Chapter 14

How many casualties were suffered during the D-Day Invasion?

Despite over 10,000 casualties, all landing beaches were secure by the end of D-Day. During the next three weeks the Allies landed a million troops and tons of equipment, food, and supplies in Normandy.

Adolf Hitler

German leader, came to power in 1933, ruled until 1945. Attempted to takeover all of Europe and eliminate Jews and other people that did not meet his "master race" criteria.

Why was the United States interested in developing a weapon of mass destruction?

If the war ended sooner by the use of one weapon, then fewer Allied lives would be lost in an invasion of Japan. The development of the atomic bomb served the purpose of defeating Japan with fewer Allied lives lost.

Why was Operation Barbarossa considered Hitler's greatest mistake?

It split his forces and made an enemy of Stalin. It is possible Hitler would have won the war had he not made that mistake.

How was business restructured on the Allied home fronts in order to support the war effort?

It was a matter of supply and demand and winning the war. Fewer non-essential goods were produced. Without the demand for non-essential items and the need for weapons and war machines, manufacturing turned to producing assets such as tanks, aircraft, and artillery needed to win the war. Many factory workers had left to serve in the war, so women filled many of those positions.

What was the Manhattan Project that was setup by President Roosevelt in 1942?

It was a top secret plan put into place by FDR in which scientists were using nuclear fission to come up with the most destructive bomb that mankind would ever know. The atomic bomb was secretly tested as WWII continued.

What happened during the winter of 1939 and 1940?

It was called the "Phony War" as both sides mobilized for an all-out war in the spring. French dug in behind the Maginot Line, British forces fell in behind the French forces, Stalin's forces took control of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

What happened on May 7, 1945?

The head of the German military agreed to unconditional surrender. The next day, May 8, 1945 is remembered as V-E Day (Victory in Europe).

How did the Germans attack the British on August 12, 1940?

They began the "Battle of Britain" as the German Luftwaffe began a daily bombing campaign of England's southern coast. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) did its best to fight off the Germans.

What steps did the League of Nations take in response to Italy's actions?

They condemned their acts of aggression and passed sanctions (penalties) against Italy. League of Nations had no power or authority to enforce the sanctions. Italy took control of Ethiopia in 1936.

As World War II continued into 1941, what were President Franklin Roosevelt and the American perspective on the war?

They continued to claim that they were neutral, but began helping the British through the Lend Lease Act.

What did the Soviet troops do as they were forced to retreat?

They destroyed everything in their path, leaving behind no food, clothing, or shelter for the advancing German forces.

How did the British and the French react to the attack on Poland?

They finally abandoned their policy of appeasement, declared war on the Axis Powers, and mobilized their forces for war.

How did the Nazis put their anti-Semitic beliefs into practice?

They forced many Jews to be slave laborers and eventually systematically killed millions.

Why did Hitler's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, force France and Great Britain to declare war on Germany?

They had an alliance with Poland that obligated them to defend Poland.

How do you think U.S. military leaders viewed Japanese Americans?

They saw no distinction between Japanese in Japan and Japanese Americans in the United States. They were all enemies. There were rumors abound that Japanese Americans were going to strap bombs to their bodies and go into stores, schools, restaurants, etc. and blow up the bomb to kill as many people as possible.

How did Germany quickly overwhelm Poland in September 1939?

"Blitzkrieg" or "Lightning Warfare," in which the Germans attempted to quickly overwhelm the Polish forces, The German Luftwaffe (Air Force) bombed airfields, bridges, factories, and cities.

What ultimatum did the Allies issue Japan on July 26th?

"Surrender before August 3rd or face "prompt and utter destruction."

Franklin Roosevelt

(FDR) Only four-term President of the United States that led the nation during the majority of World War II.

What happened to Stalingrad, Warsaw, and Berlin?

Although atomic weapons were not used here, these cities were completely destroyed.

What were the results of the constant bombings?

15,000 died as much of London was destroyed.

How many Soviet troops were killed during the initial German advance?

2.5 million

What was at General Eisenhower's disposal as he got set to invade Normandy Beach?

7,000 ships, carrying 100,000 men and some 10,000 airplanes were all waiting for the attack order.

