History Only Flashcards
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
- Assisted by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, etc.
- The purpose was to justify the colonies decision to break away from British rule.
- King George III was the ruler of Britian
- Signed on July 4th, 1776
Who was the 16th President of the United States?
Abraham Lincoln
- Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1861 in Ford Theater
- Issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which declared all slaves to be freed
- Issued the Gettysburg address
What famous speech did Abraham Lincoln give in 1863?
The Gettysburg Address
- Deliverd in Gettysburg Pennsylvania following the battle of Gettysburg
- Starts with “Four score and seven years ago”
- The phrase “Government of the people, by the people, for the people became a central tenet of American political thought
Which state was the first to secede from the Union?
South Carolina
- The state’s economy was heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly the production of cotton
- Believed states should have the ability to make their own decisions about slavery and other issues
- The start of the Civil War was at Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC
Which U.S. president purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803?
Thomas Jefferson
- The purchase doubled the size of the US
- The US needed access to the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans, which was crucial for shipping
- Napolean needed cash for ongoing wars with Europe.
- The land was sold for 4 cents an acre. Natives were already on some of the land
- Led to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the idea of Manifest Destiny
What was the name of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to America in 1620?
The Mayflower
- Carried a group of English Separatists seeking religious freedom from the Church of England
- Landed in Plymouth which is present day Massachusetts
- Before embarking, the male crew signed the Mayflower Compact, which established a self-governing body based on majority rule
- Squanto taught them essential farming techniques such as how to plant corn and use fish to fertilize crops. Squanto was part of the Wampanoag Tribe
- Celebrated a Thanksgiving after their first successful harvest with the Wampanoag Tribe
What year did the United States enter World War I?
1917
- Germany U-Boats were sinking British ships. The most famous was the Lusitania, which was a British ocean liner. 128 Americans were on bord
- British intelligence also intercepted a secret communication from German Foreign Minister Zimmerman to the ambassador in Mexico. This became known as the Zimmerman telegraph
- In the Zimmerman telegraph, Germany promised Mexico that if it joined the Central Powers Germany would help them regain Texas, New Mexico and Arizona
Who was the leader of the Confederate States during the Civil War?
Jefferson Davis
- Served in the Mexican American War prior
- Was involved in government. His advocacy for slavery put him at odds with the growing anti-slavery sentiment in the North.
Was elected president of the confederacy in 1861
- He is known for micro-managing the confederate army and its generals
- The confederate capital was Richmond
- Davis was captured and imprisoned in Fort Monroe for 2 years for treason but was released on bail
Which battle is considered the turning point of the Civil War?
The Battle of Gettysburg
- Resulted in a decisive union victory and is often considered the turning point of the war
- After the battle, General Lee was forced to retreat back to the South, ending his invasion of the North. The Confederate Army never again attempted such an ambitious offensive into Northern territory.
Which president is credited with leading the country during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)
- Great Depression started in 1929, WW2 started in 1939
- Was president for 12 years: 1933 - 1945 (died in office)
- Only US president to serve more than 2 terms
- Launched the New Deal to lead US out of depression
- Initiated the Lend Lease Act - Aid to allies in WW2
- Established Social Security
Which event marked the start of the American Revolution?
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
- American Militias (minutemen) take on the British army. The British army was instructed to seize gun powder and weapons in Concord
- Paul Revere and other members of the Son’s of Liberty made their midnight ride to warn the militia
- The “Shot Heard Around The World” started the war. Unsure on who fired the first shot
- Thousands of armed colonists ambushed the British army using Guerilla Style Atacks
What was the name of the first permanent English settlement in America?
Jamestown
- Founded in present-day Virginia, settlement was sponsored by the Virginia company
- Food shortages and conflicts with the Powhatan Confederacy made survival difficult
- Pocahontas: Daughter of Chief Powhatan, she played a role in easing tensions between settlers and Native Americans.
- John Rolfe: Introduced tobacco cultivation in 1612, which became the economic backbone of Jamestown
What was the purpose of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
To explore the newly acquired western territories and find a route to the Pacific Ocean
- Sacagawea acted as a translator and guide, helping them navigate and negotiate with tribes
-Their maps and reports provided valuable knowledge for westward expansion
Which document ended the American Revolution and recognized U.S. independence?
The Treaty of Paris (1783)
Key Terms of The Treaty
1. Britain Recognized U.S. Independence – The U.S. became a sovereign nation.
2. Defined U.S. Borders – The U.S. extended west to the Mississippi River, north to Canada, and south to Florida.
3. Fishing Rights – Americans gained fishing rights off the coast of Canada.
4. Debts & Property – Both sides agreed that pre-war debts would be honored, and Loyalists (colonists loyal to Britain) could reclaim confiscated property.
5. British Troop Withdrawal – Britain agreed to remove its troops from U.S. territory.
What was the name of the first American political party?
The Federalist Party
- Founded by Alexander Hamilton
- Believed a strong and powerful national government was necessary for stability and national security
- Advocated for broad federal powers under the necessary and proper clause (loose interpretation of the constitution)
- John Adams was the only Federalist US president
- Democratic Republicans were the opposition (Jefferson and Madison)
- Opposed the War of 1812 which weakened the party. The party disappeared by 1820
Which event led to the American colonists’ slogan “No taxation without representation”?
