Lesson 9: Entering World War II

Question 1

Allies Definition

Answer 1

the World War II military alliance of Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States, China, and 45 other countries

Question 2

Appeasement Definition

Answer 2

the practice of giving in to aggression in order to avoid war

Question 3

Atlantic Charter Definition

Answer 3

a 1941 program developed by the United States and Britain that set goals for the postwar world

Question 4

Axis Definition

Answer 4

the World War II military alliance of Germany, Italy, Japan, and six other nations

Question 5

Battle of Britain Definition

Answer 5

Germany’s failed attempt to subdue Britain in 1940 in preparation for invasion

Question 6

Blitzkrieg Definition

Answer 6

the swift and powerful German military attacks in World War II; “lightning war”

Question 7

Lend-Lease Act Definition

Answer 7

the law that allowed the United States to sell arms and equipment to Britain during World War II

Question 8

Munich Conference Definition

Answer 8

a 1938 meeting of the leaders of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany at which an agreement was signed giving part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler

Question 9

Nazi-Soviet Pact Definition

Answer 9

an agreement signed between Hitler and Stalin in 1939 in which the two dictators agreed not to attack each other

Question 10

What did the totalitarian governments in Japan and Germany have in common? How did this cause tension? What had European leaders hoped for? What did the United States try to do?

Answer 10

The totalitarian governments that arose in Japan and Germany had strong imperial ambitions. They began advancing into surrounding territories. European leaders hoped to avoid war, and the United States was wary of getting involved. Yet the military aggression from these two nations would soon become impossible to ignore.

Question 11

In 1937, what did Japan begin in China? In the city of Nanjing, what massacre took place? What other atrocities were performed? What land did Japan occupy after beating China?

Answer 11

In 1937, Japan began an all-out war against China. Japanese planes bombed China’s major cities. Thousands of people were killed. In the city of Nanjing alone, some 300,000 civilians and prisoners of war were murdered in a six-week massacre. Japanese troops defeated Chinese armies and occupied northern and central China.

Question 12

Why did the Japanese advance into China alarm American leaders, especially due to the Open Door Policy (1899) and the nation of the Philippines? Did they take action? If not, why?

Answer 12

The Japanese advance into China alarmed American leaders. They felt it undermined the Open Door Policy, which promised equal access to trade in China. It also threatened the Philippines, which the United States controlled. Nevertheless, isolationist feelings remained strong among the American people and kept the United States from taking a firm stand against the Japanese.

Question 13

How did Americans respond to Japan’s invasion of China? What did the United States not want Japan to become? Why did they not support going to war with Japan, especially due to distance?

Answer 13

Americans were angered by Japan’s invasion of China. The United States did not want Japan to become an imperial power in Asia. However, the country did not support going to war against Japan. For many, the conflict in Asia was far away. It did not have a direct impact on their lives.

Question 14

How did President Franklin Delano Roosevelt react to Japan’s invasion of China? What did Roosevelt’s eventual economic pressure on Japan end up doing? Why?

Answer 14

President Roosevelt reacted to the invasion with a speech denouncing Japan’s “reign of terror and international lawlessness,” but he maintained his neutral stance. As you will read, Roosevelt would eventually try to apply economic pressure to Japan to halt its military aggression. However, Japan sped up its attacks. Japan is an island nation with limited natural resources. It had its eye on British and Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia that were rich in oil, rubber, and other raw materials that its military could use.

Question 15

Under what condition would the United States go to war with Japan?

Answer 15

Americans were concerned as the conflict in Asia spread. However, the United States would not go to war with Japan unless Japan attacked the United States directly.

Question 16

In 1938, what land did Hitler annex, two years after occupying the Rhineland, which violated the Treaty of Versailles? Did Britain and France take action? Later that year, what was Hitler’s justification for claiming the Sudetenland?

Answer 16

In Europe, Hitler continued his plans for German expansion. In 1938, just two years after occupying the Rhineland, Hitler annexed Austria. This action again violated the Treaty of Versailles. Once again, Britain and France took no action against Germany. Later that year, Hitler claimed the Sudetenland, the western part of Czechoslovakia. He justified his demand by claiming that the Sudetenland contained many people of German heritage.