How did the Atlantic Charter shape the goals of the war?

A secret meeting between F.D.R. and Churchill that developed final goals for the war: Defeat Hitler and Nazism, Self Determination for nations, Permanent Security System

Why did the democracies finally promise to protect Poland from a German invasion?

After Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, the democracies realized that their policy of appeasement was a failure. Poland was the next country for Germany to invade in Eastern Europe, so the democracies promised to protect it from invasion.

Where were the Italian forces fighting in October 1940?

After not being able to hold the front in North Africa, they fought difficult battles in Greece

What technological advancements impacted World War II?

Air Warfare, Submarines, Bombs, Radar/Sonar

How was World War II a Total War?

All citizens were mobilized for the war either on the war or home front. Women worked in previously male dominated industries, took over farms, and businesses. Citizens were asked to conserve and many items were rationed. Citizens purchased war bonds to financially support the war.

How did the leaders in Italy, Germany, and Japan differ from most post-World War I leaders?

All three were power hungry, imperialistic leaders who desired more territory.

What happened to Allied Forces as German forces continued to pour into France?

Allied forces retreated to the French coastal town of Dunkirk, trapping them along the English Channel.

How did the defeat of the Axis Powers in Europe impact the war strategy of the Allies?

Allies could now focus all their resources and military on defeating the Japanese in the Pacific.

Describe the situation in Germany in March of 1945.

Allies had crossed the Rhine River and entered Western Germany. Soviet forces had crossed into Eastern Germany and made their way to Berlin. With the Allies closing in from both directions, all hope of victory was lost.

What had happened by August 25, 1944?

American and Free French forces liberated Paris. A provisional government was setup under Free-French leader Charles de Gaulle. By mid-September the Allies had control of most of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

What did Adolf Hitler see happen to his friend and ally Benito Mussolini in Italy?

An angry Italian mob of resistance fighters captured and killed Benito Mussolini. He was hung upside down in the center of Rome. Later his body was pulled down and they dragged his body through the streets of Italy allowing Italian citizens to spit on him.

Where can the roots of German anti-Semitism be traced to?

Anti-Semitism had existed in Europe for centuries.

What were the results of dropping the bomb on Hiroshima?

At ground zero of the explosion, the temperature reached 540,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The explosion killed about 70,000 people, while another 40,000 died from it later on and many survivors were so badly burned that their skin peeled off of their body in large strips.

What happened after Japan ignored the ultimatum?

At precisely 8:15 A.M. on August 6, 1945, a B-29 bomber named Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the site of numerous war plants and a major assembly point for convoys. It was believed that Japan's will to go on would be weak after the bombing of Hiroshima.

Which camp was the worst?

Auschwitz in Poland, which gassed on average 12,000 people a day, 1.6 million in all.

Why did France and Great Britain continue to appease Hitler?

Avoid War, Economic Problems, More Concerned with Communism and Stalin, British felt the Versailles Peace terms were too harsh

What were the results of the early fighting in Africa?

Axis powers led by Rommel were winning.

Who were the two main generals in command of forces in North Africa?

Axis- German General Erwin "The Desert Fox" Rommel, Allies- British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery

How was the Japanese attack on the U.S naval base at Pearl Harbor similar to the German invasion of Poland?

Both were surprise attacks done before any declaration of war.

Why do you think the air strike was important to Germany's plan to invade Britain?

Britain had a strong navy, so Germany would have to secure the air before invading the island nation.

Neville Chamberlain

British Prime Minister at the start of World War II. Made the tragic mistake of appeasing and trusting Hitler. "Peace in our time."

Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister during the majority of the war. He spoke out against Hitler during the 1930s and was ridiculed. He helped lead the British against Hitler during the Battle of Britain.

What was Hitler's Final Solution?

By 1941, German leaders had devised a plan to systematically eliminate all Jews and other groups by killing them in concentration camps in what was called "The Final Solution" to the Jewish problem.

How did British Prime Minister Winston Churchill save the Allies at the "Miracle at Dunkirk?"

