WWII Exam

Question 1

Treaty of Versailles

Answer 1

The 1919 peace treaty that ended WWI, imposing heavy reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions on Germany. Its harsh terms fueled German resentment, contributing to the rise of Hitler and WWII.

Question 2

Adolf Hitler

Answer 2

Leader of Nazi Germany (1933–1945), who initiated WWII by invading Poland in 1939. He implemented the Holocaust, led aggressive military expansion, and ultimately died in 1945 as Germany faced defeat.

Question 3

Rhineland

Answer 3

A demilitarized region of Germany per the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler violated the treaty by remilitarizing it in 1936, testing Allied resolve and marking a key step toward WWII.

Question 4

Luftwaffe

Answer 4

The German Air Force during WWII, key to Blitzkrieg tactics. It played a major role in early German victories but was weakened by Allied air superiority later in the war.

Question 5

Benito Mussolini

Answer 5

Fascist dictator of Italy (1922–1943) and Hitler’s ally in WWII. He led Italy into the war but was overthrown in 1943 and executed in 1945.

Question 6

Francisco Franco

Answer 6

Fascist dictator of Spain (1939–1975). Though he stayed neutral in WWII, he sympathized with Hitler and Mussolini, providing some support to the Axis Powers.

Question 7

Vichy France

Answer 7

The German-controlled French government (1940–1944), led by Marshal Pétain. It cooperated with Nazi Germany while the Free French, led by Charles de Gaulle, opposed it.

Question 8

Spitfire

Answer 8

A fast and agile British fighter plane crucial in the Battle of Britain (1940). It helped the Royal Air Force (RAF) defeat the German Luftwaffe and secure air superiority.

Question 9

Edouard Daladier

Answer 9

Prime Minister of France (1938–1940) who signed the Munich Agreement, allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland. He led France at the start of WWII but was removed after the German invasion.

Question 10

Blitzkrieg

Answer 10

A German military strategy used in WWII, meaning “lightning war.” It focused on rapid, coordinated attacks using infantry, tanks, and air support to quickly overwhelm and defeat enemies.

Question 11

Ardennes Forest

Answer 11

A dense forest region in Belgium and France. It was the site of a surprise German invasion in 1940, bypassing the Maginot Line and leading to the rapid fall of France.

Question 12

Stukas

Answer 12

German dive bombers used in WWII, known for their precision bombing and distinctive wailing sirens. They played a key role in Blitzkrieg tactics, especially during early German victories.

Question 13

Philippe Petain

Answer 13

Leader of Vichy France during WWII and a former French military hero. He collaborated with Nazi Germany after France’s defeat in 1940 and was later convicted of treason.

Question 13

London Blitz

Answer 13

A period of intense German bombing raids on London and other British cities from 1940 to 1941. It aimed to break British morale but ultimately failed, as Britain continued to resist Nazi invasion.

Question 14

King Carol

Answer 14

King of Romania (1930–1940) who initially pursued a pro-German policy during WWII. He abdicated in 1940 after political turmoil and was succeeded by his son, Michael I.

Question 15

Mediterranean Strategy

Answer 15

Allied strategy focusing on controlling the Mediterranean to weaken Axis forces, secure supply routes, and invade Italy. Key campaigns included North Africa (1940–43), Sicily (1943), and Italy (1943–45)

Question 16

Commissar Order

Answer 16

Nazi directive ordering the execution of Soviet political commissars captured by German forces. It violated international law and contributed to war crimes on the Eastern Front.

Question 17

Great Purges

Answer 17

Stalin’s campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union, targeting perceived enemies through executions, gulags, and show trials. Weakened the Red Army before WWII.

Question 18

Marshal von Brauchitsch

Answer 18

German Field Marshal and Commander-in-Chief of the German Army (1938–1941). Led early WWII campaigns but was dismissed by Hitler after failures in the Soviet invasion.

Question 19

Chain Home System

Answer 19

Britain’s early radar network used to detect and track enemy aircraft during WWII, crucial in the Battle of Britain (1940) for early warning and air defense.

Question 20

Nanking Safety Zone

Answer 20

A demilitarized area in Nanking, China, established by Westerners to protect civilians during the Nanking Massacre. It sheltered thousands from Japanese atrocities.

Question 21

Southern Resources Area

Answer 21

Japanese term for Southeast Asia, rich in oil, rubber, and tin. Japan seized it in 1941–42 to fuel its war effort after Western embargoes.

Question 22

Tripartite Pact

Answer 22

Alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan, pledging mutual support and prevent the U.S. from entering WWII. Formed the Axis Powers.

Question 23

Winter War

Answer 23

Conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland during Soviet invasion. Despite heavy resistance, Finland gave up territory in the Moscow Peace Treaty but maintained independence.