The Stamp Act (1765)
- Britian was in heavy debt following the French and Indian War
- The British government wanted colonists to pay for their own defense
- The act was designed to raise revenue from the colonies without their approval
- No Taxation Without Representation became a rally cry
- The Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams harassed tax collectors
- The British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 due to the widespread resistance
Which U.S. president was involved in the Watergate scandal in 1974?
Richard Nixon
- 5 men were caught breaking into the DNC headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington DC. The men were linked to Nixons reelection campaign
- The men were planting wire taps and stealing documents
- Nixon resigned and Gerald Ford pardoned him
- Senate hearings revealed that Nixon had secretly recorded conversations in the Oval Office
What was the primary reason for the War of 1812?
British interference with American trade and impressment of sailors
- The British imprisoned thousands of American sailors and forced them to serve in the Royal Navy
Britain and France were at war and Britain blocked American Trade with France through the Orders in Council - The War ended with the Treaty of Ghent
- The Battle of New Orleans greatly improved American morale
Who invented the cotton gin in 1793?
Eli Whitney
- The machine quickly and efficiently removing seeds from cotton fibers
- The machine used a crank to pull cotton through a set of wire teeth that separated the seeds from the fibers. A rotating brush then cleared the fibers from the teeth
- Made cotton processing 50 times faster, allowing for mass production
Which U.S. president is known for the New Deal programs to combat the Great Depression?
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)
The New Deal: Created a ton of federal agencies and programs including Social Security, the SEC, the FDIC. The three goals were:
-Relief: Immediate aid to those suffering
-Recovery: Programs to rebuild the economy and create jobs
-Reform: Long term changes to prevent future economic crisis
- The New Deal and the economic boom from WW2 drug the economy out of the Great Depression
Who was the U.S. president during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
John F. Kennedy (JFK)
- 13 Day confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union over Soviet nuclear missiles near Cuba. This was the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war
- After the failed Bay of Pigs Operation by the US, Fidel Castro sought protection from the Soviet Union
- The Soviets secretly placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles off the US coast
- US spy planes discovered the missile sites under construction in 1962
- The soviets offered to remove the missiles if the US: Promised not to invade Cuba and removed its nuclear missiles from Turkey
What event led to the American involvement in World War II?
The attack on Pearl Harbor
- The US had cut off oil and steel exports to Japan, crippling its war effort
- 2,403 Americans were killed, including 68 civilians
- 1,177 were killed on the USS Arizona
- Following the attacks, FDR issues his “Day of Infamy” speech and declares war on Japan. Germany and Italy then declare war on the US and the US is fully drug into WW2
Which state was the last to join the United States?
Hawaii
- Was an independent kingdom prior to being annexed by the US in 1898
- The US wanted Hawaii for its strategic location in the Pacific
- Hawaii officially became a US state in 1959. Hawaii was just a US territory during Pearl Harbor
- Pearl Harbor is located on Oahu. The state capital Honolulu is also on Oahu Island
- The other large islands are Maui and The Big Island
What was the name of the U.S. government’s program to help veterans after World War II?
The G.I. Bill
- The goal of the bill is to help veterans transition back to civilian life after war
Key Benefits in the G.I Bill
1. 100 % of in-state tuition fees covered for a public university
2. Veterans are eligible for home loans through the VA with no down payment and lower interest rates then typical market loans
3. Free or low-cost health care
4. Child Care assistance while they are in school
Who was the first man to walk on the moon?
Neil Armstrong
- “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind”
- Followed by Buzz Aldrin. The 2 spent 21 hours on the moon
- Michael Collins remained in orbit around the Moon aboard the Command Module
- Launched from the Kennedy Space Center
- The lunar module was named “Eagle”. Launched via a Saturn V rocket
Who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1928?
Amelia Earhart
- In 1937 Earhart embarked on a flight around the world and vanished. Despite extensive search efforts, no definitive trace of Earhart or her plane was found, and their disappearance remains one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history.
Which U.S. president was impeached but not removed from office?
Bill Clinton
- Monika Lewinsky was a white house intern. She was 22
- Clinton initially denied the affair in both public statements and under oath. He was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice
- Clinton tried to impede the investigation by encouraging Lewinsky and others to deny the affair and providing false testimony.
- A 2/3rds majority was required in the senate and ultimately the vote ruled that he could remain in office
- Clinton became the second U.S. president to be impeached, following Andrew Johnson in 1868.
Who was the famous American who led the “Underground Railroad” in?
Harriet Tubman
- Ran away from slavery in 1849 and spent 11 years helping free other slaves via the underground railroad
- Rescued over 300 slaves
- She had the nickname “Moses” for leading others to freedom
Which Native American tribe is known for its “Trail of Tears” following the Indian Removal Act?