Churchill called on all British citizens to help in an emergency evacuation of Allied Troops at Dunkirk. Every rowboat, sailboat, tugboat, and ship was commissioned as part of the Royal Navy to aid in the evacuation of Allied forces trapped across the channel. The efforts at Dunkirk saved the war for the British and raised their spirits.

Explain the importance of Winston Churchill during World War II.

Churchill gave a voice to the defiance and determination that kept Britain strong during the Blitz. Britain was the only country defending democracy in Europe in 1940. It was necessary to keep British morale and spirit high, which Churchill was able to do by his inspiring leadership.

General Bernard Montgomery

Commander of the British Forces during World War II.

How were death camps different from concentration camps? Which of Hitler's goals did the death camps address?

Concentration camps were initially used as detention centers and labor camps, but death camps were put in place with the sole purpose of executing millions of "undesirables" immediately upon arrival. Death camps were part of Hitler's "Final Solution."

In order to pave the way for the invasion of D-Day, what preliminary steps did Eisenhower take on the Western Front to distract and weaken Germany?

Eisenhower's strategy included Allied bombing of French and German infrastructure instead of only military targets. The Allies used the long-range, heavy- artillery carrying B-24 bomber to demolish French bridges and railroads, which hindered the transport of German weapons, machinery, and food supplies. In addition, they bombed German war factories and aircraft so that German planes would be disabled from use against the D-Day forces landing in Normandy.

List the lingering issues in Germany from the Treaty of Versailles.

Embarrassment/Resentment, Economic struggles as they owed $33 billion in reparations, Disarmament

What three leaders met in Munich, Germany in September 1938? Explain the results of this meeting.

German leader Adolf Hitler, French Premier Edouard Daladier, and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. They came up with the Munich Agreement, as the leaders agreed to let Hitler have the Sudetenland without a fight. Hitler in return promised that he would never again seek any additional territory.

Why did Germany, Italy, and Japan reach an agreement to form the Axis Powers?

Formed an anti-democratic union to support each country's desire to expand its territory. Also wanted to prevent the spread of communism.

Who came to power during the Spanish Civil War? What form of government did he implement?

Francisco Franco, "Falange Party" or Fascist Party.

Charles de Gaulle

French General led the French government in exile during the war. Became the leader of France after the war.

Who commanded U.S. forces in the Philippines?

General Douglas MacArthur. U.S. forces were badly outnumbered, but he still managed to hold off the Japanese for over three months.

What two U.S. Generals arrived in Morocco to coordinate an attack at Casablanca, Morocco vs. the Germans?

General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George Patton began pushing the Germans from the West, while Montgomery's forces pushed from the East.

How did President Roosevelt react to the Pearl Harbor attack?

He asked Congress to declare war on the Axis Powers and stated, "This is a day that would live in infamy."

What action did Hitler take as a result of a large minority of Germans in Czechoslovakia?

He demanded that the Sudetenland in Western Czechoslovakia be annexed as part of Germany.

What was French General Charles de Gaulle able to do despite the French surrender?

He established a French government-in-exile where he worked towards the goal of liberating France.

What order did President Roosevelt issue in response to the so-called threat from Japanese Americans?

He issued Executive Order 9066 authorizing military officials to exclude "any or all persons" from areas designated "Military Zones." Under this order, all Japanese on the West Coast, including American citizens of Japanese descent, were to be evacuated and confined in internment camps. 110,000 Japanese Americans spent up three years in camps.

What did Hitler do in March 1938?

He moved his Nazi Troops into Austria to carry out the "Anschluss," which was the Union of Austria and Germany.

Where did Hitler send his troops in 1936? Why was this a risky move?

He sent troops into the demilitarized "Rhineland" along the border with France. Although Hitler had started rebuilding his military, they were not yet prepared to fight a war. Had France challenged Germany over the Rhineland Germany would have been destroyed.

What did Churchill say about a German attack on Great Britain in 1940?

He stated that the British would never surrender.

How did Hitler quickly violate the Munich Agreement?

He took control of the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Who was in charge on the Nazi Concentration Camps?

Heinrich Himmler

What did Hitler do in June 1941 as he realized the British would never surrender?

Hitler abandoned his plan to take control of Great Britain. The Germans were losing too many planes each night. Instead he double-crossed Stalin and attacked the Soviet Union.

