History 15.4-16.1 Quiz

Charles de Gaulle

A French general, set up a government-in-exile in London

Hitler's Failed Push Onto Moscow (16.1)

A Nazi drive on the capital (Hitler was impatient) began on October 2, 1941. By December, the Germans had advanced to the outskirts of Moscow. Soviet General Georgi Zhukov counterattacked. As the temperatures fell, the Germans in summer uniforms retreated. Hitler giving a "No retreat" order. German troops dug in about 125 miles west of Moscow. They held the line against the Soviets until March 1943 which cost 500,000 German lives.

Isolationism

A belief that political ties to other countries should be avoided

War between China and Japan (15.4)

A border incident touched off a full-scale war between China and Japan as Japan forces swept into northern China China's army led by Jiang Jieshi was no match for the better equipped and trained Japanese

Atlantic Charter

A joint declaration between Roosevelt and Churchill

Charles de Gaulle Sets Up a Government-in-exile (16.1)

After France fell, Charles de Gaulle, a French general, set up a government-in-exile in London. He committed to all his energy to reconquering France. De Gaulle went on to organize the Free French military forces that battled the Nazis unti France was liberated in 1944.

Rommel Seizes Tobruk (16.1)

After fierce fighting for Tobruk, the British began to drive Rommel back. By mid-January 1942, Rommel had retreated to where he had started. By June 1942, Rommel regrouped, pushed the British back across the desert, and seized Tobruk. Rommel's successes in North Africa earned him the nicknamed "Desert Fox".

German Forces Trap Allied Forces (16.1)

After reaching the French coast, the German forces swung north again and joined with German troops in Belgium By the end of May 1940, the German had trapped the Allied forces around the northern French city of Lille (Leel) Outnumbered, outgunned, and pounded from the air, the Allies retreated to the beaches of Dunkirk, a French port city near the Belgian border. They were trapped with their backs to the sea

Germany Attacks Poland (16.1)

After signing this non aggression pact, Hitler quickly moved ahead with plans to conquer Poland His surprise attack took place at dawn on September 1, 1939 German Tanks and troop trucks rumbled across the Polish border and German aircraft and artillery began a merciless bombing of Poland, Warsaw

Allied Soldiers and German Soldiers Have a Staring Contest (16.1)

After they declared war on Germany, the French and British had mobilized their armies, stationing their troops along the Maginot Line, a system of fortifications along France's border with Germany They waited for the Germans to attack, but nothing happened The Allies soldiers started eastward towards the enemy, and the German soldiers stared back from their Siegfried Line a few miles away Germans called it the sitzkrieg "sitting war" and some newspaper referred to i as the "phony war"

U.S. Drafts the Atlantic Charter (16.1)

Although the United States had not yet entered the war, Roosevelt and Churchill met secretly and issued a joint declaration called the Atlantic Charter. It upheld free trade among nations and the right of people to choose their own government. The charter later served as the Allies' peace plan at the end of WWII.

Axis Powers

An alliance between the nations Japan, Italy, and Germany

War Continues as Japan advances into China (15.4)

Beijing and other northern cities such as Nanjing fell to the Japanese Japanese troops killed tens of thousands within Nanjing Jiang Jieshi was forced to retreat westward and set up a new capital and Chonqing as Communist Leader Mao Zedong continued to fight the Japanese

Nazis Conquer Balkan Countries (16.1)

By early 1941, through the threat of force, he had persuaded Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary to join the Axis Powers. Yugoslavia and Greece, which had pro-British government resisted. Early 1941, Hitler invaded both countries. Yugoslavia fell in 11 days. Greece surrendered in 17. In Athens, the Nazis celebrated their victory by raising swastikas on the Acropolis.

