Lesson 11: Winning a Deadly War

Question 1

Bataan Death March Definition

Answer 1

the long trek across the Philippines that American and Filipino prisoners of war were forced to make by the Japanese in 1942

Question 2

Battle of Midway Definition

Answer 2

a 1942 battle in the Pacific during which American planes sank four Japanese aircraft carriers

Question 3

Battle of the Bulge Definition

Answer 3

a German counterattack in December 1944 that temporarily slowed the Allied invasion of Germany

Question 4

Concentration Camps Definition

Answer 4

the camps used by the Nazis to imprison “undesirable” members of society

Question 5

D-Day Definition

Answer 5

(June 6, 1944) the day of the invasion of Western Europe by Allied forces

Question 6

Death Camps Definition

Answer 6

the camps where people were systematically murdered

Question 7

Holocaust Definition

Answer 7

the slaughter of Europe’s Jews by the Nazis before and during World War II

Question 8

Island-hopping Definition

Answer 8

during World War II, an Allied strategy of capturing Japanese-held islands to gain control of the Pacific

Question 9

Kamikaze Definition

Answer 9

a World War II Japanese pilot trained to make a suicidal crash attack, usually upon a ship

Question 10

Navajo Code-talkers Definition

Answer 10

during World War II, the Navajo soldiers who used their own language to radio vital messages during the island-hopping campaign

Question 11

Nuremberg Trials Definition

Answer 11

the Nazi war-crimes trials held in 1945 and 1946

Question 12

Operation Overlord Definition

Answer 12

the code name for the Allied invasion of Europe in 1944

Question 13

Potsdam Declaration Definition

Answer 13

a message sent by the Allies in July 1945 calling for Japanese surrender

Question 14

How did Adolf Hitler react to the attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)? What did he now believe and do?

Answer 14

When Adolf Hitler learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was delighted. “Now it is impossible for us to lose the war,” he predicted. “We now have an ally who has never been vanquished in 3,000 years.” Although Germany’s alliance with Japan did not require it, Hitler promptly declared war on the United States.

Question 15

In early 1942, how was the situation of the Allies? By this time, what territories had the German army occupied? How were German submarines effecting the Allies’s ship production? What was Japan doing at this time? How did this divide American forces? What did the Allies have to do to change the tide of battle in 1943?

Answer 15

In early 1942, the situation looked bleak for the Allies. German armies occupied most of Europe and much of North Africa. The German war machine seemed unbeatable. German submarines were sinking ships faster than the Allies could replace them. Most of Europe was in Axis hands. Meanwhile, Japan was sweeping across Asia and the Pacific. American forces were divided between two fronts. It was not until 1943 that the tide of battle turned. It took time for the Allies to develop new strategies, weapons, and forces to fight back Hitler and win the war in Japan.

Question 16

In the summer of 1941, which Soviet Union cities were German armies closing in on? What did the Soviets do in an attempt to hinder the Germans? How did the Russian winter hinder Germany? During the 900-day siege of Leningrad, beginning in the fall of 1941, how many people died? What was the predominant cause of their deaths? (German Invasion of Soviet Union)

Answer 16

In the Soviet Union, German armies were closing in on Moscow, Leningrad, and Stalingrad during the summer of 1941. The Soviets resisted heroically. They burned crops and destroyed farm equipment so that the Germans could not use them. The harsh Russian winter that followed also greatly hindered the German advance. Still, the German attack caused terrible hardships. During the 900-day siege of Leningrad that began in the fall of 1941, more than one million Russian men, women, and children died, mostly of starvation.

Question 17

While Germany was invading the Soviet Union, what was Japan doing in the Pacific? Which islands had they captured after the bombings of Pearl Harbor?

Answer 17

Meanwhile, Japanese forces were on the move in the Pacific. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, they seized Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Question 18

General Douglas MacArthur commanded U.S. forces in which region? How did a lack of troops pose a problem, in terms of area? What did American and Filipino troops do in the Philippines and Bataan, under General Douglas MacArthur? What was the general forced to do in the end? Despite this, what number of troops went back to defend Bataan? What happened to them? What did General MacArthur promise? After this, what advances did Japan make?

Answer 18

General Douglas MacArthur commanded United States forces in the Southwest Pacific. With few troops, MacArthur had to defend a huge area. He directed American and Filipino troops in the defense of the Philippines and the island of Bataan. They fought bravely against enormous odds. In the end, MacArthur was forced to withdraw. However, about 75,000 American and Filipino troops left to defend Bataan were captured. Nonetheless, MacArthur announced from the safety of Australia: “I shall return.” The Japanese pressed on. They captured Malaya, Burma, and the Dutch East Indies. They threatened India to the west and Australia and New Zealand to the south.