How did Adolf Hitler justify his aggressive actions during the 1930s?

Hitler claimed that the goal of the Third Reich was to unite all German-speaking people together. Hitler believed that Germans were superior to their Slavic neighbors and claimed the right to remove millions of an inferior race.

What was Hitler's strategy to take control of the Eastern Front in the Soviet Union?

Hitler ordered his forces to crush the Soviet Union in a quick campaign. He hoped his blitzkrieg tactics that were so successful in the past would prove successful again.

How did Hitler exploit German anti-Semitism for his own political gain?

Hitler scapegoated German Jews by blaming them for the losses in WWI and using anti-Semitism as a uniting force.

What happened in April 1940?

Hitler's forces used Blitzkrieg tactics to quickly overrun Denmark and the Netherlands, moving into Belgium next.

Why did the western democracies follow the policy of appeasement?

Horrors of World War I lingered. They were preoccupied with the poor economic conditions in their own countries.

Where did the Allies go next after their victory in North Africa?

In July 1943, a combined British and American Army landed first in Sicily and then Southern Italy. They defeated the Italians in about a month.

What were the results of the Battle of Midway?

In June 1942, U.S. codebreakers deciphered Japan's naval code, so Admiral Chester W. Nimitz got word of the attack and reinforced Midway with planes and aircraft carriers. During most of the day the Japanese planes had gotten the better of U.S. forces. Fighting had seemed to come to an end for the day and four of the Japanese aircraft carriers were refueling. U.S. warplanes, which had gotten off course during the days fighting, were heading back to base, but were surprised to come across four Japanese aircraft carriers with their fuel lines attached. They were sitting ducks, as all four Japanese aircraft carriers and a third of all of Japan's warplanes were destroyed. Over 3,000 Japanese men lost their lives. The Battle of Midway proved to be a Turning Point in the war, ending the Japanese advance in the Pacific.

What was the policy of appeasement?

It is giving into the demands of another country in order to avoid war. Western nations followed this policy in regard to Hitler.

What is genocide?

It is the systematic and deliberate murder of a particular group.

How did Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union affect the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

It nullified the Nazi-Soviet Pact because the two countries had agreed not to take military, aggressive actions against each other. Hitler's betrayal enraged Joseph Stalin.

Why was the victory at Guadalcanal an impactful battle in the war in the Pacific?

It was the beginning of an offensive known as island-hopping. Designated islands, marking a path toward Japan, were recaptured from the Japanese. Each island retaken was seen as a stepping stone, bringing the Allies closer to Japan.

Benito Mussolini

Italian Fascist Leader (1922-1945), came to power in 1922. Member of the Axis Powers, idolized by Hitler.

What were the results of fighting in Italy?

Italians lost and agreed to an armistice. Mussolini was overthrown and imprisoned. Hitler rescued Mussolini. Germans resisted for 18 months until they were finally pushed out of Italy.

What action did Benito Mussolini and Italy take in 1935?

Italy invaded Ethiopia.

What were the early results of the Pacific Campaign?

Japan won several victories.

Emperor Hirohito

Leader of Japan during World War II. He made the decision to bomb Pearl Harbor that led to U.S. involvement in the war.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union (1924-1953) during World War II. Prior to the war, Stalin purged many of his military leaders that hampered his ability to fight the war.

What was happening in the Pacific Front by mid-1945?

MacArthur indeed returned and retook control of the Philippine Islands. Most of the Japanese navy and air force had been destroyed. Despite the desperation, the Japanese still had two million troops on mainland Japan set to defend the island.

Faced with certain defeat in the Philippines, what order did MacArthur receive?

MacArthur was ordered to retreat to Australia and reorganize his Pacific forces. MacArthur made a famous statement during the retreat, "I shall return."

What is pacifism?

Many citizens in France and Great Britain believed in pacifism or were opposed to all war.

Where were most British citizens forced to live during the Battle of Britain?

Many citizens sought shelter in subways to protect themselves from the bombings.

Why was the Japanese bombing a huge mistake for Japan and the Axis Powers over the long run?

Many claimed that the Japanese had "awakened a sleeping giant."