The Cherokee
- Forced to move west of the Mississippi River
- Andrew Jackson issued the Indian Removal Act
- Today, the Cherokee Tribe is headquartered in Oklahoma with 350,000 members
What was the name of the plan to rebuild Europe after WW2
The Marshall Plan
- Officially known as the European Recovery Plan (ERP)
-The plan aimed to revitalize the European economies by rebuilding infrastructure, revitalizing industries, and stabilizing currency systems. - The plan also aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Europe
- The Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, rejected the plan
- The Marshall Plan is widely regarded as one of the most successful foreign aid programs in history and it solidified the United States as a leader in international diplomacy and global economic affairs.
What was the name of the first U.S. manned space mission to land on the moon?
Apollo 11
- Captained by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins
- Collins remained in orbit in the command module, nicknamed “Columbia”
- Launched during the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union
- Launched from the Kennedy Space Station via a Saturn V rocket
- The lunar module is what the astronauts used for landing and was called “eagle”
- The trip took 4 days from earth to the moon. They returned to earth and splashed into the Pacific near Hawaii
- Millions of people watched the launch and it was a unifying event in America
Who was the first president to be impeached?
Andrew Johnson
- President following the assassination of Lincoln
- Was responsible for overseeing the reconstruction of the south after the Civil War
- John violated the Tenure of Approval Act, which restricted the president’s ability to remove certain officeholders without Senate approval
Which famous American inventor is associated with the light bulb?
Thomas Edison
- Edison supported DC current while Nikola Tesla supported AC current during the “War of Currents”
- Edison established General Electric (GE)
- Edison established the first electric power plan in NYC in 1882
- Edison also invented the phonograph and the motion picture camera. He has over 1000 patents for various inventions and innovations
Who was the first president to serve two non-consecutive terms?
Grover Cleveland
- He was the 22nd and 24th president. Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president
Who was the main author of the U.S. Constitution?
James Madison
- James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay authored the Federalist Papers which was a series of essays defending the constitution
- Constitution was ratified in 1787 and the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791
- Madison presided over the War of 1812
- Often referred to as “The Father of The Constitution”
Which country was held responsible for assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Serbia
- The assassin was a member of the Black Hand which sought to create a Greater Serbia by using violence against the Austro-Hungarian Empire
- The first attempt failed. Later, as they were traveling to a hospital to visit those injured in the first attack, their driver took a wrong turn and ended up near where the assassin was standing and he shot him and his wife.
Which countries formed the Triple Entente before WW1
France, Russia, and the United Kingdom
- This was made as counterbalance to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
- Triple Entente opposed the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later the Ottoman Empire)
- Another name for allied powers
This is considered one of the longest battles of WW1 and was fought between France and Germany in Northeast France. This became a symbol of French resistance. Little was gained on either side from this war but this war had more casualties than any other single war
The Battle of Verdun
- Lasted 302 days
- By summer, Germany shifted focus to the Battle of the Somme, weakening their attack on Verdun.
- By the end of the war, the French had regained almost all lost ground. Very little strategic ground was gained by either side in the war
- Verdun became a symbol of French Resistance
Which treaty ended WW1 in 1918
The Treaty of Versailles
Terms of the treaty:
1. Germany was forced to accept full responsibility for causing the war
2. Germany was required to pay 132 billion gold marks (~$33 billion at the time) to the Allies.
3. The German army was limited to 100,000 soldiers (no tanks, heavy artillery, or an air force). The navy was restricted to a few ships (no submarines)
4. League of Nations created by U.S did not join due to rejection in the Senate
Who was the President of the United States during WWI?
Woodrow Wilson
- Attempted to shape the post-war world through his Fourteen Points and the League of Nations.
- Declared neutrality when WW1 first broke out. He promoted “peace without victory”
- The Selective Service Act (1917): Instituted a draft, bringing 4 million U.S. troops into the war
- Created the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
What was the nickname for soldiers fighting on the Western Front?
Doughboys
- Exact origin of the term is unclear.
- One of the most common theories is that “doughboy” came from the soldiers’ practice of coating their uniforms with a clay-like substance to protect them from the mud of the trenches. The mixture was often made with flour or dough and applied to the uniforms, giving them a distinctive light-colored appearance
What type of warfare was used by both sides on the Western Front in WW1
Trench Warfare
-Trenches were often dug in a zig-zag pattern to prevent enemies from firing directly down the line.
- The middle ground between the opposing trenches was called No Mans Land
- The nature of trench warfare led to a stalemate, with neither side able to make significant advances for much of the war.
- The front lines barely shifted, leading to high casualties for very little territorial gain. This frustration contributed to the widespread sense of futility and horror among soldiers
- Soldiers in the trenches experienced extreme stress from constant bombardment and the death all around them. This led to a condition known as “shell shock”
- Soldiers often had to stand in cold, wet trenches for hours or days at a time, leading to trench foot, a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold, damp conditions.
What was the name of the international organization formed after WWI to prevent future wars?