Question 19

To succeed against the Axis powers, what did the Allies have to do? Even before Pearl Harbor, what had American and British leaders agreed on, in terms of who to attack? (Allies Strategy)

Answer 19

To succeed against the Axis powers, the Allies had to agree on a strategy. Even before Pearl Harbor, American and British leaders had decided that the Allies must defeat Germany and Italy first. Then, they would send their combined forces to fight Japan.

Question 20

Who was Chester Nimitz? Where did he send Allied naval forces in May 1942? After a three day battle, what were the results? What was monumental about this battle, in terms of naval warfare?

Answer 20

Adopting a “beat Hitler first” strategy did not mean abandoning the war in the Pacific. Chester Nimitz, commander of Allied forces in the Pacific, sent a naval task force into the Coral Sea near Java in May 1942. The task force, strengthened by aircraft carriers that had survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, met a Japanese fleet there. After a three-day battle, the Japanese fleet turned back. It was the first naval battle in history in which the ships never engaged one another directly. All the damage was done by airplanes from the carriers.

Question 21

After Commander Chester Nimitz’s victory in the Coral Sea, in May 1942, what did the U.S. Navy do at the Battle of Midway? What was the impact of this battle?

Answer 21

One month later, the United States Navy won a stunning victory at the Battle of Midway. American planes sank four Japanese aircraft carriers. The battle severely hampered the Japanese offensive. It also kept Japan from attacking Hawaii again.

Question 22

After some success in the Pacific, what were the Allies doing to German forces in Africa? In October 1942, what did the British do at El Alamein, Egypt? As a result, where were German forces under General Erwin Rommel driven to? What did American forces, under Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, and George S. Patton, do in Morocco and Algeria? What did Rommel do in May 1943, after being trapped by Allied forces?

Answer 22

Allied forces began to push back the Germans in North Africa. In October 1942, the British won an important victory at El Alamein in Egypt (Battle of El Alamein; 1942). German forces under General Erwin Rommel were driven west into Tunisia. Meanwhile, American troops under the command of Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, and George S. Patton landed in Morocco and Algeria. They then pushed east. Allied armies trapped Rommel’s forces in Tunisia. In May 1943, his army had to surrender.

Question 23

After forcing German General Erwin Rommel to surrender in Africa, what were the Allies planning to do in Italy? What did they do to Sicily? In early September 1943, where did they go? By then, what had happen to Mussolini in Italy? Who occupied Italy now? After many bloody battles, what happened on June 4, 1944? Why was this significant? (Invasion of Italy)

Answer 23

From bases in North Africa, the Allies organized the invasion of Italy. They used paratroopers and soldiers brought by sea to capture the island of Sicily. In early September 1943, the Allies crossed from Sicily to the mainland of Italy. By then, Mussolini had been overthrown as leader of Italy. The Germans, however, still occupied much of Italy. In a series of bloody battles, the Allies slowly fought their way up the peninsula. On June 4, 1944, Allied troops marched into Rome. It was the first European capital to be freed from Nazi control.

Question 24

What did the Soviet Army do in Leningrad in 1943? What did they do in Stalingrad, after months of fighting? How were they pushing back German forces? How was fighting in Russia and East Europe? How many soldiers did the Soviet Union lose?

Answer 24

The Soviet army repelled the Germans from Leningrad in 1943. At Stalingrad, after months of fierce house-to-house fighting, Soviet soldiers forced the invading German army to surrender (Battle of Stalingrad; 1942-1943). Slowly, the Soviet army pushed the remaining German forces westward through Eastern Europe. Fighting in Russia and Eastern Europe was fierce. The Soviet Union would eventually lose some 9 million soldiers during the war, more than any other country.

Question 25

For years, why had Stalin wanted Britain and America to send armies across the English Chanel into France? When were Churchill and FDR ready to do such an action?

Answer 25

For years, Stalin had urged Britain and the United States to send armies across the English Channel into France. Such an attack would create a second front in Western Europe and ease pressure in the East. However, not until 1944 were Churchill and Roosevelt prepared to attempt an invasion of Western Europe.

Question 26

What was Operation Overlord? What was General Eisenhower appointed as? What difficult tasks was he assigned? By June 1944, how many troops were ready for the invasion?