Question 24

Rome-Berlin Axis

Answer 24

Political and military alliance between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, forming the foundation of the Axis Powers in WWII.

Question 25

Joseph Stalin

Answer 25

Leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death. Known for his totalitarian rule, purges, and significant role in WWII, including the defeat of Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.

Question 26

Sudetenland

Answer 26

Region of Czechoslovakia with a large ethnic German population, annexed by Nazi Germany after the Munich Agreement. Its occupation was a key step in Hitler's expansionist policies.

Question 27

Danzig

Answer 27

Free city and port in Poland, claimed by Nazi Germany as part of its expansionist goals. Its demand for return was a major factor in triggering the start of WWII.

Question 28

Nazi-Soviet non-aggression Pact

Answer 28

Agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, ensuring neither would attack the other. It included a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, leading to the invasion of Poland.

Question 29

Lebensraum

Answer 29

Nazi policy aiming to expand German territory, particularly in Eastern Europe, to provide living space for the German people. This ideology was a key justification for the invasion of Poland and the Soviet Union.

Question 30

Panzer

Answer 30

German term for armored tanks, used prominently by the Wehrmacht in WWII. Panzer divisions were key to Nazi Germany's blitzkrieg tactics.

Question 31

Phony War

Answer 31

Period of limited military action between the Allies and Germany after the invasion of Poland, marked by a lack of significant fighting on the Western Front before the Battle of France.

Question 32

Paul Reynaud

Answer 32

Prime Minister of France at the start of WWII. Led France during the early stages of the war but resigned after the German invasion in 1940, shortly before France's surrender.

Question 33

Schlieffen Plan

Answer 33

German military strategy for a two-front war, aimed at quickly defeating France by advancing through Belgium, then focusing on Russia. It was partially implemented during WWI and influenced Germany's tactics in WWII.

Question 34

Rotterdam

Answer 34

Dutch city bombed by Nazi Germany during the Battle of the Netherlands. The bombing led to the city's surrender and marked a key moment in Germany's rapid advance through Western Europe.

Question 35

Dunkirk

Answer 35

French port where the Allied forces were evacuated during the Battle of France. The evacuation (Operation Dynamo) saved over 330,000 British and French troops, despite being surrounded by German forces.

Question 36

Operation Sea Lion

Answer 36

Nazi Germany's planned invasion of Britain, which never occurred. It involved a German naval and air assault, but was delayed and ultimately canceled due to the failure to gain air superiority in the Battle of Britain.

Question 37

2nd Vienna Award

Answer 37

Agreement that resulted in Hungary gaining territories from Romania, including Northern Transylvania, following pressure from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

Question 38

Ion Antonescu

Answer 38

Romanian military leader and dictator during WWII. Allied with Nazi Germany, he led Romania into the war against the Soviet Union and was responsible for the persecution of Jews and other minorities.

Question 39

Operation Barbarossa

Answer 39

Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, marking the largest military operation in history. It aimed to conquer Soviet territory but ultimately failed, leading to a prolonged war on the Eastern Front.

Question 40

Smolensk

Answer 40

City in western Soviet Union, the site of a major battle during Operation Barbarossa. German forces encircled Soviet troops, but the Soviets managed a costly retreat, delaying German advances toward Moscow.

Question 41

Georgi Zhukov

Answer 41

Soviet Marshal and key military leader during WWII. He played a pivotal role in major victories, including the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Berlin, contributing significantly to the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Question 42

No Retreat Order

Answer 42

Soviet directive issued during the early stages of WWII, particularly under Stalin, prohibiting Soviet forces from retreating in the face of German advances, leading to heavy casualties and strategic losses.

Question 43

Rape of Nanking

Answer 43

A brutal mass atrocity committed by Japanese troops in the Chinese city of Nanking, involving widespread murder, rape, and torture of civilians and prisoners of war during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Question 44

Chiang Kai Shek

Answer 44

Leader of the Republic of China and head of the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) during WWII. He led China’s resistance against Japanese invasion and later fought against Communist forces in the Chinese Civil War.

Question 45

Prince Konoye

Answer 45

Japanese Prime Minister during the lead-up to WWII, serving from 1937 to 1939 and briefly in 1940. He played a key role in Japan's expansionist policies and sought diplomatic solutions before Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Question 46

Burma Road

Answer 46

A vital supply route connecting Burma (now Myanmar) to China, used by the Allies to transport supplies to the Chinese Nationalist forces resisting Japanese invasion. It was cut off by Japanese forces in 1942.

Question 47

Einsatzgruppen

Answer 47

Nazi mobile death squads responsible for mass shootings and extermination of Jews, Roma, and other targeted groups in Eastern Europe, particularly during the invasion of the Soviet Union.

Question 48

Anti-Comintern Pact

Answer 48

Agreement between Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, later joined by Italy, aimed at opposing the spread of communism, particularly from the Soviet Union. It laid the groundwork for the Axis Powers.

