Unit 4: WWII Flashcards
(28 cards)
1
Q
What is a blitzkrieg?
A
-It means a “lightning war”
-opposite of a stalemate/trench warfare
-1. identify weak point
2. Luftwaffe - bombing raids
3. Panzer (tank) divisions
4. Infantry moves in
2
Q
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
A
an agreement between Nazi Germany and Russia (USSR) to avoid conflict and not attack each other, instead working together to attack Poland
3
Q
Describe the invasion of Poland.
A
- Hitler’s next goal is to achieve “lebensraum” (living space for the Germans)
- On September 1, 1939, Hitler sent a giant Blitzkrieg attack of 1 million soldiers to attack Poland
- Russia attacks from the east (Nazi-Soviet pact)
- Poland is split up between Russia and Germany after just 4 weeks of fighting
4
Q
Describe the miracle at Dunkirk
A
- Miracle at Dunkirk
- On May 12, 1940, Hitler attacks France, taking Allied forces by surprise
- the British and French forces retreated to Dunkirk beach (they were trapped)
- Hitler orders troops to halt (most likely spooked - it seemed too easy)
- this was a mistake, and civillian ships from Britain were able to rescue the soldiers and escape across the English Channel
5
Q
Describe the Battle of Britain
A
- Battle of Britain/Blitz on London
- After capturing France, Germany sets its sights on Great Britain
- Hitler sends Luftwaffe attacks in order to weaken the British navy and carry out a Blitzkrieg
- they destroy British plane/ship factories, railways, and ship ports, and were weeks away from bombing Britain into surrender, when Germany “accidentally” bombs London
- to retaliate Winston Churchill (British PM) starts bombing German cities - Hitler is furious, and starts bombing British cities/civilian targets
- by not finishing off the job of destroying Britain’s airfields and factories, Britain was able to increase airplane production and keep fighting, forcing Hitler to surrender (Hitler’s first defeat)
6
Q
Describe Operation Barbarossa
A
- Operation Barbarosa
- After Britain, Hitler sets his sights on Russia, betraying the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
- He believed that the attach would be easy and fast, so set a Blitzkrieg on Russia on june 22, 1941, sending 3 million troops
- He used a three pronged attack: Army groups North, Central, and South, all focusing on different targets
- at the start it was initially successful, capturing both huge areas of land and Soviet POWS
- however, Hitler forgot about Russian history, and underestimated how big Russia is
- As the Russians retreated, they burned crops and shelters so invaders couldn’t use them, and the brutal Russian winter caused the tanks and jeeps to become frozen solid, and food and supplies grew scarce
- The Russians did not surrender - they mobilized and attacked the Nazi army in warm uniforms and heated tanks, and fought incredibly hard (Russians knew it was an existential threat - the nazis hated them)
- Battle of Stalingrad was the turning point - Nazi Generals surrender, and Hitler pulls out of Russia in january 1943
7
Q
What grudges did the Japanese hold against the US?
A
- The Black Ships, 1853-1854: the US kicked open the doors to japanese trade (gunboat diplomacy), and Westernizes them by force (humiliating)
- Russo-Japanese war, 1904 1905: first time an Asian power beat a European one in a modern war, but the US mediates peace talks - Japan ultimately gets no money and little territory.
- WW1 embarrassment: fought with the Allies, but gained little from the Treaty of Verasailles
- Trade Embargo: to punish/slow down Japanese aggression, the US cuts off exports and tells the world to do the same (oil specifically)
8
Q
Describe the attack on Pearl Harbour
A
- On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on pearl Harbour (military base in Hawaii)
- it was assumed that the attacking planes were friendly, but soon there were thousands of casualties
- caused the US to end to end its isolationism policy: joins the war the next day (December 8)
9
Q
What was Japan trying to accomplish in the Pacific Theatre?
A
- wanted to create a “Co-Prosperity Sphere” - expanding the empire so that Asian people wouldn’t be under the control of other countries
10
Q
How did the Japanese treat their POWS? Why?
A
- The Japanese treated the POWs harshly, and viewed them as “dishonourable” because of the Samurai code
- Defeat is seen as the ultimate humiliation and suicide is preferred over dishonour or shame
- All those who demonstrate weakness deserve harsh treatment
11
Q
Describe the battle for Hong Kong
A
- Canadians experience their first WW2 battle in Hong Kong
- They lose to the Japanese, and many are held in terrible conditions as POWs
12
Q
How were the Japanese discriminated against in Canada?