Answer 26

Years of planning went into Operation Overlord, the code name for the invasion of Europe (promised by Churchill and FDR). General Eisenhower was appointed commander of Allied forces in Europe. He faced an enormous task. He had to organize a huge army, ferry it across the English Channel, and provide it with ammunition, food, and other supplies. By June 1944, almost 3 million troops were ready for the invasion.

Question 27

What did the Germans do to prepare for the invasion described in Operation Overlord?

Answer 27

The Germans knew that an attack was coming, but not when or where. To guard against the Allied invasion, they had mined beaches and strung barbed wire along the entire French coastline. Machine guns and concrete antitank walls stood ready to stop an advance.

Question 28

What happened on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day? What events followed? What was “Bloody Omaha”? (Invasion of Normandy; 1944)

Answer 28

In the early morning of June 6, 1944—D-Day as it was known—a fleet of 4,000 Allied ships carried the invasion force to France. Allied airplanes dropped thousands of paratroopers into occupied France. Gliders landed in the French fields to deliver yet more troops and supplies. Allied warships shelled German defenses in preparation for the attack. But most of the invasion came from troop landings on five different beaches along Normandy. Allied troops scrambled ashore, with particularly tough resistance at a location codenamed Omaha Beach. Before the attack was over, 2,400 American casualties resulted at “Bloody Omaha.” Eventually Allied forces captured all five beaches.

Question 29

How did Allied forces continue to fight to push the Germans out of France? What were the conditions? Why had fighting after D-Day slowed? At the end of June, what port did the Allies capture, which was significant in their liberation of France? What did the Allies do on August 25, 1944? Within a month, what happened in France?

Answer 29

Despite intense German gunfire and heavy losses, Allied forces surged on to capture more territory along the coast of France. Every day, more soldiers landed at Normandy to reinforce the advance. However, fighting after D-Day was extremely slow and dangerous due to French farm fields that provided thick cover for the enemy. But the Allied ground troops fought stubbornly and pushed German forces back. The Allied liberation of France continued with the capture of Cherbourg, an important French port, by the end of June. Then the Allies swept east and, on August 25, 1944, they entered Paris. After four years under Nazi rule, the Parisians greeted their liberators with joy. Within a month, all of France was free.

Question 30

After liberating France, what were the Allies doing by September? What slowed their advance?

Answer 30

By September, the Allies were moving east toward Germany. However, a shortage of truck fuel slowed the advance.

Question 31

On December 16, 1944, what did the Germans launch? What was the Battle of the Bulge? What inconvenience did Germany experience that allowed the Allies to maintain their ground?

Answer 31

On December 16, 1944, German forces began a fierce counterattack. They pushed the Allies back, creating a bulge in the front lines. During the Battle of the Bulge, as it was later called, the outnumbered American forces held the Germans back. Because of a fuel shortage, Germany was unable to power its tanks through the American defense. This hindered the German forces, allowing the Allies to maintain their ground.

Question 32

What effect did the Battle of the Bulge have on the Allies? While Allied armies advanced on the ground, what were their planes doing? At night, what did British airmen do? What did Americans do by day? What effect did this have on Germany?

Answer 32

The Battle of the Bulge slowed the Allies but did not stop them. While Allied armies advanced on the ground, Allied planes bombed Germany. At night, British airmen dropped tons of bombs on German cities. By day, the Americans bombed factories and oil refineries. The bombing caused severe fuel shortages in Germany and reduced the nation’s ability to produce war goods.

Question 33

By mid-1944, what were the headlines, concerning the war? What did FDR do, breaking all tradition? Who was his Republican opponent? How was FDR feeling during his campaign? In the end, what percentage of the votes did FDR and his running mate, Harry S. Truman of Missouri, win?

Answer 33

By mid-1944, the Allied advance in Europe shared headlines in American newspapers with the upcoming election. Breaking all tradition, President Roosevelt ran for a fourth term. His Republican opponent was Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York. Roosevelt was tired and ill. “All that is within me cries to go back to my home on the Hudson,” he wrote. Still, he and his running mate, Senator Harry S. Truman of Missouri, campaigned strongly. Roosevelt won more than 54 percent of the vote.

Question 34

In early April 1945, what happened to Franklin Delano Roosevelt?

Answer 34

In early April 1945, FDR was on vacation in Georgia. While he was sitting to have his portrait painted, the President complained of a headache. Within hours, he was dead.

Question 35

How did the world and Americans react to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s passing? What responsibility did Harry S. Truman now have to take up?

Answer 35

All over the world, people mourned Roosevelt. His death especially shocked Americans. After 12 years, many could hardly remember any other President. As for Truman, he was faced with taking over a country in the midst of war. “I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me,” he later recalled.

