Chapter 36 - World War II Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 36 - World War II Deck (76)
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1
Q

What economic problems were Germany facing after World War I?

A

Germany had war debts and had to pay the reparations imposed in the Treaty of Versailles. The government started to print more money, which led to runway inflation. It took one year for something worth 100 Marks (German currency at the time) to require 940,000 Marks. As a result, savings disappeared and salaries could not keep up with the shift.

2
Q

What was the Weimar Republic?

A

The Weimar Republic was a constitutional democracy drafted by Germany in 1919. Germany was formerly a monarchy.

3
Q

What is Mein Kampf?

A

Mein Kampf is a book written by Adolf Hitler that showcased extreme nationalism, racism, and anti-semitism. In his book, Hitler blamed Jews, corruption, Marxists, and business leaders for Germany’s loss in World War I.

4
Q

How did Hitler rise to power? What did he do while he was in power?

A

The economic depression at the time made Hitler’s rhetoric seem reasonable and it ultimately helped him rise to power. He promised to end the reparations, create jobs, and defy the Versailles Treaty. As Chancellor, he suspended civil rights, attacked Marxists, and disbanded all political parties that were not his own. However, he did purge his own party (National Socialists) because he thought they were disloyal. Hitler’s 3rd Reich started massive public works projects, rearmed Germany, and united Germany and Austria. He established a totalitarian state and a secret police known as the Gestapo. Hitler indoctrinated the youth of Germany (“Hitler Youth”) and instilled in them physical fitness, loyalty, and violence.

5
Q

What were the Nuremberg Laws?

A

The Nuremberg Laws were a set of laws passed by the Nazis that deprived Jews of German citizenship and placed restrictions on them. Jews were not allowed to marry non-Jews, attend German schools or universities, hold government jobs, practicing law or medicine, or publish books. Pogroms, mob attacks on a specific ethnic group, erupted as a result.

6
Q

What was the Night of Broken Glass?

A

In 1938, a young Jewish person killed a German diplomat in Paris. Hitler responded by calling for attacks against Jewish communities. Mobs went out and shattered the windows of Jewish homes. This is the point where the government began talking about the Final Solution. (Genocide)

7
Q

What were Nazi eugenics?

A

Nazis were obsessed with the “quality” of offspring. They believed in compulsory sterilization for the “hereditarily determined”. In other words, individuals that had physical deformities, alcoholism, mental illnesses, blindness, etc. were not allowed to have kids.

8
Q

What was the new German culture promoted by Nazis?

A

Religion was considered weak by the 3rd Reich. Nazis hated jazz and modern art because it was associated with
African-Americans.

9
Q

What were the 2 alliances of the Second World War?

A

The Axis Powers was composed of Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Allied Powers was composed of France, Great Britain and their commonwealth allies, the USSR, China, and the United States.

10
Q

What was the Tripartite Act?

A

Also known as the Berlin Pact, the Tripartite Act was a defensive alliances signed by the Axis Powers. It was promoted as a new Congress of Vienna.

11
Q

What happened during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War?

A

In 1931, Japan invaded the Chinese region known as Manchuria. 6 years later, Japan overran Eastern China. The West did not attempt to stop Japan. 20,000 to 80,000 women were raped, 200,000 to 300,000 people were killed and 1/3 of homes were burnt during what was known as the Rape of Nanking. Brothels were established to prevent rape because half-Japanese, half-Chinese children went directly against the concept of eugenics.

12
Q

What happened during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War?

A

In 1935, Italy invades Ethiopia in attempt to colonize and also as an act of revenge. This war demonstrated the weakness of the League of Nations. As punishment for instigating war, sanctions were imposed on Italy but they could not be enforced because the League of Nations doesn’t have an army.

13
Q

What happened during the Spanish Civil War?

A

Francisco Franco led a revolt against the Republic of Spain. His Nationalist supporters were composed of Fascists and
right-wingers and were even supported by the Church. Supporters of the Republic were known as Loyalists. Loyalists were composed of socialists and communists and were partially pro-democracy. Before this civil war, Spain was a far-left constitutional monarchy. Franco was supported by Hitler and Mussolini while the Republic was supported by Stalin.

14
Q

What was the Lincoln Brigade?

A

The Lincoln Brigade was composed of Cubans who supported the Republic during the Spanish Civil War.

15
Q

What was the Condor Legion?

A

The Condor Legion was composed of volunteer German pilots who helped Franco during the Spanish Civil War.

16
Q

How did Hitler defy the Treaty of Versailles?

A

Hitler defied the Treaty of Versailles by building up the German military and by seizing the Rhineland.