Militarist Plans to Expand (15.4)

Extreme Nationalists, kept Emperor Hirohito as head of state and won popular support for army leaders ruling in his name Wanted to solve economic problem through expansion, planning a Pacific Empire in which included a conquered China (Manchuria) and provide them with the raw materials needed to industrialize as well as room for the growing population

Effects of the Invasion of Manchuria (15.4)

First direct challenge to the League of Nations as they vigorously protested when Manchuria was seized Germany, Italy, and Japan posed the greatest threats to peace Japan withdrew from the League of Nations

Germany Invades France & Controls Northern France (16.1)

Following Dunkirk, resistance in France began to crumble By June 14, French leaders surrendered part of the country Germans took control of the northern part of the Country They left the southern part to a puppet government headed by Marshal Philippe Petain, a French hero from WWI. The headquarters of this government was in the city of Vichy

Poland Annexed to Germany (16.1)

France and Great Britain declared war on Germany on September 3 Poland fell some time before those nations could make any military response Hitler annexed the western half of Poland, the region with a large German population

Erwin Rommel

General who commanded a crack German tank force, the Afrika Korps, to reinforce the Italians

Mussolini's Effort in the War (16.1)

Germany's first objective in the Mediterranean region head North Africa, mainly because of Hitler's partner, Mussolini Despite its alliance with Germany, Italy had remained neutral at the beginning of the war With Hitler's conquest of France, however, Mussolini knew he had to take action After declaring war on France and Great Britain, Mussolini moved into France.

Appeasement

Giving in to an aggressor in order to keep peace

Britain Rescues Allied Forces (16.1)

Great Britain sent out to rescue the army by sending sending a fleet of about 850 ships across the English Channel to Dunkirk Along with Royal Navy ships, civilian craft (yachts, lifeboats, motorboats, paddle steamers, and fishing boats), joined the rescue effort From May 26 to June 4, this amateur armada, under heavy fire from German bombers, sailed back and forth from Britain to Dunkirk The boats carried some 338,000 battle-weary soldiers to safety.

Munich Conference

Held on September 29, 1938 and was a proposed meeting by Mussolini consisting of Germany, France, Britain, and Italy in Munich, Germany

Nationalists Win & Franco Becomes Spain's Fascist Dictator (15.4)

Hitler and Mussolini sent troops, tanks, and airplanes to help Franco's forces, the Nationalists The armed forces of the Republicans received little help from abroad The Western democracies remained neutral Only the Soviet Union sent equipment and advisers An international brigade of volunteers fought on the Republican side. Early 1939, Republican resistance collapsed, Franco became Spain's Fascist dictator

Hitler's Plan to Invade the USSR (16.1)

Hitler began planning to attack his ally, the USSR, as early as the summer of 1940. The Balkan countries of southeastern Europe were key to Hitler's invasion plan. Hitler wanted to build bases in southeastern Europe for the attack on the Soviet Union. He also wanted to make sure the British did not interfere.

Hitler ignored Treaty to expand Army (15.4)

Hitler had longed pledge to undo the Versailles Treaty as it limited the size of Germany's army. March 1935, the Fuhrer announced that Germany would not obey these restrictions, the League issued only a mild condemnation

Rhineland's Marking of the Turning Point of War (15.4)

Hitler later admitted that he would have backed down if the French and British challenged him. German reoccupation of Rhineland marked a turning point in the march towards war: It strengthened Hitler's power and prestige within Germany. The balance of power changes in Germany's favor. France and Belgium were now open to attack from German troops. The weak response by France and Britain encouraged Hitler to speed up his expansion.

Hitler Tries to Break British Morale by Bombing Britain (16.1)

Hitler now turned his mind to an invasion of Great Britain His plan was first to knock out the Royal Air Force (RAF) and then land more than 250,000 soldiers on England's shores In the summer of 1940, the Luftwaffe ("air weapon") began bombing Great Britain The Germans first targeted airfields and aircraft factories Then on September 1940, they began focusing on the cities to break morale Despite the destruction and loss of life, the British did not waver

Axis Powers Joining Together (15.4)

Hitler's growing strength convinced Mussolini that he should seek an alliance with Germany. In October 1936, the two dictators reached an agreement that became known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. A month later, Germany, Italy, and Japan came to be called the Axis Powers.

