0009 World War II (SMR 2.9) Flashcards
What 4 factors led to WWII and US involvement?
- US Isolationism
- German humiliation after WWI
- Economic hardships of the Great Depression
- The rise of Totalitarianism and Fascism
Why did German humiliation after WWI contribute to WWII?
Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to take the blame for the war, pay huge reparations and limit their army. This caused German Nationalism and desire for power following the Great Depression
What countries experienced the rise of fascism and totalitarianism in their govts before WWII?
Italy, Germany, the Soviet Union, Spain, and Japan
Fascist leaders promised economic change, typically through a building up of a military
What was the Berlin Rome Axis?
An alliance made between Germany and Italy (Hitler & Mussolini)
What was considered “Russia’s private war with fascism”?
The USSR’s support of anti-fascism in Spain against Franco who was a fascist and supported by Germany and Italy
In 1936, economic troubles led to a fascist named _____ in Spain.
Franco
What was the Spanish Civil War?
The rise of fascism in Spain by Franco, supported by Mussolini and the Nazis, was a testing ground for Italy & Germany to see how their military units did with other countries,
What role did Americans play in the Spanish Civil War?
some American companies supported with products/ arms because of the Neutrality Act loophole for civil wars but this was taken away in Neutrality Act of 1937
______ & _______ both had an ________ spirit
imperial spirit because Italy wanted raw goods and Japan wanted more resources
The invasion of what country in 1935 inspired Hitler to eventually plan his own invasions?
The 1935 invasion by Italy of Ethiopia. League of Nations is unable to stop Mussolini because the US is not involved in the League of Nations, Italy ends up leaving League of Nations after this deeming it useless. Hitler sees that Italy simply received a slap on the wrist for this invasion and this inspires him
How did the US respond to Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia?
FDR doesn’t like what Italy has done so he stops trade altogether with Italy (even the items not listed in neutrality acts)
What country did Japan invade for oil and raw materials in 1937?
China
What terrible event occurs when Japan invades China?
The Rape of Nanking
What started Japan’s initial anger towards the US?
FDR’s cash and carry policy that enabled Britain to support China against them
What was FDR’s response to Japan’s invasion of China?
Galvanizes effort from FDR to get involved by providing military aid to China (he says he can get around the Neutrality Acts because Japan doesn’t officially declare war against China) and Congress is quite irritated. FDR garners a deal with Great Britain if Britain carries American goods to China than the US will trade with them. Intro: The cash and carry loophole, and the start of Japan’s anger towards US
What was the Anschluss?
the“illegal” annexation of Austria to Germany in 1938, Germany and Austria ally together which was illegal under Treaty of Versailles
Besides the Anschluss, what did Germany do that caused tensions and broke the Treaty of Versailles?
Annexation of Sudetenland (land lost in the Treaty of Versailles)
What was the Munich Conference (Compromise)?
an appeasement made by League of Nations that Germany could have Sudetenland as long as they didn’t take over the rest of Czechoslovakia
What was Hitler’s response to the Munich Conference/Compromise?
Hitler broke it by immediately invading Czechoslovakia
Who signed a non aggression pact in August 1939? Why was this important?
USSR & Germany sign a secret non-aggression pact that says that if either country goes to war, they agree not to attack each other (important for Germans because it means they only have to focus on western europe)
What made Britain and France declare war on Germany on September 3, 1939?
After Germany attacks and conquers part of Poland
How did FDR react to Britain and France declaring war on Germany?
FDR encourages Congress to repeal arms embargo because he wants to aid Britain and France against Nazi Germany
FDR’s desire to aid Britain and France with munitions during WWII led to the _____ Neutrality Act. What did it do?
1939 / extends “Cash & Carry” to allow for munitions
What occurred at the 1940 Blitzkrieg?
(Nazi Germany’s Lightning War)
Germany takes over Denmark & Norway
When did the first draft occur?
Sept 1940: First peacetime draft in the US in an effort to build up standing army in preparation to go to war
What was the lend-lease act?
March 1941: “lending” allies the weapons needed, ends US neutrality by lending to allied powers Britain and France
When was the Atlantic Charter signed and what was the significance of it?
1941 Atlantic Charter was signed: clarified that we would be allies with Britain.
(At the time of signing, Britain had not yet been attacked)
What led to the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor?
1940: US stops sale of steel to Japan, due to desire for neutrality and FDR’s antagonism of Japan and puts an embargo on oil because they feared Japan might take over East Indies. Japan tries to diplomatically fix things in order to get back trade but we refuse so Japan attacks.
Why is Japan threatened by the US leading up to WWII?
Japan is industrially strong but needs raw materials like steel and oil, if they can’t get these through trade, they get these through attack of China and other parts of Pacific Ocean, and the US is the only power that is not already involved in the war that can deal with them
What happened on December 7, 1941?
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which killed 3,000 and destroyed many ships
Why was Pearl Harbor a target?
Pearl Harbor was home to our navy and Japan wanted to cripple our Navy so they could have time to take over other parts of the Pacific.
What occurred as a result of the Pearl Harbor attack?
December 1941: US declares war in Japan; Germany on US (because Japan was an ally of Germany), starts the Pacific Theater of the war
In 1941, a major turning point in the Pacific Theater occurred when Japan conquered _______.
The Philippines (a US territory in Asia) which is a huge blow to the US and strengthens Japan
What US win in the Pacific Theater causes Japan to be reduced to a defensive stance
June 1942: Battle at Midway
The Battle at Midway led to what?
Leads to desperate actions from Japan (aka Kamikaze attacks)
What was the Battle of al-Alamein and why was it significant?
November 8 1942 battle where Britain defeats Germany in North Africa.
Important because Germany was expanding unobstructed into North Africa until this point
What event in February 1943 caused Germany to be weakened on the eastern front?
Soviets win Stalingrad (a city of rubble), a moral victory that puts the Germans on the retreat in the Soviet Union, Germans are ill prepared for long winter in Soviet Union
Who is the first country to surrender in September 1943? What occurs as a result
Italy
As a result, Mussolini is arrested, Italy signs an armistice with the allied powers and Italy declares war on Germany
What turning point occurred on June 4, 1944?
Operation Overlord (D.Day; Normandy)
Wat was Operation Overlord?
(D.Day; Normandy), two years in the making, took multinational efforts of US, Britain and France to push for this, an attack on Germany proper and the reconquering of France
What happened in August 1944 following Operation Overlord?
Paris is freed
Germany’s counter offensive takes place in _______.
Dec 1944: German counter offensive; allies are now in German territory, this is where many of the famous battles take place
When the allies converged on Germany to balance Russia, they discover what?
Concentration Camps
When and what is V-E day?
May 8, 1945, Germany surrenders in what is known as Victory in Europe Day (or V-E Day)