Dual Credit Spring Final Exam Flashcards
(23 cards)
held in February 1945, was a meeting between Allied leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin to plan the final defeat of Nazi Germany and discuss post-war Europe. They agreed on dividing Germany into occupation zones, the formation of the United Nations, and holding free elections in Eastern Europe—though Stalin’s interpretation of “free elections” led to Soviet control over much of the region. The conference sowed seeds of tension that would later contribute to the Cold War.
Yalta Conference
passed by the U.S. in 1941, allowed the President to send military aid to Allied nations during World War II without requiring immediate payment. It marked a shift from U.S. neutrality, helping countries like Britain, the Soviet Union, and China fight Axis powers. The act significantly boosted Allied war efforts and U.S. industrial production, strengthening ties between the U.S. and its allies.
The Lend-Lease Act
was a top-secret U.S. government research program during World War II that developed the first atomic bombs. It brought together scientists from across the country, including figures like J. Robert Oppenheimer, and tested the first bomb in New Mexico in July 1945. The project led to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which contributed to Japan’s surrender and the end of the war.
The Manhattan Project
fought in June 1942, was a turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the United States and Japan. U.S. forces, using codebreaking intelligence, surprised and defeated the Japanese navy by sinking four of its aircraft carriers. This major victory weakened Japan’s naval power and shifted the momentum of the war in favor of the Allies. (Most important naval battle of WW2)
The Battle of Midway
Battle on the eastern front between the Germans and the Soviets, was the turning point and resulted in German Retreat.
The Battle of the Bulge
was a major World War II conflict between the United States and Japan, lasting from February to March 1945. American forces captured the island after intense and deadly fighting, aiming to secure a strategic base for air operations near Japan. The iconic image of U.S. Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi symbolizes the bravery and sacrifice of the battle.
Iwo Jima
fought from April to June 1945, was the largest and bloodiest battle in the Pacific during World War II. U.S. forces aimed to capture the island as a final staging ground for an invasion of Japan, facing fierce resistance from Japanese troops and widespread civilian casualties. The battle’s heavy toll influenced the U.S. decision to use atomic bombs to end the war.
Okinawa
the code name for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe during World War II, beginning with D-Day on June 6, 1944. Over 156,000 troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, in the largest amphibious invasion in history. The successful campaign marked the turning point in the war, leading to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
Operation Overlord
Meeting between Joseph Stalin, Harry S. Truman and Winston Churchill in Berlin, they talked about how to reconstruct/split up Germany and what to do with other concerned nations. Germany was split between America, France, Britain and the Soviet, also gave Poland a “Free” Election of leaders and how they will run their country.
The Postdam Conference
Leader of the peace negotiations, and beginning of the cold war, he also permitted the droppings of the nuclear weapons on Japan.
Harry S Truman
American Commander on the western front and in the war in Africa, later became president
Dwight D. Eisenhower
The US pledges to help nations against communism causing america to move away from isolationism and towards internationalism
The Truman Doctrine
America gave over 13 billion dollars to Europe to rebuild and prevent Communist progression. The US supplied money and supplied struggling nations in order to prevent them falling to Communism.
The Marshall Plan
Advisers to the president on matters of War, peace, and international activities.
National Security Council
American writer who wrote “The Sources of Soviet Conduct”, which was the first to propose the Idea of “Containment” over communism.
George Kennan
an alliance between Western European nations formed to prevent invasion by the Soviet Union
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Communist revolutionary of China, his revolution won after WW2 and he became the supreme ruler of China. He’s farming pollaces killed millions
Mao Zedong
Leader of the Soviet Union and Lenin, He led the Union during WW2 and throughout the beginning of the Cold War, died in 1953
Joseph Stalin
WW2 general who served on the Pacific front, also led in the Korean War, and when he offered to invade China, he was Honorably Discharged
Douglas MacArthur
was a top-secret U.S. policy document completed in April 1950 that became one of the most important statements of American Cold War policy.
National Security council Paper 68 (NSC-68)
ESSAY: Explain America’s entry into WWII. What factors led up to our involvement? What was
Roosevelt’s policy before and after 1940?