League of Nations
- This was an idea in Wilson’s Fourteen Points
-The League was primarily designed to maintain peace by promoting disarmament, collective security, and diplomatic negotiation. The idea was to prevent the kinds of military alliances and tensions that led to WWI. - Despite being a primary proponent of the League, the United States never joined. The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles and, by extension, membership in the League. This was a major blow to the League’s effectiveness
- The permanent members of The League were: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, and later Germany
- Germany left the League in 1933 after Hitler’s rise to power
- Japan withdrew in 1933 after the League condemned its invasion of Manchuria
- Italy left the League in 1937 after its invasion of Ethiopia, which the League condemned
- Its failure led to WW2. Replaced by the United Nations after WW2
What battle in 1916 was primarily a British and French offensive against the German Empire. This was saw the introduction of the tank into battle for the first time. War ended in a Stalemate
Battle of the Somme
- The primary goal was to relieve pressure on the French forces fighting at the Battle of Verdun and to break through the German defenses along the Somme.
- While the Germans held most of their positions, the sheer scale of the losses in the Somme began to take its toll on their morale. The battle made it clear that the war would not be won quickly and would require sustained effort.
Which new weapon, first used in WWI, played a major role in the fighting? This was introduced in the Battle of Somme
Tanks
- The development of the tank was a response to the challenges of trench warfare
- In 1915, the British first considered the idea of an armored vehicle that could cross trenches and break through barbed wire.
- The Mark I was the first operational tank and was introduced in 1916
- In the Battle of Somme, many of the tanks broke down due to engine problems, mechanical failures, and poor terrain conditions.
- The Allied counteroffensive in the Hundred Days Offensive saw tanks play a key role in breaking the stalemate. By this point, tank designs had improved significantly
Which empire collapsed after WWI, leading to the creation of modern-day Turkey? This empire existed for 600 years (1299 - 1922)
Ottoman Empire
- The empire’s expansion began with victories over the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Turks
- The Ottomans famously captured Constantinople in 1453, marking the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
- After this victory, the Ottomans made Constantinople (renamed Istanbul) their capital, transforming it into a global hub of culture, trade, and learning.
- In WW1, The Ottomans suffered a series of defeats, including in the Middle East (against British forces in places like Mesopotamia and Palestine)
Who was the leader of the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution of 1917?
Vladamir Lenin
—The Bolsheviks were Marxists who believed that Russia, being an underdeveloped capitalist society, could still undergo a successful socialist revolution.
— Marxism: Goal is to achieve a classless, stateless society where the means of production are owned collectively and used for the benefit of all. In this system, there would be no private ownership of property, and wealth would be distributed based on need, not profit.
— Marx argued that workers are exploited under capitalism because they create value that is greater than the wages they are paid, and the surplus value is taken by the capitalists as profit
— The Bolshevik Revolution led to the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of a communist state under the leadership of the Bolshevik Party
— There was a Russian Civil War from 1917 to 1923 and the Bolsheviks won.
—One of the Bolshevik government’s early decisions was to withdraw from World War I
—In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was officially established, with Lenin as its first head of state
— Lenin issued The Decree on Land which granted land to the peasants, effectively redistributing land from the aristocracy and the church to the peasantry
— Lenin died in 1924 and Stalin took over.
— Prior to the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia was governed by an autocracy, a political system in which the country was ruled by a single ruler with absolute power. The ruler was the Monarch
Which side did Italy join in WWI after initially being part of the Triple Alliance?
The Allies
- Italy was originally part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary before World War I. They signed in 1882, well before WW1
- Italy initially declared neutrality, despite being a member of the Triple Alliance. The reason for this was that Austria-Hungary and Germany were the aggressors and didn’t see as being in its best interests.
- In 1915, Italy decided to enter the war on the side of the Allied Powers (which included France, Britain, and Russia).
- The Allies offered Italy significant territorial gains that they wanted from Austria-Hungary
- Italy hoped to expand its influence and territory at the expense of Austria-Hungary, which it viewed as a rival
- After joining the Allies in 1915, Italy fought primarily against Austria-Hungary on the Italian Front, which stretched along the Alps and Isonzo River
- At the end of the war, Italy was awarded some of the promised territories but felt that it hadn’t been fully compensated for its sacrifices, leading to dissatisfaction and the rise of Benito Mussolini and set the stage for leaving the allies in WW2.
What 1917 events significantly influenced the U.S. decision to enter WWI?
Zimmerman Telegraph and Sinking of the Lusitania
Zimmerman Telegraph:
— Arthur Zimmerman sent telegrams to the German Ambassador in Mexico promising Mexico in regaining the territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, which had been lost to the U.S. during the Mexican American War (1846-1848).
—- At the time, Germany was engaged in unrestricted submarine warfare, meaning German U-boats were sinking ships, including those from neutral nations like the United States. Germany hoped to keep the U.S. distracted and neutralized by encouraging conflict with Mexico.
—- The telegram was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence. The British government then passed the information to the United States in early February 1917.
Sinking of the Lusitania:
— the Lusitania was struck by a torpedo fired by a German U-boat (submarine), U-20, while it was off the coast of Ireland.
— The ship sank within 18 minutes, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans.
—- Prior to the attack, Germany had issued warnings in newspapers, stating that British ships, including the Lusitania, could be attacked.