Question 17

Although Britain and France signed treaties to protect Czechoslovakia why were they reluctant to go to war? In September 1938, what was the Munich Conference? What was agreed on at this Conference? What is appeasement?

Answer 17

Britain and France had signed treaties to protect Czechoslovakia but were reluctant to go to war. The two nations sought a peaceful solution. In September 1938, the leaders of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany met in Munich, Germany. At the Munich Conference, Hitler promised that Germany would seek no further territory once it had acquired the Sudetenland. To preserve the peace, Britain and France agreed that Germany should have the Sudetenland. This practice of giving in to aggression in order to avoid war is known as appeasement.

Question 18

Did Britain and France’s policy of appeasement work? What did Nazi Germany do the next year (1939)? At last, what did Britain and France realize?

Answer 18

The policy of appeasement failed. Nazi Germany seized the rest of Czechoslovakia the very next year. At last, Britain and France realized that they had to take a firm stand against Nazi aggression.

Question 19

Hitler set his eyes on Poland. In August 1939, what was the Nazi-Soviet Pact between Hitler and Stalin? What did it state? What did they secretly agree to?

Answer 19

Hitler next eyed Poland. In August 1939, he signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact with Stalin. The two rival dictators agreed not to attack each other. Secretly, they also agreed to divide Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe.

Question 20

In September 1939, what did Hitler launch against Poland? What is a blitzkrieg? What was the result? Why did Poland surrender? As this was happening, what was the Soviet Union doing in Eastern Poland and other nations? How did Stalin justify his actions?

Answer 20

In September 1939, Hitler launched a blitzkrieg, or lightning war, against Poland. This new tactic involved rushing concentrated forces with superior firepower into a specific area to scatter the enemy and penetrate deeply into enemy territory. Unable to withstand modern German planes and tanks, the Poles soon surrendered. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union seized eastern Poland. Stalin’s forces also invaded Finland and later annexed Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Stalin claimed that these steps were needed to build Soviet defenses.

Question 21

What did Britain and France do two days after Hitler’s invasion of Poland? What did this signify?

Answer 21

Two days after Hitler’s invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. A new world war had begun.

Question 22

In World War II who were the Axis Powers? Who were the Allies?

Answer 22

World War II was truly a global conflict. Military forces fought all over the world. Italy, Japan, and six other nations joined Germany to form the Axis powers. Opposing the Axis powers were the Allies. Before the war was over, the Allies would include Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States, China, and 45 other countries.

Question 23

In the spring of 1940, what did Hitler do? Which nations did he attack in April (1940)? Which nations did he attack in May (1940)? What did Italy do when Germany attacked France? What did Britain do to aid France? By May, where did the Germans force the British and the French to retreat? As Britain and France tried to escape, what did Germany do in Paris? On June 22, 1940, why did France surrender?

Answer 23

In the spring of 1940, Hitler’s armies marched north and west. In April, they smashed through Denmark and Norway. In May, they overran Holland and Belgium and pushed into France. Hitler’s ally, Italy, also attacked France. Britain sent troops to help France resist the assault. The British and French, however, were quickly overpowered. By May, the Germans had forced them to retreat to Dunkirk, a French port on the English Channel. In a bold action, the British sent every available ship across the channel to rescue the trapped soldiers. Unhindered, German armies entered France and marched on to Paris, the French capital. On June 22, 1940, barely six weeks later, France surrendered. The fall of France shocked the world.

Question 24

Even though Britain stood alone, why was their new Prime Minister Winston Churchill confident? What did Hitler’s plan to invade Britain, codenamed Operation Sea Lion, become? How did the Battle of Britain play out? By late 1940, why had Hitler given up on the invasion? How did the Battle of Britain make Americans anxious?

Answer 24

Britain now stood alone. Even so, the new prime minister, Winston Churchill, was confident. Hitler’s plan to invade Britain, codenamed Operation Sea Lion, became a massive air battle. German planes dropped bombs on London and other British cities during the Battle of Britain. British fighter pilots fought back, gunning down nearly 2,000 German planes. By late 1940, after months of bombing, Hitler gave up his planned invasion of Britain. In the United States, Americans listened to radio reports from London. Hearing of Britain’s brave stand against Hitler, Americans wondered how much longer they could stay out of the war.