Where were many of the death camps located?

Many of the camps were located in Poland, including- Auschwitz, Sobibor, Treblinka. Dachau was the first camp, opened in 1933, in the Bavarian region of Germany.

How did private non-Jewish citizens help the Jews?

Many risked arrest to hide Jews, saving 1000s of lives. Anne Frank was able to hide out in Amsterdam throughout the war, avoiding extermination.

List the aggressive steps Japan took during the 1930s?

Military leaders overthrew Japanese government. Declared their need for additional territory to obtain natural resources. In 1931 they invaded Manchuria in China and Withdrew from the League of Nations

How did World War II impact the Great Depression?

Mobilization and increased production for the war wiped out unemployment in the United States, ending the Depression.

What happened in December 1941, as German forces marched towards Moscow?

Much like Napoleon's forces in 1812, Russian General Winter destroyed the German war effort, as 1000s of ill-supplied German troops froze to death.

What lessons can be learned from the Holocaust?

Nations and citizens need to react more quickly to crimes against humanity. The UN and nations must be proactive. "Evil triumphs when good people do nothing." Even with the lessons of the Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide took place in the 1990s.

Why was it difficult for non-Jewish civilians to help, hide, or protect their Jewish neighbors?

Nazis had spies to locate people who were in hiding. Anyone who helped aid a Jewish person would be taken to a concentration camp as well. Many people had anti-Semitic beliefs and didn't want to help Jews.

How did the Nazis use the concentration camp system throughout World War II?

Nazis originally used the concentration camp system as a place to detain political prisoners, or prisoners of the state. Prisoners were used as slave laborers. As time progressed, Hitler used the concentration camp system as a place to send people the Nazis considered "undesirables," such as Jews, Slavs, homosexuals, gypsies, and the handicapped. Eventually, death camps were created as a means to exterminate Jews.

What was the Bataan Death March?

Nearly 78,000 prisoners of war in the Philippines were forced to march sick, exhausted, and starving over 60 miles to a Japanese prison camp. 100s of U.S. and 10,000 Filipino soldiers died along the way. This was one of the most horrific events of the war for Americans.

What economic motives did Hitler have for these actions?

New markets. Additional resources.

Did Japan surrender after the bombing of Hiroshima?

No

To avoid the fate that Mussolini suffered, what did Hitler do once he realized that Germany no longer had any hope of winning the war?

On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide.

What happened after Japan refused to surrender again?

On August 9th, the U.S. dropped another atomic bomb on Japan, this time on the shipbuilding center, Nagasaki. The city was destroyed as some 40,000 people were killed.

On what date did Operation Overlord start?

On June 6, 1944, Eisenhower invaded a 60-mile stretch of beaches in Normandy Beach, France. The invasion became known as the D-Day Invasion.

After defeating Belgium, what did Germany do next?

Once again, they surprised the French forces by invading France through Belgium.

How prepared was Stalin for the German attack on the Soviet Union?

Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the USSR caught Stalin ill-prepared. Stalin had purged his top military generals and advisors, so he had to rebuild his military leadership.

What was the codename for the proposed invasion of France?

Operation Overlord

How many people died during World War II?

Over 50 million people died, 12 million killed in German concentration/death camps, 20 million Soviet civilians died (10% of their population), 10 million Chinese civilians died. 400,000 Americans died.

Hideki Tojo

Prime Minister of Japan from October 17, 1941 - July 22, 1944

What new technology greatly helped the British hold off the Germans?

Radar, which allowed the British to detect incoming German planes

How did Hitler justify his invasion of Poland?

Recover lost land, Obtain another port city, Unite all German-speaking people together

What happened to President Franklin Roosevelt in April 1945?

Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage and Vice-President Truman took his place. Unfortunately for FDR he did not live long enough to see the actual end of the war.

When did World War II officially begin?

September 3, 1939

Who was "Rosie the Riveter?"

She was symbolic of women who were strong enough and determined enough to step-up during the war to work in previously male dominated industries.

How many people were killed in the Death Camps?

Six million Jews and between 11 to 12 million in total.

The atrocities of the Nazis continued until the Allies liberated Europe and the death camps. Why do you believe it took an Allied military victory to stop the Nazis? Why didn't the German people end the Nazis' reign of terror?