17
Q

What was Hitler’s argument for German expansion?

A

Hitler argued that Germany needed more breathing room and that the German people were superior to other people such as the Slavs. Additionally, he felt that Germany required the economic boost from acquiring raw material.

18
Q

How did Germany annex Austria?

A

Prior to the annexation, a union of Germany and Austria existed that was known as the Anschluss. Germany sent troops into Austria in attempt to “keep the peace”. The Prime Minister of Austria basically gave up and invited Hitler over.

19
Q

What was the Czech Crisis?

A

Following the annexation of Austria, Germany turned to Czechoslovakia. Hitler invaded without invitation because he argued that Germans living in the Sudetenland (Czech region) should have autonomy. (right of self-government) The Munich Pact allowed Germany to annex certain portions of Czechoslovakia.
Europe remained silent, employing a policy known as Appeasement.

20
Q

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

A

In August of 1939, Germany and Russia promised peaceful relations between themselves. In reality, they both sought to fairly divide up Poland when they both it invaded rather than fighting over it. There was a mutual benefit.

21
Q

How did Germany invade Poland?

A

One week after the Nazi-Soviet Pact, Germany moved in to Poland and mainly targeted Warsaw, their capital, and Brest. Germany utilized Stuka, a type of aircraft for dive bombing, during this invasion. Dive bombers served as the alternative to heavy, medium, and torpedo bombers. The Stuka was effective because Poland barely had an air force. They were equipped with the intimidating and iconic Jericho Siren. The weakness of the Stuka was that it was extremely slow. However, Poland did not identify this. Britain and France declared on Germany during this event.

22
Q

What is the Blitzkrieg Tactic?

A

The Blitzkrieg Tactic started off by softening targets with the Luftwaffe, Nazi Germany’s aerial warfare branch. The Luftwaffe would bomb airfields, factories, towns, and cities with their Stuka. Next, fast-moving tanks and motorized vehicles would move in. Finally, infantry would mop up the remaining survivors.

23
Q

What happened when Stalin moved west?

A

Stalin took land as he moved west. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were all forced to hold USSR bases. Additionally, parts of Finland were seized.

24
Q

Why did some reporters at the time call this the “phony war”?

A

They called it the phony war because Hitler did not conduct immediate action after his invasion of Poland.

25
Q

What was the Maginot Line?

A

It was a line of forts on the French border that was reinforced following Stalin moving west and Hitler’s invasion of Poland. Britain reinforced it as well.

26
Q

What was the “Miracle at Dunkirk”?

A

In April of 1940, Hitler invaded Norway and Denmark. He also attacked the Netherlands and Belgium, which were quickly defeated. A month later, Germany attacked through the Ardennes Forest of Belgium to avoid France’s Maginot Line. British troops retreated to Dunkirk, a coastal city in France, where they were trapped. All available vessels were sent across the English Channel to rescue them. The rescue mission was successful and about 300,000 troops were saved.

27
Q

What events led to France surrendering?

A

Germany head to Paris after moving through Belgium’s Ardennes Forest. Italy also declared war on France and attacked from the South. At this point, France surrendered. Some French people actually escaped and set up an exile government led by Charles de Gaulle. The surrender was signed on the same railway car that Germany surrendered in during World War I.

28
Q

What happened during the Battle of Britain?

A

Britain stood alone in the West as their allies around them fell to the Axis powers. Winston Churchill had replaced Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister. The Nazi plan was to invade Britain under the codename Operation Sea Lion. They started off with airborne assaults and bombing that lasted 57 nights in a row. Thousands lost their lives. Britain ultimately won this battle.

29
Q

Why did Operation Sea Lion fail?

A

It failed because the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, never gained air superiority.

30
Q

What is the Messerschmitt?

A

It was the principal German fighter plane during the war. It had a swastika and a cross.

31
Q

What is the Spitfire?

A

The Spitfire was a British plane that was long and sleek, resembling an old Corvette.

32
Q

What is the Hurricane?

A

The Hurricane is a British plane that was compact, similar to a 911 Porsche.

33
Q

What happened during Italy’s invasion of Egypt?

A

Egypt, at the time, was controlled by Great Britain. Italy moved through Libya to invade Egypt but Britain defeated them. Hitler sent General Erwin Rommel, who won a series of victories that pushed Britain back into Egypt.

34
Q

What was Operation Barbarossa?