—- After the Lusitania’s sinking, there was considerable controversy over whether the ship was carrying weapons. Some believed it was carrying munitions, while others argued that the ship was purely civilian. Subsequent investigations revealed that the Lusitania was indeed carrying war materials, but that did not absolve Germany from the attack.
Which country did Germany invade in 1939, starting WWII?
Poland
— Hitler had a long-standing goal of expanding German territory to the east. This was part of his broader vision, which he referred to as Lebensraum (living space), aimed at acquiring land for the growing German population.
— Hitler believed that the Slavic people (such as the Poles) were “racially inferior” and that their land should be taken for the benefit of the German people.
— The Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk) was home to a significant German-speaking population, and Hitler demanded its return to Germany. He believed he needed to protect Ethnic Germans living in Poland
— Germans staged the Gleiwitz Incident to make the world believe Poland attacked them and to justify their invasion
—- In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression agreement. This agreement ensured that Germany could invade Poland without worrying about Soviet intervention.
— The pact secretly included a protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, with the Soviets gaining control over the eastern part of Poland. This gave Germany a green light to invade the western part of Poland without the threat of a two-front war.
— On June 22, 1941, less than two years after the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the largest military invasion in history, against the Soviet Union. Hitler had planned the invasion for months, and it was a direct violation of the non-aggression pact
What was the main Allied strategy in the Pacific Theater against Japan?
Island hopping
— This strategy aimed to bypass heavily fortified Japanese-held islands, targeting less-defended islands to gradually move closer to Japan itself, while isolating Japanese strongholds and cutting off their supply lines
— This allowed the Allies to gain airstrips and naval bases while bypassing more heavily defended islands.
— A key turning point in the Pacific War, the Battle of Midway saw the United States Navy decisively defeat the Imperial Japanese Navy, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers and effectively crippling Japan’s ability to project power in the Pacific.
— The strategy eventually led to the Battle of Okinawa (April-June 1945), one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War, which brought the Allies within striking distance of the Japanese home islands.
— In response to the heavy casualties and the belief that a full invasion of Japan would be extremely costly, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Which battle in 1942 marked the turning point in the Pacific War?
Battle of Midway
— The United States, under the command of Admiral Chester Nimitz, had broken Japanese naval codes and learned about Japan’s plans to attack Midway.
— This intelligence allowed the U.S. to prepare a defense and counterattack, despite being outnumbered and outgunned
— The Japanese lost four aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu), hundreds of aircraft, and over 3,000 personnel, including many of their best pilots and aircrews.
— The Battle of Midway was a decisive victory for the United States. The loss of four carriers effectively crippled Japan’s ability to carry out large-scale offensive operations in the Pacific.
What was the name of the large-scale Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944?
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
— The invasion, known as Operation Overlord, was a coordinated effort by the Allied forces, led primarily by the United States, Great Britain, and Canada
— By 1944, Nazi Germany controlled much of Western Europe, including France, which had been occupied since 1940.
— The night before the invasion, about 24,000 paratroopers from the United States and Great Britain were dropped behind enemy lines in Normandy to capture key positions and disrupt German defenses before the main assault began.
— The Germans had prepared for the invasion by building the Atlantic Wall, a series of coastal defenses along Western Europe. However, the Nazis had spread their forces thin, as they were also engaged on the Eastern Front and had limited troops in France
— D-Day opened up a second front in Western Europe, forcing Germany to fight a two-front war
— The battle culminated in the liberation of Paris and the eventual liberation of France.
— Dwight Eisenhower was a key general in the war
What was the name of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Little Boy and Fat Man
- Little Boy was the first one and was dropped by the Enola Gay, a B-29 bomber piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets
- Little Boy killed 70,000 - 80,000 people. Fat boy killed 40,000 to 75,000 people immediately. More died later from the effects of radiation.
Who was the British Prime Minister at the start of WWII?
Neville Chamberlain
— He is best known for his policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II
— Chamberlain believed that by allowing Hitler to expand Germany’s territory, especially in Europe, he could prevent a larger war.
— The Munich Agreement was Chamberlains most controversial moves. This was an agreement between Germany, Britain, France, and Italy, in which Czechoslovakia was forced to cede its border regions to Germany in exchange for Hitler’s promise not to make further territorial demands in Europe.
— In 1940, as the German army advanced through Europe, Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister. He was replaced by Winston Churchill, who became the new leader and famously rallied Britain to continue the fight against Nazi Germany
— Chamberlain died of cancer in 1940, just months after resigning as Prime Minister.
— His legacy remains controversial, with some viewing him as a man who tried to avoid war and others seeing him as an enabler of Nazi aggression
What was the name of the German air force during WWII?
Luftwaffe
- “Luftwaffe” literally translates to “air weapon” in German
- Under the leadership of Hermann Göring, the Luftwaffe played a crucial role in the early successes of the Nazi’s
- The Luftwaffe helped aid the Blitzkrieg (lightning war) tactics. This involved fast-moving and coordinated attacks using both aircraft and ground forces to quickly overwhelm enemies.
What was the Nazi policy aimed at exterminating Jews and other minorities?
