WW2 The origins

Question 1

Which 3 countries composed the Axis Powers?

Answer 1

Germany, Italy & Japan

Question 2

Who were considered to be The Big 3?

Answer 2

FDR (U.S), Winston Churchill (G.B) & Joseph Stalin

Question 3

Who were the dictators of WW2?

Answer 3

Mussolini (Italy), Hitler (Nazi Germany), Stalin (Soviet Union) & Militarists ( Hideki Tojo) Japan

Question 4

Describe the “cash & carry” policy created by the U.S.

Answer 4

Countries in a war could purchase arms & ammunition from the U.S. These countries would have to use their own ships to transport the goods.

Question 5

In 1940, the Selective Service act created the 3rd. draft in U.S history. What was this draft different from the other 2?

Answer 5

This draft was passed during peacetime, to assure that if needed the U.s would have enough troops to fight a war.

Question 6

Define the German word “blitzkrieg?

Answer 6

Lightning war, employed by the Germans in their attacks against Poland & France ;ensure a quick defeat

Question 7

Explain the lend-lease act.

Answer 7

Allowed Great Britain to buy arms on credit

Question 8

How was WW2 financed in the U.S?

Answer 8

1. Through an Income tax, for the 1st time every working American was taxed on their income. The first income tax previously was just a tax on the rich or very high income earners. But now no one was exempt.
2. through also a massive war bond effort

Question 9

What was the “Rape of Nanking” or the “ Nanking massacre” ?

Answer 9

This occurred when the Japanese had invaded China & their armies swept through the Chinese province killing 300,000 residents.

Question 10

Define Anschluss

Answer 10

Unification of Austria & Germany

Question 11

How did post war conditions contribute to the rise of dictatorships in Europe?

Answer 11

There was an economic depression with rising unemployment & continuing the social unrest, dictators capitalized on those feelings & took control of their governments.

Question 12

Describe the result of the Munich conference that occurred on Sept. 29th 1938.

Answer 12

Both France & Britain agreed to Hitler’s demands so as to avoid war; this policy was called “appeasement”

Question 13

What occurred when Hitler demanded the city of Danzig in Poland?

Answer 13

Poland refused to give it up and Hitler prepared to invade Poland.

Question 14

How did Britain & France respond to Poland & its issue with Hitler (Germany)?

Answer 14

Britain & France agreed to support Poland if they went to war against Germany.

Question 15

Why did Hitler (Germany) sign a non aggression pact with the Soviets?

Answer 15

He did not want to fight the Soviet Union on one side while fighting Britain & France on the other. It would be fighting a war on 2 fronts.

Question 16

How did WW2 begin?

Answer 16

Germany invaded Poland; France & Great Britain declared war on Germany.

Question 17

What did Hitler claim about the German people in his book Mein Kampf.

Answer 17

He claimed that Germans especially blond, blue-eyed Germans belonged to a master race called “Aryans”