A

Operation Barbarossa was the German Invasion of the Soviet Union. It is the largest military invasion in World History. Germany and Italy sent over 3.6 million of their own troops along with 3,700 tanks. It started in June and the Russian heartland was captured by December but Leningrad and Moscow were still under siege. However, Germany’s Blitzkrieg Tactics were not successful because of the distance and logistics.

35
Q

What were the Neutrality Acts? (1936)

A

The Neutrality Acts were laws passed by the United States that established that no trade shall be made with any country at war.

36
Q

What was the Cash and Carry Policy? (1939)

A

This policy was the improvement to the Neutrality Acts. Now, Allied ships could come to the U.S. to drop off cash and they would carry their newly purchased weapons away.

37
Q

What was the Destroyer Naval Base deal? (1940)

A

This deal struck between the U.S. and Great Britain was a sign of the U.S. stepping away from neutrality. 50 Destroyers were built as a result of this but most didn’t even sail and ended up decommissioned. The main reason for this deal was that it opened up further negotiations between the two countries.

38
Q

What was the Lend Lease Act? (1940)

A

This act authorized the president to transfer arms or any other defense materials for which Congress appropriated money to “the government of any country whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States.”

39
Q

What events led to Pearl Harbor?

A

Japan occupying French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), the United States freezing Japanese assets, and an oil embargo led to Pearl Harbor.

40
Q

When did the events at Pearl Harbor happen?

A

The events at Pearl Harbor happened on December 7, 1941. President FDR described it as “a date that will live in infamy”.

41
Q

What happened at Pearl Harbor?

A

Japanese pilots from 6 aircraft carriers (over 350 aircrafts) deployed 2 waves of attack on Pearl Harbor. 19 U.S. ships were disabled and destroyed but the U.S. aircraft carriers survived. 4 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.

42
Q

What was Japan’s philosophy regarding colonization?

A

Japan believed in “Asia for Asians” which entailed saving Asians from British (and others) colonization. They attacked the Philippiness, Guam, Wake Island, Midway Island, Hong Kong, Thailand, and British Malaya. Then, they captured Borneo, Burma, the Dutch East Indies, and several Aleutian Islands. Britain lost Singapore.

43
Q

What happened during the Battle of Stalingrad?

A

The Battle of Stalingrad was the battle in which Germany fought the Soviet Union over the Russian city of Stalingrad. It was the turning point in the Eastern Front. Germany lost over 300,000 men.

44
Q

Why did Operation Barbarossa fail?

A

Operation Barbarossa failed because Moscow never fell and because Germany thought that the campaign would be brief. They underestimated the Russian forces, who were equipped with 2-3 times more tanks (T-34s) than the Germans.

45
Q

What did Russia do as an act of revenge for Operation Barbarossa? (3-4 years later)

A

Russia pushed into Romania, Hungary, and Poland. They reached Berlin in 1945, which eventually resulted in Hitler’s suicide. There were 6 million German casualties in the Battle of Berlin.

46
Q

What was Operation Torch?

A

Operation Torch was the code name for the Allied invasion of North Africa. Britain won a battle at El Alamein in Egypt and the Axis was defeated a year later. The Allies were led by Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower, in the same year, would take command of the British and American troops in Morocco and Algeria. German Marshal Erwin Rommel retreated, which ignited a manhunt. President FDR feared that the public would perceive Operation Torch as imperialistic because it was an invasion. Both American and British troops wore one uniform in attempt to dismiss these thoughts.

47
Q

How was Erwin Rommel caught?

A

After Rommel fled following Operation Torch, Allies under General Montgomery stopped the Desert Fox (Rommel’s nickname). He was trapped and he later surrendered.

48
Q

What happened during the Invasion of Italy?

A

Allies invaded Sicily in July and then moved on to Italy in September. The Italian government signed a secret armistice, but Germany occupied the country and proceeded to fight the Allies on behalf of Italy. This invasion resulted in Benito Mussolini and his mistress being captured and then executed by Italian partisans.

49
Q

What is Operation Overlord?

A

Operation Overlord was the Allied Invasion of Europe that was launched at the Normandy coast of France. The goal was to take back Europe, mainly France. Operation Neptune, more commonly known as D-Day, was a part of Operation Overlord. Over 175,000 Allied troops landed on 5 beaches. The U.S. invaded Utah Beach and Omaha. Canada invaded Juno. Great Britain invaded Gold and Sword.

50
Q

What was the Atlantic Wall?

A

The Atlantic Wall was a 2,400 mile fortification of bunkers, land mines, and beach/water obstacles that was built by Nazi Germany. Its purpose was to obstruct the Allies on D-Day.

51
Q

How many Allied vehicles were present on D-Day? How many people died?