Rommel's Afrika Korps Support Mussolini's Forces (16.1)

In December, the British struck back and the result was a disaster for the Italians. By February 1941, the British had swept 500 miles across North Africa and had taken 130,000 Italian prisoners. To reinforce the Italians, Hitler sent a crack German tank force, the Afrika Korps, under the command of General Erwin Rommel. In late March 1941, Rommel's Afrika Korps attacked, caught by surprise British forces retreated east to Tobruk, Libya.

German Expand Westwards (16.1)

In May of 1940, Hitler began a dramatic sweep through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, apart of the strategy to strike France Keeping the Allies' attention on those countries, Hitler then sent an even larger force of tanks and troops to slice through the Ardennes, a heavily wooded area in northern France, Luxembourg, and Belgium Moving through the forest, the Germans squeezed between the Maginot Line where they moved across France and reached the countries northern coast in 10 days.

Japan Invades and Expands into Manchuria (15.4)

Japanese businesses invested greatly in this land rich in iron and coal Japanese army seized Manchuria despite Japanese parliament objections Puppet government was set up

Francisco Franco

Led the Spanish military forces that revolted against the democratic government in 1936

Militarists control Japan (15.4)

Military controls Japan Military leaders gained support and won control of the government due to the Great Depression & Japanese blaming the government Wanted to restore traditional of the government to the military Made the emperor the symbol state of power

Blitzkrieg

Military strategy using fast-moving airplanes and tanks, followed by massive infantry forces, to take enemy defenders by surprise and quickly overwhelm them

President Roosevelt Sells Arms to Allies (16.1)

Most Americans felt that the U.S. should not get involved in the war. Between 1935 and 1937, Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts. The Laws made it illegal to sell arms or lend money to nations at war. President Roosevelt knew that if the Allies fell, the United States would be drawn into the war. In September 1939, he asked Congress to allow the Allies to buy American arms. The Allies would pay cash and then carry the goods on their own ships.

Italy invades Ethiopia (15.4)

Mussolini ordered an invasion to the African independent nation in October 1935 Ethiopian swords and spears were no match for Italy's airplanes, tanks, guns, and poison gas

Mussolini Invades Egypt and the Suez Canal (16.1)

Mussolini took his next step in North Africa in September 1940. While the Battle of Britain was raging, he ordered his army to attack British-controlled Egypt. Egypt's Suez Canal was the key to reaching the oil fields of the Middle East. Within a week, Italian troops had pushed 60 miles inside Egypt, forcing British units back. Then both sides dug in and waited.

Battle of Britain

Nazi forces bomb Britain to break British Morale. Hitler later withdrew his Air Force because British resistance was too strong

Russia Invades Nations North of Poland (16.1)

On September 17, Stalin sent Soviet troops to occupy the eastern half of Poland then moving to annex countries north of Poland Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia fell without a struggle, but Finland resisted In November, Stalin sent nearly 1 million Soviet troops into Finland The Soviets expected to win a quick victory, so they were not prepared for winter fighting

Undeclared Naval War With Hitler (16.1)

On September 4, a German U-boat fired on a U.s. destroyer in the Atlantic. In response, Roosevelt ordered navy commanders to shoot German submarines on sight. The United was now involved in an undeclared naval war with Hitler.

Starvation of Leningrad (16.1)

On September 8, German forces Leningrad under siege. By early November, the city was completely cut off from the rest of the Soviet Union. German bombs destroyed warehouses where food was stored. Desperately hungry, people began eating cattle and horse feed, as well as cats and dogs, and finally, crows and rats. Nearly 1 million (originally more than 2.5 inhabitants) people died in Leningrad during the winter of 1941 - 1942, yet the city refused to fall.

Stalin & the USSR Allies With Germany (16.1)

Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin signed a ten-year non aggression pact with Hitler After being excluded from the Munich Conference, Stalin was not eager to join with the West Germany and the Soviet Union (secret pact) agreed to divide Poland between them and agreed that the USSR could have over Finland and the Baltic countries of Lithuania

Francisco Franco & His Army Revolts in a Civil War (15.4)

Spain had been a monarchy until 1931, when a republic was declared however the government run by liberals and Socialists led office amid many crises In July 1936, army leaders, favoring a Fascist-style government, joined General Francisco Franco in a revolt. This began a civil war that dragged on for 3 years.