The Holocaust
- 6 million Jews were persecuted
- the Nazis forced Jews into overcrowded ghettos with poor living conditions
- Death camps such as Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Sobibor were established, where victims were murdered in gas chambers or perished from forced labor, starvation, and disease.
- The Nuremberg Trials (1945–1946) held Nazi leaders accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- The Holocaust led to the establishment of Israel in 1948
- Aryan – A racial term used by the Nazis to describe a so-called “master race” of pure Germanic descent.
Where did the Battle of the Bulge take place in 1944-45?
Belgium
- The Battle of the Bulge was the largest and bloodiest battle fought by U.S. forces during WW2
- After D-Day, the Allies pushed through France and into Belgium, nearing the German border.
- Hitler planned a surprise winter attack to split the Allied forces. Over 200,000 German troops and 1,000 tanks launched a massive attack on thinly spread American lines.
— The Germans surrounded Bastogne, Belgium and demanded surrender but the allies did not back down - U.S. and British troops launched a counteroffensive, gradually pushing the Germans back
- This was an ally victory. The Germans failed to achieve their goals and suffered heavy losses.
Which battle is considered the turning point in the European Theater of WWII? It resulted in a devastating German defeat, marking the beginning of the Nazi retreat from the Eastern Front.
Battle of Stalingrad
— Adolf Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa (June 1941), the invasion of the Soviet Union
— By summer 1942, the Germans aimed to capture Stalingrad to cut off Soviet supply routes and secure oil fields
— Massive Luftwaffe bombings turned Stalingrad into rubble. The Germans took most of the city by mid-September, but Soviet forces refused to surrender
—- Soviets launched a surprise counter-offensive encirclement of German forces and completely surrounded the German 6th army
— Stalingrad was the first major Nazi defeat and marked the beginning of Germany’s retreat from the Soviet Union.
This was a military strategy used by Nazi Germany during World War II, emphasizing speed, surprise, and overwhelming force to defeat enemies quickly. It involved a coordinated attack using tanks, infantry, and air support, breaking through enemy defenses before they could react.
Blitzkrieg
-Germany invaded Poland on Sept 1, 1939, using Blitzkrieg tactics. Poland fell within five weeks as German and Soviet forces divided the country.
- German forces bypassed the heavily defended Maginot Line, attacking through Belgium and the Ardennes Forest. Paris fell in 6 weeks
- Initially, Blitzkrieg allowed Germany to advance deep into Soviet territory, capturing Minsk, Kiev, and Smolensk.
Limitations and failures of Blitzkrieg
1. Long supply lines were vulnerable, especially in Russia’s vast terrain
2. Winter conditions in the Soviet Union slowed down German forces
3. Later in the war, enemies adapted, using tactics like defensive depth (Soviets) and air superiority (Allies) to counter Blitzkrieg.
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during WWII?
Joseph Stalin
- Joined the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, and took over after Lenin’s death in 1924
- Stalin executed or imprisoned political opponents, military officers, and intellectuals in gulags. Over 1 million people were executed, and millions more were sent to Siberian labor camps
- Stalin signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939) with Hitler, allowing the USSR and Germany to divide Eastern Europe.
- Hitler betrayed Stalin and invaded the USSR in Operation Barbarossa
- Stalin led the USSR to victory at Stalingrad (1942-43), a turning point in WWII.
- Died in 1953
Who was the leader of Italy during WWII?
Benito Mussolini
—Served as Prime Minister from 1922 until his downfall in 1943. He was the founder of fascism and ruled Italy as a dictator
— Mussolini initially pursued a policy of neutrality during the early stages of World War II, but in 1940, he joined the Axis Powers led by Nazi Germany
— Italian forces were involved in several unsuccessful campaigns during the war, including in North Africa, Greece, and the Soviet Union, often requiring German intervention to bail them out
— After his arrest in 1943 by the Italian government, Mussolini was rescued by German forces and placed in charge of the Italian Social Republic (a Nazi puppet state) in the northern part of Italy.
— In 1945, he was captured by Italian partisans while attempting to flee and executed by firing squad the next day. His body was displayed publicly in Milan, where it was mutilated by crowds.
What was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy?
Operation Overlord
- It began with the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, and was a critical turning point in the war.
- The invasion was a massive undertaking, involving over 156,000 troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations.
- Over the next several weeks, the Allies advanced through France, liberating Paris in August 1944 and eventually pushing the German forces out of France and beyond.
Which nation was forced to pay reparations after WWI?
Germany
- Under the Treaty of Versailles Germany was held responsible for the war and required to make financial reparations to the Allied powers.
- The treaty imposed significant economic penalties on Germany, including the payment of reparations to countries like France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
- Forces to pay about $33 billion, which was an enormous sum at the time
- This placed a heavy burden on Germany’s economy, contributing to hyperinflation, social unrest, and political instability in the years following the war
- This contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s
Who was the U.S. president during the majority of WWII?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Led the country out of the Great Depression and during WW2
- In 1921, FDR was struck by polio, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. He used a wheelchair for mobility and leg braces when standing
- FDR was elected President in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression. His administration is best known for implementing the New Deal, a series of programs and policies aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform to the American people
- Died in 1945 while in office due to a stroke
Which world leader gave the “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946?