A

The Allies brought 5,000 vessels and 11,000 planes. Over 4,000 were killed and thousands were wounded or missing.

52
Q

What is Dresden and why was it bombed?

A

Dresden is the cultural center of Germany. The Allies bombed it in 1945 over the course of 4 raids with over 1,000 aircrafts that dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices. Around 22,700 to 25,000 people were killed. People hid in underground shelters but were cooked to death by incendiaries. The Allies claimed that they bombed Dresden to wipe out the German military and to sever communication lines. In reality, they did it to discourage the German population from joining the war.

53
Q

What happened during the Battle of the Coral Sea?

A

The Battle of the Coral Sea was a naval battle between Japan and the U.S. + Australia. This battle was the first serious setback and was the most important battle in Australia’s history. It was the first time in history where the opposing forces did not meet because every attack was carried out by an aircraft carrier.

54
Q

What happened during the Battle of Midway?

A

In this naval battle between Japan and the U.S., 4 Japanese aircraft carriers and 250 planes were destroyed. The U.S. lost 147 planes and 300 sailors. This was the turning point in the Pacific Theatre.

55
Q

What are kamikaze pilots?

A

Kamikaze pilots were Japanese suicide bombers that flew planes into their intended targets. The word “kamikaze” is Japanese for “Divine Wind”. It was used because winds and storms saved Japan when they were invaded by the Mongols. Kamikaze pilots were first used prominently in the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, two savage battles in which U.S. Marines eventually took control of both islands. (First, Iwo Jima in March and then Okinawa in June)

56
Q

What events led to Japan’s surrender? When did they surrender?

A

Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in that order. 5 days after Nagasaki’s bombing, Japanese Emperor Hirohito agreed to surrender. V-J (Victory in Japan) Day followed. They formally surrendered on September 2nd aboard the USS Missouri.

57
Q

When did the war in Europe end?

A

Following Hitler’s suicide in his Berlin bunker, Germany agreed to an unconditional surrender on May 7th. May 8th is celebrated as V-E Day.

58
Q

How many people died in World War II?

A

50 million to 80+ million people died in World War II.

59
Q

Who was Rosie the Riveter?

A

Rosie the Riveter was a symbol for women who worked in defense plants or shipyards. British and American women ended up serving in the armed forces in many auxiliary roles such as driving ambulances, delivering airplanes, and decoding messages.

60
Q

What are some examples of internment camps using by Britain and the U.S. during World War II?

A

Britain restricted the liberties of British Germans by barring off their neighborhoods from the rest of society. Additionally, 110,000 Japanese-Americans were placed in camps.

61
Q

What was Hitler’s “Final Solution”?

A

By 1941, Hitler had devised plans for his “Final Solution” — extermination of all Jews in Europe. At Polish death camps, 6 million Jews were systematically murdered.

62
Q

What was the United Nations?

A

The United Nations was created by the Allies following World War II. There was a security council that was composed of 5 permanent members (US, GB, USSR, France, and China) and 6 rotating members. A unanimous (everyone agrees) vote was required in order to make a decision.

63
Q

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A

The Truman Doctrine was President Truman’s foreign policy. He split all people of the world into two categories: free people and enslaved people. In reality, capitalists were what he called free and communists were what he called enslaved. It forced U.S. commitment of economic, financial, and (if necessary) military aid to countries threatened by “armed minorities or outside pressures” (Communist revolutions). This ideology was applied successfully in Greece and Turkey, where 400 million dollars was allocated.

64
Q

What is the Domino Theory?

A

The Domino Theory states that one country coming under communist rule will lead surrounding countries to eventually be controlled by communists themselves.

65
Q

What was the Marshall Plan?

A

The Marshall Plan provided $13B in aid to Europe after it was torn apart by World War II. 16 nations were helped by this plan but the USSR and its satellites rejected the money because it gave money to a grave enemy (Germany), it made them look weak to accept money from a capitalist country, and because the USSR theorized that this plan was an attempt to make them lose interest in their surrounding satellite states.

66
Q

What were some military alliances to result from World War II?

A

NATO is a the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In response to this, the Soviet Union formed the Warsaw Pact and forced all of their puppet governments to join alongside them.

67
Q

Why was Germany divided by the Berlin Wall?

A

Following Nazi Germany’s defeat, the Allies occupied Germany and divided the country in two.

68
Q

What was the Berlin Airlift?

A

Stalin wanted to cut food supplies coming into Germany so he could achieve control of Berlin. Thus, he claimed that the roads and railroads that feed them were under repair and could not be used. The U.S. responded by airlifting them food.

