify what a totalitarian dictatorship is, the conditions in Italy following World War I that led to the rise of a dictatorship, and Benito Mussolini's role in establishing the dictatorship.

A totalitarian dictatorship as a government in which a single party or leader controls the government and every aspect of lives of citizens in a nation, and that a dictator uses fear and force to impose the will of the state upon the citizens. Responses should go on to demonstrate an understanding of the conditions in Italy following World War I: Italians were frustrated that they did not get the territory that they had hoped to obtain after World War I; that like many other countries, the postwar economic depression greatly affected the nation; and many Italians feared the ongoing unrest and growth of communism and its call for revolution. Finally, responses should identify Benito Mussolini as the leader of the Fascist Party who promised to restore efficiency and order and make Italy great again; that within a few years, Mussolini consolidated his control over the government, outlawed political parties, took over the press, and jailed or murdered critics of the government.

According to MacArthur, why was the use of the atomic bomb unnecessary?

A weakened Japan would have surrendered without it.

Identify reasons for U.S. involvement in World War II, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. Write a paragraph identifying the events surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor. Consider why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and what damage the attack inflicted. Explain what President Roosevelt did in response to the attack and why the attack was a turning point in World War II.

President Roosevelt tried to stop Japanese expansion by placing embargoes on important resources, such as oil and scrap metal, to Japan; that when negotiations between Japan and the United States broke down, Japan planned an attack Pearl Harbor to force the United States into submission; that the surprise attack on December 7, 1941 inflicted heavy American losses—about 2,400 people killed, 19 ships sunk or severely damaged, and almost 200 planes destroyed—but that much of the American Pacific fleet survived. Responses should go on to indicate that Pearl Harbor was a turning point in the war because Roosevelt responded the next day by asking Congress to declare war on Japan; that Congress declared war against Germany and Italy when these Japanese allies declared war on the United States; that the attack on Pearl Harbor unconditionally brought the United States into World War II.

Explain the economic effects of World War II on the home front such as rationing. Write a paragraph explaining rationing on the home front and describing its effects. Answer the following questions in your paragraph: What was rationing? How was rationing controlled? What kinds of goods and materials were rationed and why? How were victory gardens a response to the effects of rationing?

Rationing was government-controlled limits on the amount of certain goods that civilians could buy during wartime; that Americans were issued coupon books that limited the amount of certain goods that they could buy, such as coffee, sugar, meat, and gasoline; that once the coupons for an item were spent Americans could not purchase that item again until they received a new coupon book; and that rationing caused shortages and victory gardens were a way for Americans to lessen food shortages by growing some of their own food.

What were the risks of President Roosevelt's decision to restore U.S. relations with the Soviet Union in 1933?

Roosevelt's action could be seen as an approval of Stalin's totalitarian government. Because the United States had proved its power during World War I, its support of the Stalin government could provide strength to a totalitarian state. Supporting Stalin also carried the risk of forcing the United States to accept actions by the Soviets it was otherwise opposed to.

Analyze major military events of World War II. Write a paragraph analyzing how the allies fought on multiple fronts to defeat Italy and Germany. Use the map above and your knowledge of the text to analyze how the Allies advanced from several fronts toward Italy and Germany and how the advance from multiple fronts led to their defeat.

The Allies focused on defeating Germany and Italy before taking on Japan full force; that the initial push came from North Africa in 1943 after the surrender of the German army there; that the Allies then planned an invasion of Italy, starting with Sicily and then onward to the mainland; after a series of bloody battles, the Allied troops reached Rome in 1944; that the Soviet army repelled the Germans from Leningrad in 1943; that D-Day added another front to the war against Germany; that in 1944 Soviet soldiers advanced from the east, forcing German armies out of Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary; that the Allied troops broke through the German lines in northern France and moved southeast to liberate Paris in 1944 and then moved on through France toward Germany as other Allied forces defeated Italy and moved north toward Germany; and that in 1945, the fronts came together outside Berlin, resulting in the surrender of Germany on May 7, 1945.

Summarize the importance of the Battle of the Bulge.

The Battle of the Bulge was Germany's last major effort to stop the Allied forces from pushing forward to Germany and victory. The Germans launched a major attack against Allied lines, but they failed to break through those lines. After this failure, the Allies were able to regroup and build momentum to invade Germany.