Winston Churchill
- the speech emphasized the growing tension between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies following the end of the war
- The “Iron Curtain” was a metaphorical barrier that separated the Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe from the democratic nations of the West
- Churchill expressed concern that the Soviets would continue to expand their influence unless checked by the West
- The speech was given in Missouri with Harry Truman in attendance. Truman praised the speech
- Truman would eventually pass the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine
- Following the speech, there was a surge in anti-communist sentiment within the U.S., particularly in the form of the Red Scare and the rise of McCarthyism
Which international body was formed after WWII to promote peace and prevent future wars?
United Nations
— Established as a successor to the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent World War II. Has 193 member states
—The UN has several specialized agencies that work on specific issues, including health, education, and development. Some of these agencies include WHO and several others
— The UN plays a key role in addressing climate issues such as the Paris Agreement which intends to combat global warming
— The current Secretary-General is António Guterres.
— The United States is the largest contributor, historically contributing around 22% of the UN’s regular budget (though this share fluctuates slightly).
—- China commits 12-14% of their regular budget, Japan commits 9-10%, Germany France and the UK commit 5-7% of their regular budget
— Russia became a member of the UN after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991
Which leader was the head of the Nazi SS during WWII?
Heinrich Himmler
- Himmler became Head of the SS in 1929 and turned the organization into a central pillar of the Nazi regime.
- The SS was responsible for enforcing Nazi policies, including racial purity and anti-Semitism, and was tasked with eliminating perceived enemies of the state.
- Himmler also took control of the Gestapo (the secret police), which was responsible for suppressing opposition to the Nazi regime.
- Himmler is most infamous for his role in organizing the Holocaust. As Chief of the SS Himmler was directly involved in the establishment and operation of the death camps and extermination camps, including Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Belzec.
- Himmler was deeply committed to the idea of creating a racially pure Aryan state
- After Germany’s surrender in May 1945, Himmler tried to escape to Sweden and eventually to Britain, assuming an alias. He was captured by British forces and committed suicide by ingesting cyanide while being interrogated
- Heinrich Himmler is remembered as one of the most evil and ruthless figures in history
What was the largest military invasion in history, involving over 3 million German and Soviet soldiers, and marked a pivotal turning point in World War II. Germany invaded the Soviet Union
Operation Barbosa
—- Was the largest military operation in history, involving millions of troops on both sides.
— Adolf Hitler had long held a vision of Lebensraum (living space) for the German people, which involved the conquest and colonization of Eastern Europe, especially the Soviet Union
- —The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed in 1939 had temporarily prevented a conflict between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, but Hitler had always intended to break this pact and invade the Soviet Union eventually.
—- The Germans made rapid advances in the early weeks of the invasion. The Soviet Red Army was caught largely unprepared, with many of its forces scattered and poorly positioned. German forces advanced deep into Soviet territory, capturing hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers and vast amounts of land. Major cities like Kiev and Smolensk fell quickly.
— While the Germans did inflict heavy losses on the Soviet Union, they were unable to defeat the Soviet state or capture critical cities like Moscow or Leningrad
Which countries supported North Korea during the Vietnam war?
The Soviet Union and China
—North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union were all communist states, and they viewed the war as part of a broader struggle against capitalism and Western influence
—Mao Zedong was the communist China leader and Stalin led Russia
— The USSR provided weapons, military advisors, and strategic planning but kept its role less visible
— Mao sent the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) to prevent a U.S. presence on China’s doorstep
— They saw South Korea as a U.S. puppet state and feared a unified Korea under Western influence
What year did the U.S. officially begin military involvement in Vietnam?
1965, following the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
This was an alleged attack on U.S. naval ships by North Vietnamese forces, which led to the U.S. escalating involvement in the Vietnam War.
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
— The USS Maddox, a U.S. Navy destroyer was conducting a signals intelligence mission near North Vietnam’s coast.
— Three North Vietnamese torpedo boats approached and allegedly attacked the Maddox.
— The Maddox, with air support from a U.S. aircraft carrier, damaged the enemy boats and suffered minor damage itself.
— 2 days later, The USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy reported a second attack. Radar and sonar operators believed they detected enemy boats, leading to U.S. retaliatory fire.
—- Later evidence suggests this second attack likely never happened, as misinterpretations of radar and sonar readings could have caused a false alarm.
— The incident led President Lyndon B. Johnson to push for military invasion in Vietnam
This was communist guerrillas in South Vietnam who fought alongside North Vietnamese forces against the South Vietnamese
The Viet Cong
— Aimed to overthrow the South Vietnamese government and reunify Vietnam under communist rule.
— Guerrilla Warfare: Used ambushes, booby traps, and hit-and-run tactics to fight against better-equipped U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.
— Built vast underground tunnels for shelter, transport, and surprise attacks.
— One of the most effective guerrilla forces in history.