Question 36

By April 1945, what condition was Germany in? How were American troops and Soviet troops closing in? On April 25, 1945, where did they meet? What did Hitler do as Allied air raids pounded Berlin? On May 7, 1945, what German finally do? On May 8, 1945, what were the Allies celebrating? What was V-E Day?

Answer 36

By April 1945, Germany was collapsing. American troops were closing in on Berlin from the west. Soviet troops were advancing from the east. On April 25, American and Soviet troops met at Torgau, 60 miles south of Berlin.
As Allied air raids pounded Berlin, Hitler hid in his underground bunker. Unwilling to accept defeat, he committed suicide. One week later, on May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allies. On May 8, the Allies celebrated the long-awaited V-E Day—Victory in Europe.

Question 37

What were the United States’ two main goals in the Pacific War against Japan? What was the difficulty of these tasks? What were Japanese soldiers trained to do?

Answer 37

While war raged in Europe, the Allies kept up pressure on Japan. The United States had two main goals in the Pacific war: to regain the Philippines and to invade Japan. Both tasks would prove difficult. American forces encountered stubborn resistance as they advanced into Japanese territories. Japanese soldiers were trained not to surrender, even if it was clear they were not going to win.

Question 38

To gain control of the Pacific Ocean, how did American forces utilize a strategy of island-hopping? What deadly routine, with three steps, developed as a result?

Answer 38

To gain control of the Pacific Ocean, American forces used a strategy of capturing some Japanese-held islands and going around others. In this island-hopping campaign, each island that was won became another steppingstone to Japan. A deadly routine developed. First, American ships and planes shelled and bombed an island. Next, troops waded ashore under heavy gunfire. Then, in hand-to-hand fighting, Americans overcame fierce Japanese resistance.

Question 39

How did Navajo soldier make a key contribution to the American strategy of island-hopping in the Pacific? Who were Navajo code-talkers? Why were they helpful when the Japanese intercepted their messages?

Answer 39

Navajo soldiers made a key contribution to American strategy in the Pacific. Using their own language, they radioed vital messages from island to island. The Japanese intercepted the messages but were unable to understand these Navajo code-talkers.

Question 40

In October 1944, what did American forces under General MacArthur do in the Philippines? In many hard-fought battles, what two other Pacific islands did the Allies take? Why was the island of Iwo Jima important? What was Okinawa going to be used for?

Answer 40

In October 1944, American forces under General MacArthur finally recaptured the Philippines. In hard-fought battles, other Pacific Allied forces then captured the islands of Iwo Jima (EE woh JEE muh) and Okinawa (oh kuh NAH wuh) from the Japanese. Capturing Iwo Jima was important because of the air base located there. Okinawa, just 340 miles from the mainland of Japan, was intended to be used as a launching point for the invasion of Japan.

Question 41

For the Japanese, how did defending their homeland become a desperate struggle? What did Japanese leaders stress? What was Bushido? What were kamikazes?

Answer 41

For the Japanese, defending their homeland became a desperate struggle. Japanese leaders stressed an ancient code known as Bushido, or the Way of the Warrior. It emphasized loyalty, honor, and sacrifice. To surrender was to “lose face” or be dishonored. In suicide missions, kamikaze (kah muh KAH zee) pilots loaded old planes with bombs and then deliberately crashed them into Allied ships.

Question 42

By April 1945, what were American forces in the proximity to do? What was the result of this? Despite, bombings and much suffering, what did Japanese leaders promise?

Answer 42

By April 1945, American forces were close enough to launch attacks against the Japanese home islands. American bombers pounded factories and cities. American warships bombarded the coast and sank ships. The Japanese people suffered terribly. Yet, their leaders promised a glorious victory. United States military leaders made plans to invade Japan in the autumn. They warned that the invasion might cost between 150,000 and 250,000 American casualties.

Question 43

In July 1945, where did Truman, Churchill, and Stalin meet? While there, what information did Truman receive? What was the Potsdam Declaration?

Answer 43

Truman, Churchill, and Stalin met at Potsdam, Germany, in July 1945. While there, Truman received word that American scientists had successfully tested a secret new weapon, the atomic bomb. A single bomb was powerful enough to destroy an entire city. Some scientists believed that it was too dangerous to use. From Potsdam, the Allied leaders sent a message warning Japan to surrender or face “prompt and utter destruction.” Japanese leaders did not know about the destructive power of the atomic bomb. They ignored the Potsdam Declaration.