Some Germans agreed with Hitler and his plans to make Germany great and powerful.While others likely believed that Hitler and the Nazis were too powerful and to oppose them was useless.

Francisco Franco

Spanish Fascist leader from 1936 to 1974

When the Germans attacked the Soviet Union, what did Stalin agree to?

Stalin and Churchill agreed to work together against Hitler and the Axis Powers.

What requests did Joseph Stalin make at the Teheran Conference in late 1943?

Stalin convinced the Allies to accept the Soviet created borders in Poland. Stalin also demanded that the Allies open up a second front in Europe as quickly as possible.

Explain the conflicting ideas coming out of the February 1945 Big Three Yalta Conference.

Stalin demanded that the Soviet Union control Eastern Europe to serve as a buffer zone against western aggression. FDR and Churchill advocated self-determination for all nations. The three agreed to temporarily divided Germany after the war into four occupation zones. Each nation (US, USSR, GB, France) would administer one zone.

What did Stalin's Soviet forces do once Hitler attacked?

Stalin's Soviet forces invaded Poland from the East.

What actions did Hitler take that violated the Versailles Treaty during the early years of his leadership

Stopped Reparation Payments, Began a military buildup, Increased German Army to over 500,000 Troops

How were individual rights and freedoms of citizens infringed upon during World War II?

Strict Censorship, Propaganda Campaigns. Japanese American citizens faced prejudice after the Pearl Harbor Bombing.

General Dwight Eisenhower

Supreme Allied Commander during World War II. He planned the D-Day Invasion.

After liberation, why was life difficult for European Jews who survived the Holocaust?

Survivors of the Holocaust didn't have a home to go back to. Many people didn't have family left and everything they once owned was stolen or destroyed. European Jews had to start over with nothing. Many of them immigrated to Israel once it was created, and others left to start over in other countries.

After winning World War II, the Allies wanted to ensure that Axis countries would not threaten peace once again. Make a list of steps the Allies took to guard against a rebirth of Axis aggression.

The Allies created new democratic governments in the Axis countries, They founded the UN, They held war crimes trials, The United States began the Marshall Plan, occupied Japan, and occupied and divided Germany.

What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?

The Allies seemed to be marching straight towards Berlin, when German military leaders decided to concentrate their forces towards the center of the Allied lines. In their final offensive effort of World War II, the Germans sent the majority of their remaining forces into the center of Allied lines. The result was a fifty-mile bulge in Allied forces as the Germans advanced and pushed Allied forces all the way back into Belgium. However, German success was short-lived, as after a couple of weeks, German forces were driven backwards, with the Allies back in control of the Western Front. By early 1945, German defeat was nearly certain.

Why did the Allies take only limited action to protect the Jewish people in occupied Europe?

The Allies were hoping they would stop the German advance sooner than they did and thought the problem would be addressed in that way. Initially, the Allies were dealing with economic depressions in their own nations and were focusing on their own problems. Others had feelings of anti-Semitism as well, and some feared communism more than fascism.

Use Visual Information Review the text and the photograph of the soldiers at the Elbe River. What is significant about shaking of hands by American and Soviet soldiers at this point in the war?

The American and Soviet soldiers shaking hands symbolized that the Allies had made their way from the west after pushing from Normandy to eastern Germany, and the Soviets had moved west toward Germany. This was the coming together of the Allies from two fronts.

What financial costs do you think the Axis should have been responsible for, and why?

The Axis countries, the initiators of the war, should pay the Allied countries for the destruction of their communities, industry, and the cost of military equipment used by the Allies to fight the war.

What happened at the Battle of El Alamein?

The British under the leadership of General Bernard Montgomery finally began pushing Rommel's troops back, but could not get them to surrender.

What was going on in North Africa as the U.S. entered the war?

The British were getting hammered as Germany's greatest General Erwin "Desert Fox" Rommel, was threatening to take control of all of Northern Africa, including: Egypt and the vital Suez Canal.

How was the Spanish Civil War another step in the march towards World War II?