This was a series of surprise attacks by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces across South Vietnam and its US allies
Tet Offensive
— The attach was launched on the Tet holiday, which is a major lunar New Year celebration. It marks the beginning of the Lunar calendar
— The attack took U.S. and South Vietnamese forces by surprise, as Tet was traditionally a ceasefire period
— Many battles occurred in cities, marking a shift from the usual jungle warfare
— The Viet Cong suffered massive casualties (~50,000+ dead). The Viet Cong Never recovered after this
— Tet marked the beginning of the end of full-scale U.S. involvement in Vietnam
This led to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam and an agreement to cease hostilities, though the war continued between North and South Vietnam until 1975.
Paris Peace Accords
- Signed in 1973, marking the official withdrawal of US troops
- Vietnam was reunified under communism in 1975
Key Points of the Accord:
1. 60 day cease fire for US to withdraw troops
2. North Vietnam agreed to release all American POWs
3. The U.S. ended direct military support for South Vietnam.
What was the German false flag operation prior to invading Poland during WW2. A group of German SS (Schutzstaffel) operatives, dressed in Polish military uniforms, attacked a German radio station. They broadcast a brief message in Polish, making it appear as though the Polish military had attacked German soil.
Gleiwitz Incident
— It was part of Operation Himmler, a series of staged attacks designed to make it seem like Poland was the aggressor
—The Nazis left behind the body of a murdered German prisoner, dressed as a Polish soldier, to make it look like Polish forces had carried out the attack.
— This was one of several staged incidents used as an excuse for Germany to invade Poland the next day in 1939
— Germans did this to justify their invasion to the world and to deceive the German public. Some Germans were still scarred from WW1
— The invasion of Poland led Britain and France to declare war on Germany, officially starting WW2
These were a series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute key leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace.
Nuremberg Trials
- The trials were held in Nuremberg Germany and was organized by the allied powers (US, Britain, France and Soviet Union)
- Led to 12 death sentences, 3 life sentences, and other prison terms
-Hermann Göring (Hitler’s second-in-command) was sentenced to death but committed suicide before execution.
This was the most famous and largest Jewish ghetto during the Holocaust. It held over 400,000 Jews in an area of about 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²).
Warsaw
- Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland, located in the heart of the country
- The Warsaw Uprising was a Polish resistance fought against Nazi occupation, expecting Soviet help. However, Soviet forces halted their advance just outside of Warsaw
- The uprising was brutally crushed, and 90% of the city was destroyed
- 50,000-60,000 civilians killed
- The Soviet Union finally captured Warsaw in 1945 after it was destroyed and installed a communist regime. Poland became a democracy in 1991
This is a six-pointed star (hexagram) that is one of the most widely recognized symbols of Judaism and Jewish identity. It consists of two interlocking triangles and has deep historical, religious, and cultural significance.
Star of David
— Under Nazi rule, Jews were forced to wear a yellow Star of David badge on their clothing
— This was part of the Nazis’ attempt to publicly mark Jewish people and further segregate them from the rest of society
— In Jewish ghettos Jews were often required to display the Star of David as a form of social and physical separation’
— After World War II and the Holocaust, the Star of David, once a symbol of persecution, was reclaimed as a symbol of Jewish resilience, identity, and survival.
— The star is prominently featured on the flag of Israel, representing Jewish culture and faith.
Who was the leader of Iraq at the time of the 2003 invasion?
Saddam Hussein
Which U.S. president ordered the invasion of Afghanistan
George W. Bush
What year did the U.S. formally withdraw from Iraq
2011
Which major Afghan city fell first to U.S. forces in 2001?
Kabul
What was the name of the elite U.S. military unit that killed Osama bin Laden
Navy Seal Team 6
What year was Saddam Hussein executed?
2006
This refers to two major battles during the Iraq War, both of which were fought between U.S.-led coalition forces and Iraqi insurgents
The Battle of Fallujah
This mission involved A four-man SEAL reconnaissance team, led by Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy and aimed to target a high-ranking insurgent leader named Ahmad Shah
Operation Redwing
— While observing their target, the SEALs were discovered by local goat herders. After debating whether to kill or release them, the team let them go. Unfortunately, the herders likely informed the Taliban of the SEALs’ location.
— A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) aboard a MH-47 Chinook helicopter was sent to rescue the team. As they approached, the helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), killing all 16 personnel aboard (8 SEALs and 8 Army Night Stalkers from the 160th SOAR).
— Marcus Luttrell was the only survivor
This was an uprising in 1791-1794 of farmers and distillers in western Pennsylvania who protested a federal excise tax on whiskey. It was one of the first major challenges to the authority of the newly formed U.S. government
The Whiskey Rebellion
— In 1791, Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, proposed the whiskey tax as part of his financial plan to pay off national debt
— Many small farmers in western Pennsylvania relied on distilling whiskey as a source of income and often used it as currency in barter
— Farmers refused to pay the tax, harassed tax collectors, and even tarred and feathered some
— Washington, wanting to assert federal authority, personally led a militia of nearly 13,000 troops
— By the time the army arrived, the rebellion had mostly collapsed without significant fighting
— The whiskey tax remained unpopular and was eventually repealed in 1802 under Thomas Jefferson
