World War 2: 1939-1942
What events led to the start of WW2?
1) Unemployment, desperation led to rise of totalitarian dictators 2) Fascist dictators Hitler and Mussolini want to conquer new territories 3) Extreme nationalism and need for raw materials in Japan under Hideki Tojo
How long did it take before Hitler called off the attacks on Britain and began focusing his attention on eastern europe.
8 months
The League of Nations refused to stop Hitler in order to keep peace, so he decided to annex ___________.
Austria
Hitler also took control of the _______.
Balkans
After France fell to the Nazis, who was the only country fighting Germany?
Britain
What was going on with Britain, France and the U.S?
Britain and France were leaders of the League of Nations and wanted to avoid war. The U.S. was dealing with the Great Depression.
The Axis Powers controlled most of Europe and North Africa, BUT were unable to defeat what two countries?
Britain and the Soviet Union
What happened at the Munich Conference in 1938?
England and France met with Hitler and Mussolini to work out an agreement to avoid war.
What country did Italy invade?
Ethiopia
Why is WW2 called a "Two Theater" war?
Fighting took place both in Europe and in the Pacific.
Japan conquered European colonies in Asia, including _________.
French Indochina
What is Blitzkreig?
Germany used a lightning war strategy that relied on fast and strong air raids, artillery, and tanks.
What was the Battle of Britain?
Germany's air force began a massive bombing campaign against Britain.
Who formed the AXIS coalition?
Germany, Italy , and Japan
What 2 U.S. colonies to Japan threaten to take?
Guam and the Philippines
What happened 6 months after the Munich conference?
Hitler broke his promise and annexed ALL of Czechoslovakia.
What is the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
Hitler wants Poland back but he does not want to start a war with the Soviet Union. So, Stalin and Hitler agree to the Nazi-Soviet NonAgression Pact and promise never to attack each other.
What was the Rape of Nanjing?
Japan invaded China in 1937 and killed 300,000 unarmed soldiers and civilians.
In 1940, Italian and German troops moved to take control of ________.
North Africa
On September 1, 1939 Hitler ordered and attack on ____________.
Poland
By 1940, Germany had conquered.......
Poland, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
In 1936, Hitler moved his army to _________.
Rhineland
In 1941, Hitler broke the Nazi-Soviet Pact and invaded ________.
Soviet Union
After Austria, Hitler demanded Czechoslovakia, which is also known as _____________.
Sudetenland
What encouraged Hitler to try expansion?
The League of Nations had done nothing to stop Italy and Japan when they invaded Ethiopia and China.
What did Britain and France do on September 3, 1939?
They declared war on Germany and WW2 began.
Why did Japan invade Manchuria in 1931?
To seize iron and coal mines
Germany and the Soviet Union agree to ___________ Poland.
divide
England and France use APPEASEMENT with Hitler. This means that they ......
gave in to Hitler's demands to avoid war.
In 1935, Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles by expanding the size of the German ________.
military
What vow did British prime minister Winston Churchill make?
never surender
Name two ways Britain was able to fight back against Germany in the Battle of Britain.
radar AND by cracking German codes
The U.S. wanted to stay neutral. But what did they do after the fall of France and the attack on Britain?
sold war supplies to the Allied Powers
What was happening in the Pacific Theater?
the Japanese were expanding
At the Munich Conference, Germany would be allowed to keep Sudetenland if Hitler promised WHAT?
to stop expanding
The Allies and the Axis Powers converted to ___________ War for the second time in 20 years.
total
