Unit 4: WWII

Question 1

What is a blitzkrieg?

Answer 1

-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

Question 2

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

Answer 2

an agreement between Nazi Germany and Russia (USSR) to avoid conflict and not attack each other, instead working together to attack Poland

Question 3

Describe the invasion of Poland.

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Describe the miracle at Dunkirk

Answer 4

1. 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

Question 5

Describe the Battle of Britain

Answer 5

2. 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)

Question 6

Describe Operation Barbarossa

Answer 6

3. 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

Question 7

What grudges did the Japanese hold against the US? (4)

Answer 7

• 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 (due to racial prejudice from Western Powers
• Trade Embargo: to punish/slow down japanese agression, the US cuts off exports and tells the world to do the same (oil specifically)

Question 8

Describe the attack on Pearl Harbour

Answer 8

• On December 7, 1941, Jana 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)

Question 9

What was Japan trying to accomplish in the Pacific Theatre?

Answer 9

• wanted to create a “Co-Prosperity Sphere” - expanding the empire so that Asian people wouldn’t be under the control of other countries

Question 10

How did the Japanese treat their POWS? Why?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Describe the battle for Hong Kong

Answer 11

• Canadians experience their first WW2 battle in Hong Kong
• They lose to the Japanese, and many are held in terrible conditions as POWs