Exam 3 Flashcards
(22 cards)
Benito Mussolini
Gained power in Italy in the 1920’s and was the leader of the national fascist party. Founder of Italian fascism.
After three years he went from ruling constitutionally to setting up a legal dictatorship. Used terror and violence to run the country the way he wanted
Adolf Hitler
Born in Austria, he was a struggling artist
Fought in WWI - started in medical and rose to corporal
He was a strong public speaker who ended up convincing German Parliament to hand over all power of Germany to him
Mein Kampf
“My struggle”
Hitler’s autobiography that he wrote while he was imprisoned for political crimes.
Contains a conspiracy to gain world leadership and describes and increasingly anti semantic and militaristic person he was becoming.
Invasion of Poland
Also known as the September campaign of 1939
Germany invaded Poland from the north, south, and west while the Soviet Union invaded from the east.
Lend-Lease Policy
Once Roosevelt was re-elected for a third presidential term, he passed this policy that allowed the US to loan military equipment to nations that were fighting against Germany.
Atlantic Charter
Joint declaration released by president FDR and British prime minister Winston Churchill in 1941.
Provided a broad statement of US and British goals for the post world war consisting of no territorial gains were to be sough by either country
Pearl Harbor
Roosevelt froze US assists and imposes embargo. The Japanese economy and navy depending on US oil so this was an issue
Led general Tojo to attack Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941
Bataan Death March
Known as the forcible transfer of US soldiers by the Japanese army.
Three months following the battle of Bataan soldiers were forced to match over 60 miles to a new camp.
Subject to harsh treatment and thousands died due to overheating, starvation, and wanton killings by Japanese soldiers.
Douglas MacArthur
He was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine army.
He commanded the southwest pacific during WWII and oversaw the successful allied occupation of postwar Japan and led the united forces in the Korean War.
He played a prominent role in the Pacific Theater.
Competing War Strategies
Known as operation unthinkable regarding the plans of a conflict between western allies and the Soviet Union. Had to choose between the two plans
Soviet Plan: more expedient war with large army and heavy artillery. (Offensive operation)
British Plan: better ties with strongest ally (defensive operation)
George S Patton
Lead the US third army following the allied invasion of Normandy where he lead a highly successful rapid armored drive across France.
Led the relief of troops during the battle of the bulge and advanced his army into nazi Germany by the end of the war.
D-Day
Known as the designated day: June 6th 1944. Allies created fake armies to hide their actual plans to defeat the Germans in Europe.
Manhattan Project
Was a research development during WWII that produced the first nuclear weapons.
Manhattan was the code name for the project.
The first tests were conducted in New Mexico and about a month later the bombs were used on Japan.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Truman gave Japan and ultimatum to surrender by August 3rd. When they refused, he dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima killing 80k.
Set another ultimatum to surrender by August 8th. When they refused again he dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki killing 100k.
Japanese surrendered following the second bombing.
Joseph Stalin
The leader of the Soviet Union during WWII.
Created the concept of socialism in one country and held the view that socialism must be spread through continuous international revolutions.
Held a nonaggression pact with Germany until Hitler launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union which eventually proved to be unsuccessful.
Checkers Speech
A speech made by republican candidate for VP, Nixon, in which he defended himself against the accusations improperly using funds to reimburse him for his political expenses.
The speech got the name because he said he intended to keep one gift, his dog named checkers that his kids had names.
Marshall Plan
Was a US initiative to give economic support to help rebuild Western European economies and to antagonize the Soviet Union after the end of WWII
Signed in 1948 and granted 5 billion in aide to 16 European nations. During the four years the US donated 13 billion in economical assistance
Korean War / 38th Parallel
The division of Korea between the north and south was the result of the allied victory in WEII.
The US and Soviet Union occupied the country with the boundary between their zones along the 38th parallel.
The US occupied South of the 38th parallel.
3 C’s of 1950’s
The culture of the 1950’s
Consumerism - economic boom after WWII with introduction to credit
Conformity - new music (rock n roll), women wanted to work instead of being housewives,
Communism - fears of internal communist subversion escalated causing the postwar Red Scare
Baby Boomers
The demographic group born during the post WWII baby boom between the years of 1946 and 1964.
Annual births increased to over 4 million once the world war had ended.
Jonas Salk
He was an American medics researcher who discovered and developed the first successful polio vaccine in 1955.
Over 58k cases during the 1952 epidemic.
Levittowns
After WWII these towns were built for returning veterans and their families.
Production was modeled in an assembly line manner and thousands of similar or identical
Homes were produced rapidly