U.S. Neutrality at First:
After WWI, America adopted an isolationist policy (Neutrality Acts of the 1930s).
Many Americans wanted to avoid involvement in another European war.
Rise of Totalitarian Powers:
Nazi Germany (Hitler), Fascist Italy (Mussolini), and Imperial Japan grew aggressive in the 1930s.
Germany invaded Poland (1939), starting WWII in Europe.
Japan invaded Manchuria (1931) and later China (1937).
Economic & Military Support for Allies:
U.S. sympathized with Britain and France.
Passed Lend-Lease Act (1941): gave weapons/supplies to Allies without direct involvement.
Cash-and-Carry policy before that allowed Allies to buy goods if they transported them.
Growing Tensions with Japan:
Japan expanded aggressively in Asia.
U.S. placed oil and trade embargoes on Japan in response.
Japan viewed U.S. as a threat to its dominance in the Pacific.
Pearl Harbor Attack – December 7, 1941:
Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii.
Over 2,400 Americans killed; major damage to Pacific Fleet.
Immediate U.S. Response:
President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it “a date which will live in infamy.”
Congress declared war on Japan (Dec 8, 1941).
Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. shortly after — U.S. joined the Allies in WWII.
ESSAY: What were the Allies’ military strategies before Stalingrad? After Stalingrad? What was the
US military’s strategy in the Pacific? Please reference major battles, political leaders, and
geographic locations.
Allies’ Military Strategies Before Stalingrad
Europe First policy (focus on defeating Germany before Japan)
Defensive early on due to Axis strength
Britain held off Germany in the Battle of Britain (1940)
USSR joined Allies after Germany invaded Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa, 1941)
U.S. entered war after Pearl Harbor (Dec 7, 1941)
Allies launched North Africa Campaign to control Mediterranean (leaders: Eisenhower, Montgomery vs. Rommel)
Goal: weaken Axis in North Africa and prepare to invade Europe from the south
After Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad (Aug 1942–Feb 1943): major turning point in Eastern Front
Soviets (Stalin) defeated Germany (Hitler) — heavy German losses
USSR pushed westward, starting long drive toward Berlin
Western Allies increased bombing of Germany (air raids on cities, factories)
Planning began for D-Day / Operation Overlord (June 6, 1944): invasion of Nazi-occupied France (Normandy)
Goal: open second front in Western Europe
U.S. Strategy in the Pacific
Island-hopping campaign: capture key islands to get closer to Japan
Avoid heavily fortified islands when possible
Key battles:
Battle of Midway (June 1942) – U.S. (led by Admiral Nimitz) sank 4 Japanese carriers; major turning point
Guadalcanal (1942–43) – first major land victory for U.S.
Iwo Jima (Feb 1945) and Okinawa (April 1945) – brutal fighting close to Japan
Leaders: General Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Chester Nimitz
Goal: pressure Japan and prepare for possible invasion of Japanese mainland
War ended after atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Aug 1945), ordered by President Harry Truman
ESSAY: Discuss Truman’s Cold War policies. Please reference influential men in his administration,
programs he approved, and how the US reacted to the potential global threat of communism
spreading from the Soviet and China to other parts of the world.
Truman’s Cold War Policies
Truman Doctrine (1947): U.S. would help countries resist communism (started with Greece and Turkey)
Containment policy: stop the spread of communism, not necessarily roll it back
Influenced by diplomat George Kennan (“Long Telegram”)
Programs Truman Approved
Marshall Plan (1948): gave $13 billion to rebuild Europe to prevent communist influence
NATO (1949): military alliance between U.S., Canada, and Western Europe to defend against Soviet threat
Berlin Airlift (1948–49): U.S. flew supplies into West Berlin after Soviets blockaded it
U.S. Reaction to Communism in Asia
China became communist (1949) under Mao Zedong, major shock to U.S.
U.S. supported Chiang Kai-shek, leader of Chinese nationalists, who fled to Taiwan
Korean War (1950–53): North Korea (backed by China & USSR) invaded South Korea
Truman sent U.S. troops under General MacArthur to help South Korea
Goal: contain communism, not provoke larger war
Truman fired MacArthur for wanting to expand the war into China