German Invasion of Denmark & Norway (16.1)

Suddenly on April 9, 1940, Hitler launched a surprise invasion of Denmark and Norway After 4 hours, Denmark fell, 2 months after, Norway surrendered The Germans began to build bases along the Norwegian and Danish coasts from which they could launch strikes on Great Britain

League of Nations ignore Ethiopian Invasion (15.4)

The Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selassie, urgently appealed to the League for help, but although the League condemned the attack, its members did nothing Britain continued to let Italian troops and supplies pass through the British-controlled Suez Canal on their way to Ethiopia. By giving in to Mussolini in Africa, Britain and France hoped to keep peace in Europe.

Russia Annexes Finland (16.1)

The Finns were outnumbered and outgunned In the freezing winter weather, soldiers on skis swiftly attacked Soviet positions The Soviets struggled to make progress through the deep snow and suffered heavy losses but won through sheer force of numbers By March 1940, Stalin had forced the Dinns to accept his surrender terms.

Germany Utilizes "Blitzkrieg" (16.1)

The German invasion of Poland was the first test of Germany's newest military strategy, the blitzkrieg "lightning war"

German Occupation within Rhineland (15.4)

The League's failure to stop Germany from rearming convinced Hitler to take even greater risks. The treaty had forbidden German troops to enter a 30-mile-wide zone on either side of the Rhine River. Known as Rhineland, the zone formed a buffer between Germany and France, an important industrial area. March 7, 1936, German troops moved into Rhineland. The French were unwilling to risk war, the British urged appeasement.

Third Reich

The Nazi German Empire

Technology Helps Britain Turn the Tide (16.1)

The RAF, although badly outnumbered began to hit back hard. Radar (Late 1930s): Could tell the number, speed, and direction of incoming warplanes. Enigma (Smuggled Into Britain Late 1930): German code-making machine, enabled the British to decode German secret messages.

German Forces Push Using Scorched-earth Policy (16.1)

The invasion rolled on week after week until the Germans had pushed 500 miles inside the Soviet Union. As the Soviet troops retreated, they burned and destroyed everything in the enemy's path.

Winston Churchill

The new British prime minister who declared his nation would never give in to Germany

Hitler Turns East (16.1)

The stubborn resistance of the British in the Battle of Britain caused a shift in Hitler's strategy in Europe. He decided to deal with them later.

Hitler Recalls his Air Force from Britain (16.1)

To avoid the RAF's attacks, the Germans gave up on daylight raids in October 1940 in favor of night bombing At Sunset, the wail of sirens filled the air as Londoners flicked to the subways, which served as air-raid shelters This Battle of Britain continued until May 10, 1941. Stunned by British resistance, Hitler called off his attacks, and focused on the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. The Battle of Britain taught the Allies that Hitler's attacks could be blocked.

Non Aggression Pact

Treaty between nations not to attack each other

Lend-Lease Allows U.S. to Lease Arms to Allies (16.1)

Under the Lend-Lease Act, passed in March 1941, the president could lend or lease arms and other supplies to any country vital to the United States. By the Summer of 1941, the U.S. Navy was escorting British ships carrying U.S. arms. In response, Hitler ordered his submarines to sink any cargo ships they met.

Germany Invades USSR (16.1)

With the Balkans firmly in control, Hitler could move ahead with Operation Barbarossa, his plan to invade the Soviet Union. Early in the morning of June 22, 1941, the roar of German tanks and aircraft announced the beginning of the invasion. Although the Soviet Union had the largest army in the world, its troops were neither well equipped nor well trained.

Winston Churchill Defends Britain (16.1)

With the fall of France, Great Britain stood alone against the Nazis Winston Churchill, the new British prime minister, had already declared that his nation would never give in In a rousing speech, he proclaimed "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets... we shall never surrender."