A
- even before WW2, Japanese-Canadians were discriminated against through laws prohibiting them from working in mines, voting, and working on government-funded projects
- Attack on Pearl Harbour made it worse - distrust and suspicion
13
Q
Describe the Internment of Japanese-Canadians (5)
A
- over 90% were forcibly relocated and incarcerated in BC in the name of “national security”
- Canadian government invoked the War Measures Act, and declared japanese-Canadians as enemy aliens (even though most were Canadian citizens or long-time residents)
- most were sent to internment camps and farms in BC
- conditions in the camps were overcrowded and unsanitary, with no running water or electricity
- internment included the theft, seizure and sale of property
14
Q
Describe the disaster at Dieppe
A
- planned as a small “hit and run” by Churchill on the coast of German-occupied France
- a chance to test how well-defended the coast of France was, and prove to Stalin that the Allies want to help him
- 5,000 Canadians were sent to attack the port of Dieppe in the early hours of August 19, 1942
- the raid fails, ending in carnage: German ships open fire, and when the Canadian troops reach the beaches, they are caught in a crossfire between German ships and guns on the beach; Canada suffers many, many casualties (901 killed, 2000 captured)
15
Q
What important info is gained from the disaster at Dieppe?
A
- The Allies now knew that the Germans were ready for any attacks, so any future attacks on France would have to be massive and well-planned (like D-Day)
- the invasion would have to be a surprise, would need support from battleships, have air cover, and use a large number of troops
16
Q
Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?
A
- the first African-American military aviators in the US Air Force
- served during WW2, included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and maintenance staff
- proved to be highly skilled and courageous despite racial discrimination
17
Q
Describe D-Day (4)
A
- On June 6, 1944, Allied forces invaded Normandy (German-occupied France), landing on 5 beaches along the coastline: Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold and Sword
- Canadians landed on Juno beach, and were the only Allied Force to meet D-Day objective (secure beach, push inland, capture town and link up with British forces)
- Despite facing fierce resistance, and heavy casualties, Allied forces successfully secured the beaches
- marked the beginning of the end for the Nazis in Europe
18
Q
How did the “Tide turn” against Germany in May 1943? (4)
A
- 41 German U-Boats were sunk (due to the British improving the convoy system by adding sonar to their warships, plus added air power)
- Allies defeat the Germans and Italians in North Africa
- The US defeats the Japanese at the Battle of Midway in the Pacific Ocean
- Russians win the Battle of Stalingrad against Germans
19
Q
What was the Holocaust?
A
The organized murder of at least 6 million European Jews by the Nazis during World War 2. It was the largest genocide in history
20
Q
What methods did the Nazis use to control and force the Jews into ghettos?
A
Deception, starvation and terror
21
Q
Who were the Einsatzgruppen?
A
Specially trained SS killing groups
22
Q
What was Auschwitz?
A
The largest death camp where 9,000 Jews could be gassed and cremated a day
23
Q
What were the Nuremberg Trials?
A
Trials where the Axis leaders were tried for crimes against humanity, which included deportation, enslavement, murder, extermination etc
- many top Nazis received death sentences, while others were imprisioned
24
Q
Describe the liberation of the Netherlands (3)
A
- took place between 1944 and 1945, with Canadian forces playing a crucial role
- fought challenging conditions (difficult terrain and well-fortified German defences)
- the liberation brought relief to the Dutch people, and they still honour and remember the Canadian soldiers for their bravery and sacrifices
25
What was V-E day?
- Victory in Europe Day (May 8, 1945)
- on this day, Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies, which followed the suicide of Hitler on April 30, 1945, and the rapid collapse of the Nazi army
- there were crowds and celebrations on this day across Europe and North America
- However, fighting continued in the Pacific until August 1945
26
What was the Nemmersdorf Massacre?
- Soviet forces briefly captured the village of Nemmersdorf in East Prussia, and civilians were severely abused and executed
- German propaganda used the event to portray the Soviets as barbaric, inciting fear and resistance among German civilians
27
Describe the bombing of Dresden
- A controversial Allied (Brit and American) bombing on the German city of Dresdin in February 1945, known for its cultural and architectural significance
- critics accuse it of being unnessesary, and remains a subject of historical debate over the this of wartime bombing
28
Describe the Battle of the Bulge
- the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front: Dec 16, 1944- Jan 25, 1945
- took place through the Ardennes region between Belgium and Luxembourg
- the US and UK vs Germany
- the Allies won the Battle, with high casualties on both sides, but was an important turning point in the war