The Nazis were able to experiment with their new weapons. It produced open conflict between Fascist and anti-Fascist forces. Increased fears of fascism spreading. It brought Hitler and Mussolini closer together as they united behind Franco's attempt to bring Fascism to Spain by signing a military alliance and aided Spain.

Where is the Coral Sea located? Results? Why was the Battle of Coral Sea a unique battle? Impact?

The Coral Sea is in the South Pacific, off the Northeastern coast of Australia. In two significant days of fighting on May 7 and 8, 1942, near New Guinea, an American naval force stopped a Japanese fleet that was advancing towards Australia. This was a unique battle that was fought entirely by planes launched by aircraft carriers. The victory ended Japan's goal of taking Australia and helped to build confidence for the Allies fighting in the Pacific.

Explain the results of the Battle of Stalingrad

The city was in ruins, but the Russians fought hand to hand amid the ruins of the city. In November 1942, Red Army struck back with everything it had.Battle lasted into the harsh Soviet winter, and on Feb. 2, 1943, the last of the German troops surrendered. 300,000 German soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. 400,000 Soviets had died in the battle, but it proved to be a Turning Point in the Eastern Front and the war. The German eastward advance in Europe was halted for good and proved that the Soviet Union was a force to be reckoned with.

Despite the Miracle at Dunkirk, what happened to France?

The French were forced to surrender to Adolf Hitler and Germany. To add insult to injury, the French had to sign over control of their nation on the same railroad car that the Germans had signed the armistice ending WWI. France was divided into two regions. Vichy France and France.

Why was Hitler's strategic decision to try to take over the oil fields of the Soviet Union a disaster?

The Germans fell short of the oil field goals and became stuck in the bitter winter of the Soviet Union outside Stalingrad and ended up fighting house to house. To gain even a block, it took weeks, and in the midst, masses of soldiers on both sides as well as Soviet civilians were killed. The Germans became trapped within the city of Stalingrad and fresh supplies of food and munitions were not forthcoming from Germany.

Why were the Germans caught by surprise with the D-Day Invasion?

The Germans had believed the invasion would occur further north where the English Channel was narrower. In addition the weather had been so bad that General Rommel, who was in charge of the German forces in France, went home for his wife's birthday, certain that an invasion was not going to occur yet.

What happened in North Africa on May 13, 1943?

The Germans surrendered, as the Allies won the first front in the war. Turning Point in the North African Front

How did the Hitler Youth reinforce anti-Semitic policies?

The Hitler Youth Movement taught children that Jews were polluting German society and culture.

After talks broke down between the United States and Japan, what happened on December 7, 1941?

The Japanese bombed the American Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.Damaged or destroyed 19 Ships. Killed over 2,400 people

Where did the Japanese move their forces after the Pearl Harbor attack?

The Japanese invaded the U.S. controlled Philippine Islands.

Why was the United Nations created when there was already an organization, the League of Nations, designed to prevent world aggression?

The League of Nations, created after World War I to prevent aggression, was unable to prevent an even larger war, World War II.

Do you think the guilt of Hitler and the few who devised the "Final Solution" lessens the guilt of the many people who carried out those orders? Explain your answer.

The Nazi leaders bear most of the blame, while others will argue that ordinary people made the Holocaust possible by following the orders of their leaders. Hitler was such a motivating speaker and he intimidated the masses to comply with his orders.

How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact influence Hitler's decision to invade Poland?

The Nazi-Soviet Pact gave Hitler the reassurance he needed that he wouldn't fight a war with the Western Powers along with the Soviet Union. Once he was reassured that the Soviets wouldn't counterattack if he invaded Poland, he launched an invasion of Poland.

Military operations in the Pacific theater were based on Allied collaboration, but operations were commanded by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. How did each contribute to Japan's defeat?

The United States Navy led by Admiral Chester Nimitz surrounded Japan with ships. The Air Force bombed Japan and ultimately dropped the atomic bombs. The army island-hopped and fought bloody battles on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Great Britain battled the Japanese in Burma and Malaya.

How did the 1935 Nuremberg Laws impact Nazi policy?

The laws stripped Jews of all citizenship rights, banned them from marrying non-Jews, and holding many high level positions in Germany.