Question 49

Popular Front

Answer 49

A political alliance in France and other countries, uniting left-wing groups (socialists, communists, and radicals) to resist fascism and promote social reforms. In France, it led to the election of the Blum government in 1936.

Question 50

Neville Chamberlain

Answer 50

British Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940, best known for his policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany, including the Munich Agreement. Resigned after Britain declared war on Germany in 1939.

Question 51

Hossbach Memorandum

Answer 51

A document summarizing a meeting between Adolf Hitler and senior Nazi officials, outlining Germany's aggressive expansionist plans and the eventual path to WWII, including the invasion of Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Question 52

Battle of Britain

Answer 52

Aerial conflict between the German Luftwaffe and the British Royal Air Force over Britain. The RAF's successful defense prevented a German invasion and marked the first major defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII.

Question 53

Maginot Line

Answer 53

A series of fortified defense structures built by France along its border with Germany. It failed to prevent the German invasion in 1940, as German forces bypassed it by invading through Belgium.

Question 54

RAF (Royal Air Force)

Answer 54

The air force of the United Kingdom, established in 1918. During WWII, the RAF played a crucial role in defending Britain, notably during the Battle of Britain, and in strategic bombing campaigns against Germany.

Question 55

Narvik

Answer 55

Norwegian port city captured by German forces during WWII to secure iron ore supplies. It was the site of a significant Allied counteroffensive, but German forces eventually retained control after intense fighting.

Question 56

Winston Churchill

Answer 56

British Prime Minister during WWII (1940–1945), known for his leadership, inspiring speeches, and determination in resisting Nazi Germany. He played a key role in forging Allied strategy and securing victory.

Question 57

Erich von Manstein

Answer 57

German Field Marshal during WWII, known for his strategic brilliance. He played a key role in the successful invasions of France and the Soviet Union, and was involved in the defense of Germany later in the war.

Question 58

Heinz Guderian

Answer 58

German General and pioneer of blitzkrieg tactics during WWII. Known for his role in the rapid victories in Poland, France, and the Soviet Union, emphasizing the use of tanks and fast-moving mechanized infantry.

Question 59

Hermann Goering

Answer 59

Leading Nazi official, founder of the Gestapo, and head of the Luftwaffe. He played a key role in the rise of Nazi Germany, the military strategies in WWII, and the economic exploitation of occupied territories.

Question 60

Transylvania

Answer 60

Region in Central Europe, historically contested between Hungary and Romania. It was given to Hungary by the 2nd Vienna Award in 1940, but returned to Romania after WWII. It was a site of ethnic tensions during the war.

Question 61

Admiral Erich Raeder

Answer 61

Commander of the German Navy during WWII. He played a key role in naval strategies, including the Battle of the Atlantic, but was replaced in 1943 after the failure of naval operations.

Question 62

Erwin Rommel

Answer 62

German Field Marshal known for his leadership in North Africa during WWII, earning the nickname "The Desert Fox." He was respected for his tactical brilliance but was involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler.

Question 63

Kyiv

Answer 63

Capital of Ukraine, heavily contested during WWII. It was captured by Nazi Germany in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, then recaptured by the Soviet Union in 1943 during a major counteroffensive.

Question 64

Richard Sorge

Answer 64

German-born Soviet spy during WWII, stationed in Japan. His intelligence, including the crucial information that Japan would not invade the Soviet Union, significantly aided Soviet efforts against Nazi Germany.

Question 65

Archibald Wavell

Answer 65

British Field Marshal during WWII, serving as Commander-in-Chief in the Middle East. He led successful campaigns in North Africa and the Mediterranean but was replaced after setbacks in 1941.

Question 66

Douglas MacArthur

Answer 66

U.S. General in the Pacific during WWII, known for his leadership in the Philippines, the Battle of Leyte, and the occupation of Japan. He played a key role in the defeat of Japan and post-war reconstruction.

Question 67

Mao Tse-Tung

Answer 67

Chinese communist leader who led the People's Republic of China. During WWII, he led the Chinese Communist Party in the resistance against Japanese invasion, while also fighting the Nationalist forces in the Chinese Civil War.

Question 68

Hideki Tojo

Answer 68

Japanese general and Prime Minister during much of WWII. He played a key role in Japan's military decisions, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was later tried and executed for war crimes.

Question 69

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer 69

U.S. President during most of WWII, from 1933 to 1945. He led the U.S. through the Great Depression and WWII, implementing key policies like the New Deal and playing a major role in Allied strategy and the establishment of the United Nations.

Question 70

Operation Typhoon

Answer 70

German offensive during WWII aimed at capturing Moscow. It was the final major push in Operation Barbarossa but failed due to harsh winter conditions, Soviet resistance, and logistical challenges.