WWII Flashcards
(14 cards)
The leaders of the Axis
Germany: Adolf Hitler
Japan: Emperor Hirohito
Italy: Benito Mussolini
The leaders of the Allies
United States: Franklin Roosevelt; Harry Truman
Canada
Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin
France: Charles de Gaulle
China: Chiang - Kai shek
Britain: Winston Churchill
BCATP
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Many served in the Battle of Britain
Allied Pilots
Dieppe
A series of quick raids across the English Channel by Allies; lasted nine hours
Germans were notified of the impending raid so the launch was delayed to morning
Allied commanders learned some valuable lessons
They changed their military strategy by deciding to launch a massive aerial strike
The invasion would take place at less secure areas along the French coast rather than at heavily defended ports like Dieppe.
The CBC reported this as a big victory to canada were they completed all there goal although it was not
Royal Canadian Navy
Convoy duty and the Battle of the Atlantic
Blitzkrieg
Lightning war
A series of short battles and attacks
Uses trucks, tanks, airplanes
Women’s Contributions
Took on new and different jobs to support Canada’s home front
They worked in aircraft industries and many munitions at the peak of the war
They served in armed forces in non combat roles as nurses, drivers, secretaries, pilots, mechanics, and radio operators
Often credited with being an essential part of the workforce in Canada which supplied the Allies to keep them fighting with Germans and their allies in Europe
D-Day
Largest seaborne invasion in history
Allies were ready to start their long awaited invasion on Europe
Code named: Operation Overlord
Wanted to keep their plans a secret
Their plan was to convince Germany their target was Pal de Calais, but really the invasion was to take place in Normandy.
The Canadians had secured Juno beach which was the only allied force to achieve its goal on the first day
The order of major events throughout WW2
The Rise of Hitler
Steps to War & Appeasement
Early WW2 Battles:
Sitzkreig/Phony War:
The period when France, Britain, and Germany were at war with little fighting against each other. It helped Hitler acquire more land.
Dunkirk:
Within only six weeks, France had fallen to the Germans and it was just Britain against the Axis power.
Battle of Britain:
Canadian pilots joined hundreds of pilots from Britain Royal Air Force. The Blitz is when Germany bombed British cities in order to break the British people’s spirit.
Hitler lost the Battle of Britain which made him postpone his plans for an invasion and refocus his attention on the Soviet Union. This was the first major victory for Allied forces.
It prevented naval invasion against the United Kingdom, by stopping them from achieving air superiority over Britain, boosting morale.
“Never before was so much owed by so many to so few” by Winston Churchill
Battle of the Atlantic:
This was the longest and continuous battle of WW2 and was what worried the Prime Minister the most.
There was a death rate five time higher than that of the Royal Canadian Navy
The black pit was an area in the Atlantic ocean without air cover for convoys where German submarines sank many allied ships causing Britain to only have enough food and supplies for its people for two weeks.
Wolf Packs: German submarines that shot and hunted convoy ships, carrying supplies, in packs of three.
There was only 2 weeks of supplies left
War in the Pacific:
Black Christmas: When Japense soldiers set fire to buildings, some raped and murdered women, killed and torutured the Allied soldiers and civillians.
Canadians were prisoners in war camps. They were barely alive and were starved. Many were tortured and laboured. 267 Canadians died in these camps
After 17 days of defending the colony, the British commander surrendered on Christmas day 1941.
War on the Eastern Front:
Germany and Italy ally with Japan
Hitler blitzkrieg attacks Russia for resources (mainly oil)
Stalin insites the Allies do something to help by invading France (Dieppe)
This is a turning point in the war
Dieppe Raid:
A series of quick raids across the English Channel by Allies; lasted nine hours
Germans were notified of the impending raid so the launch was delayed to morning
Allied commanders learned some valuable lessons
They decided to push back a full scale invasion to regain control of Europe from 1943 to 1944
They changed their military strategy by deciding to launch a massive aerial strike
The invasion would take place at less secure areas along the French coast rather than at heavily defended ports like Dieppe.
The CBC reported this as a big victory to canada were they completed all there goal although it was not
Rationing
To ensure resources were available for wartime production, Howe established the Wartime Prices and Trade Board to control prices and prevent inflation.
Everybody was issued a ration card to buy gas, sugar, meat, tea, and other essentials
The cards limited the amount of goods people could buy
Ensured everyone got their fair share
People needed special permits to buy cars, appliances, rubber tires, and other products
Hitlers Rise to Power
Hitler became Chancellor: The depression after the Wall Street Crash made many more people vote for the Nazis. In January 1933 Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that Hitler should become Chancellor.
The Reichstag Fire: Building burnt down in February 1933 and a communist was found inside the building; He admitted responsibility. Hitler was able to convince people that the Communists were trying to take power by terroism; banning Communists from the Reichstag
The Enabling Act: Gave Hitler the power to make his own laws (Banned all other political parties) “Hitler can rule alone for four years. There is no need to consult the Reichstag”; Political prisoners are put in concentration camps run by S.S
The Night of the Long Knives: Wanted to arrest all leaders that may have competed for competition with Hitler; Hitler had to get rid of Rohm as he was too much of a threat. Hitlers S.S killed over 1000 S.A members including Rohm and the army were pleased; Hitler had gained the support of the army
Death of President Hindenburg: Gave Hitler the opportunity to combine the role of Chancellor and president. He called himself the “Der Fuhrer”
Oath of Loyalty: Every soldier swore a personal oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler
Kristallnacht
Night of Broken Glass
Polish jewish student shot and killed German diplomat
S.A were ordered to get revenge on Jewish communities by Hitler
Business were destroyed and synagogues were burned
Nuremberg Laws
Jews had to wear a yellow Star of David.
Banned from being doctors, lawyers, teachers, government employees, or university students.
Lost the right to vote and lost German citizenship.
St. Louis
Jews fled Germany aboard St .Louis for Cuba; turned away
They turned to Canada and The United States; not accepting Jews at the time
Returned to Europe where they were given homes