How were Warsaw Ghetto residents an inspiration to others?

Their courage in standing up against the persecution inspired others to persevere and to believe the war and the horrors of the Holocaust would end.

Review the text concerning the Allies' war resources, and then look at the infographic showing the GDP for each country and the amount spent on certain resources for the war effort. Compare the two categories for each country. What do the text and the infographic show in terms of GDP of each country during the period 1939-1945 versus the Allied production of tanks and airplanes for the war effort?

There is a direct correlation. The higher the GDP per country, the more tanks and aircraft were constructed by that country.

What did Japan finally do after the bombing of Nagasaki?

They agreed to surrender and formally signed an armistice on September 2, 1945.

What did politicians in western democracies attempt to do after the end of World War I?

They attempted to implement changes in order to prevent another world war. They abandoned militaristic attitudes and preferred that differences be settled through diplomacy.

How did German strategy change as the Battle of Britain continued?

They began bombing non-military targets, including London in hopes that the British would lose their will to fight.

Why did Britons and other people in Western Europe have mixed feelings about the Munich Agreement?

Those who supported appeasement, such as Chamberlain, welcomed the Munich Agreement. Thought it would bring peace because Germany agreed to stop its aggressive actions. Others, however, predicted Hitler wasn't going to stop because there were no consequences for his previous actions.

General Erwin Rommel

Top German general who commanded Axis forces in Northern Africa. Nicknamed the "Desert Fox."

What procedures were carried out at Death Camps?

Trains arrived at the camps and the prisoners were told to handover their possessions and lineup by age and gender. The young, old, and sick were targeted for immediate killing and sent to "shower rooms" or gas chambers. The strong and skilled were sent to work camps where they were usually worked to death. Some were used in disturbing medical experiments

General George Patton

U.S. General, commanded forces in North Africa.

Who were the "Big Three" Allied leaders during World War II? What did they agree to early on?

U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin agreed early on that they would finish the war in Europe before turning their efforts towards Asia.

Harry S. Truman

U.S. President after the death of FDR. He made the decision to drop the Atomic Bombs on Japan that ended World War II.

General Douglas MacArthur

U.S. general who commanded the American forces in the Pacific. After losing at the first battle in the Philippines, he said, "I shall return." Indeed he did!

What was the long-term impact of World War II on the world?

U.S. strongest military and economic nation in the world, Soviet Union/Communism emerged as our enemy, Atomic/Nuclear Age and Arms Race Began, Start of the Cold War, United Nations Created

List four reasons why Hitler wanted to control the Soviet Union.

Ural Mountains: Natural Resources, Siberia: Forests/Lumber, Ukraine: Breadbasket of the USSR, Wheat, Defeat Communism and Stalin

What were the general arguments for and against using atomic bombs to end World War II?

Use the Atomic Bomb- The Japanese still had 2 million troops, The war could drag on for a long time, Japanese were unwilling to surrender, and dropping the atomic bomb could save Allied lives Do Not Use the Atomic Bomb- The ultimate power of the atomic bomb was unknown, The war was almost over. The major battles in Europe had been won. The Japanese air force had been destroyed.

What influenced General Eisenhower's decision to invade Normandy Beach, France in early June 1944?

Weather forecasts and the tides, because conditions needed to be just right for an amphibious invasion of Normandy Beach

What were the four war fronts in World War II? Two Alliances?

Western Front- Axis vs. France/GB, Eastern Front- Axis vs. Soviet Union, North African Front- Axis vs. Allies, Pacific Front- Japanese vs. USA/Australia Allies- Great Britain, France, Soviet Union, United States (1941)

What decision did President Truman make in regard to Japan?

When asked, Truman said, "I regarded the bomb as a military weapon and never had any doubt that it should be used."

What did British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain tell the British people about the Munich Agreement?

When he arrived back from Germany, he declared,"In my hand I hold peace for our time."

After Hitler took control of Czechoslovakia, what did people around the world begin to wonder?

Where would Hitler strike next?

As the U.S. forces devastated the Japanese forces, what desperate tactic did the Japanese use?

With the never surrender, fight to the death attitude, the Japanese began using Kamikaze pilots to inflict damage on the U.S. forces.