Question 44

On August 6, 1945, what did American bomber Ebola Gay do in Hiroshima, Japan? What did it do on August 9, 1945? What were the casualties of both of these bombings?

Answer 44

On August 6, 1945, the American bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The blast destroyed most of the city, killing at least 70,000 people and injuring an equal number. On August 9, a second atomic bomb was dropped, on Nagasaki. About 40,000 residents died instantly. In both Nagasaki and Hiroshima, many more people later died from the effects of atomic radiation.

Question 45

On August 14, 1945, what did the Japanese emperor announce? When did a formal surrender take place?

Answer 45

On August 14, 1945, the emperor of Japan announced that his nation would surrender. The formal surrender took place on September 2 aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The warship flew the same American flag that had waved over Washington, D.C., on the day that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Question 46

Remember: V-J (“Victory in Japan”) Day sparked wild celebrations across the United States. People honked their car horns. Soldiers and sailors danced in victory parades. World War II was over at last

Answer 46

V-J (“Victory in Japan”) Day sparked wild celebrations across the United States. People honked their car horns. Soldiers and sailors danced in victory parades. World War II was over at last

Question 47

Remember: World War II was the deadliest war in history. The exact number of casualties will probably never be known. However, historians estimate that between 30 million and 60 million people were killed.

Answer 47

World War II was the deadliest war in history. The exact number of casualties will probably never be known. However, historians estimate that between 30 million and 60 million people were killed.

Question 48

How did World War I and World War II differ in where they were fought? How did World War II affect civilians? By 1945, how many were homeless? What portion of the deaths from WWII were civilian?

Answer 48

World War I had been fought mainly in trenches in Europe. In World War II, fighting occurred on the land, sea, and air throughout many parts of the world. The war affected civilians more than any other war. Bombers destroyed houses, factories, and farms. By 1945, millions were homeless and had no way to earn a living. Well over half of the deaths from the war were civilians.

Question 49

After the war, what horrifying stories did Americans hear? What was the Bataan Death March in 1942?

Answer 49

After the war, Americans heard horrifying stories of the brutal mistreatment of prisoners of war. When the Japanese captured the Philippines in 1942, they forced about 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners to march 65 miles with little food or water. About 10,000 prisoners died or were killed during the Bataan Death March.

Question 50

What was the Holocaust? What were the devastating casualties produced by it?

Answer 50

In the last months of the European war, Allied forces uncovered other horrors. The Allies had heard about Nazi concentration camps. These camps were areas where members of specially designated groups were confined. Some concentration camps were death camps, where people were systematically murdered. As they advanced into Germany and Eastern Europe, the Allies discovered the full extent of the Holocaust, the slaughter of Europe’s Jews by the Nazis. During the war, the Nazis imprisoned Jews from Germany and the nations they conquered. More than 6 million Jews were tortured and murdered. Nearly 6 million Poles, Slavs, and Gypsies were also victims of the death camps. Nazis killed many prisoners of war, as well as people they considered unfit because of physical or mental disabilities. Many people the Nazis thought were “undesirable” were also put to death, including homosexuals, beggars, drunkards, and political enemies.

Question 51

After learning of the truth about the Holocaust, what did the Allies decide to do? In 1945 to 1946, what were the Nuremberg Trials? As a result, how many Nazi leaders were sentenced to death? Where were thousands of others sent? What did the Allies do with Japanese leaders?

Answer 51

As the full truth of the Holocaust was revealed, the Allies decided to put Nazi leaders on trial. In 1945 and 1946, they conducted war crimes trials in Nuremberg, Germany. As a result of the Nuremberg Trials, 12 Nazi leaders were sentenced to death. Thousands of other Nazis were imprisoned. The Allies also tried and executed Japanese leaders accused of war crimes.

Question 52

Remember: Americans looked ahead to life after such a devastating war. But more than ever before, the United States would have a critical influence on world affairs. The daunting task of moving on presented many challenges. How would Europe be rebuilt? What would happen to Germany? How would the emergence of the Soviet Union as a world power affect democracy around the world? In the wake of two terrible world wars, how could peace be maintained? World leaders struggled with these problems as a new modern era came to pass.

Answer 52

Americans looked ahead to life after such a devastating war. But more than ever before, the United States would have a critical influence on world affairs. The daunting task of moving on presented many challenges. How would Europe be rebuilt? What would happen to Germany? How would the emergence of the Soviet Union as a world power affect democracy around the world? In the wake of two terrible world wars, how could peace be maintained? World leaders struggled with these problems as a new modern era came to pass.