69
Q

What was China’s role in the Cold War?

A

At the time, Chinese communists were led by Mao Zedong. Nationalists fled to Taiwan but China still considers them and their island to be Chinese. Mao later signed a treaty with the Soviet Union and they became Allies.

70
Q

What happened during the Korean War?

A

After World War II, Korea was divide into two, North and South, at the 38th parallel. In 1950, North Korean forces invade South Korea and the United Nations sends a multinational force as response. President Eisenhower asserted the Domino Theory. The United Nations never declared war and instead referred to their move as a “police action”. 54,000 American were killed and over 2 million Koreans were killed.

71
Q

How did Fidel Castro come to power?

A

Fidel Castro, later claiming to be a Marxist-Leninist, overthrows President Fulgencio Batista. He would subsequently accept Soviet aid.

72
Q

What happened at the Bay of Pigs?

A

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy authorized a clandestine (secret) invasion of the Bay of Pigs in Cuba. The CIA transported anti-Castro Cubans to U.S. land. Air support never arrived and the military operation failed.

73
Q

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

A

In 1962, the U.S. learned that Soviets were deploying nuclear weapons in Cuba. The U.S. was able to have them removed but the Soviets still had their way because their goal was to just get the missiles out of Turkey.

74
Q
What contributions did the United States make to the war? Was the United States contribution essential?
[Warning - Apparently Dr. Tudela will remove 5 points if you only use class info. He wants you to do your own research]
A

First, the U.S. made several contributions of supplies to other Allied powers. For example, The Cash and Carry Policy of 1939. was the improvement to the Neutrality Acts. Now, Allied ships could come to the U.S. to drop off cash and they would carry their newly purchased weapons away. Another example of this was the Lend Lease Act of 1940 that authorized the president to transfer arms or any other defense materials for which Congress appropriated money to “the government of any country whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States.” Next, the U.S. made an essential contribution with their sheer number of troops. In World War II, the U.S. provided 16 million troops. Finally, the U.S. made a variety of political contributions. In attempt to unite and work together, the U.S. was able to make relations with Britain. During World War II, FDR and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill held several personal conferences, such as the Atlantic Charter. Additionally, the U.S. was preparing for war before they even declared war.

75
Q

Why were Nazi Germany’s blitzkrieg tactics so successful during the onset of WWII? [Warning - Apparently Dr. Tudela will remove 5 points if you only use class info. He wants you to do your own research]

A

First, the Blitzkrieg Tactic was successful because of Germany’s speed. Germany was consistently able to mobilize quickly. Fast-moving tanks and motorized vehicles enabled excellent troop transport. These vehicles were used in the latter stages of the Blitzkrieg Tactic. In fact, the word Blitzkrieg means “lightning war”. Next, the Blitzkrieg Tactic caught Germany’s enemies off guard. The element of surprise, along with the previously mentioned speed, is an essential component of the tactic. The Luftwaffe (German Air Force) would “soften” its targets with a plethora of bombs dropped from above. Finally, the Blitzkrieg Tactic was successful because numbers lead to success. Germany used over 2,000 tanks and over 1,000 planes.

76
Q

How could the Holocaust have been prevented? [Warning - Apparently Dr. Tudela will remove 5 points if you only use class info. He wants you to do your own research]

A

First, the Allies could have tried to play a larger role in patrolling Hitler’s actions by being more involved in German affairs. The Allies probably should have intervened and put their foot down following the reoccupation of the Rhineland and annexation of parts of Czechoslovakia. This potential action most likely would have prevented Hitler from invading Poland. Additionally, the Treaty of Versailles should have been enforced. (Especially the part that limited Germany’s military, which Hitler defied) Next, the Holocaust could have been prevented if the hyper inflation had been taken care of faster. Around the time of Hitler’s rise, money was basically worthless and wheelbarrows full of money were required to purchase even the simplest of items. The German people were in trauma as a result and were, thus, willing to turn to Hitler’s extreme ideas. One way that hyperinflation can be, at least partially, overcome is by a fixed exchange rate. For example, a bank is obligated to exchange the local currency for the reserve currency at a fixed ratio. Finally, anti-semitism needed to be shut down. This ideology of hatred is incredibly harmful as it, not dissimilar to other hateful ideologies, consistently results in violence. An obvious example of this is Hitler’s actions in World War II. However, it is not alone. The Anti-Defamation League found 541 reports of violence, vandalism, or physical harassment anti-Semitic acts as of late April 2017. The CEO of the league believes that the numbers are accelerating.