Question 25

After the invasion of Poland, what did FDR announce? Who did most Americans favor? Despite this, what did they not favor?

Answer 25

After the invasion of Poland, President Roosevelt announced that the United States would remain neutral. He knew that most Americans favored the Allies but did not want to go to war.

Question 26

In an attempt to help the Allies, why did FDR asks for a repeal of the neutrality law that banned the sale of arms to warring nations? Although Isolationists blocked the move why was it enacted? What was the “cash-and-carry” plan? By 1940, what had Germany been doing to British ships? What did America and Britain agree on to combat this?

Answer 26

At the same time, Roosevelt sought ways to help the Allies. He asked Congress to repeal the neutrality law that banned the sale of arms to warring nations. Isolationists blocked the move, but FDR won a compromise. The United States could sell arms to the Allies under a “cash-and-carry” plan. The Allies had to pay cash for the goods and carry them away in their own ships. By 1940, German submarines had sunk many British ships. Roosevelt agreed to give Britain 50 old American destroyers. In exchange, Britain gave the United States 99-year leases on military bases in Newfoundland and the Caribbean.

Question 27

How did America move to prepare for war? What did Congress set up, and what made this draft different from others? Why did Isolationists oppose these moves, especially in Britain? What did Charles Lindbergh warn? Despite this, what did many other Americans believe?

Answer 27

The United States also took several steps to prepare for war. Congress approved greater spending for the army and navy and set up a military draft. It was the first time young men were required to serve in the army during peace. Isolationists opposed these moves, especially aid for Britain. “I have been forced to the conclusion that we cannot win this war for England, regardless of how much assistance we extend,” warned Charles Lindbergh, the hero pilot of the 1920s. Many other Americans, however, felt that the United States had no choice. If Britain fell, Hitler might control the Atlantic Ocean.

Question 28

How did the Election of 1940 play out? What was unique about FDR’s participation?

Answer 28

The threat of war persuaded FDR to run for a third term in 1940. His decision broke the precedent set by George Washington of serving only two terms as President. Republicans nominated Wendell Willkie, an Ohio businessman. Willkie was a strong critic of FDR’s New Deal. Still, he agreed with Roosevelt on many issues, such as sending aid to Britain. Both candidates also pledged not to send Americans into any foreign wars. Republicans—and some Democrats—criticized Roosevelt for breaking the two-term tradition. Still, the voters gave FDR a clear victory. After his defeat, Willkie worked to win Republican support for Roosevelt’s war aims.

Question 29

By late 1940, what was Britain running out of? What did Roosevelt suggest? What was his justification? Despite opposition from Isolationists, what was the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941? What did it state?

Answer 29

By late 1940, Britain was running out of cash. Roosevelt boldly suggested lending supplies to Britain. He proclaimed that Britain was defending democracy against totalitarian forces. Despite opposition from isolationists, Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941. It allowed sales or loans of war materials to “any country whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States.” Under Lend-Lease, the United States sent airplanes, tanks, guns, and ammunition to Britain and other Allied nations. British merchant ships transported the goods, with escorts of American warships providing protection as far as Iceland.

Question 30

In June 1941, what did Hitler do in the Soviet Union? What was significant about this invasion? For what two reasons was this invasion a turning point?

Answer 30

In June 1941, Hitler launched a surprise invasion of the Soviet Union. The attack, which took Soviet leadership off guard, was the largest invasion force in history. The invasion proved to be a vital turning point in the war, as it brought the Soviets over to the Allied side. It also meant that the Germans had to fight on two fronts instead of one.

Question 31

Even when the Soviet Union joined the Allies, how did much of the American public remain? Why did FDR agree to extend Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union? After much debate, how was it enacted?

Answer 31

Much of the American public remained anti-communist. President Roosevelt had condemned Stalin’s totalitarian rule, but he decided to extend Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union. After much debate, Congress approved extending the aid to the Soviets.

Question 32

In August 1941, what was the Atlantic Charter issued by FDR and Churchill? What did it state, and what three rules did it set up?

Answer 32

In August 1941, Roosevelt and Churchill issued the Atlantic Charter, which set goals for the postwar world. The two leaders agreed to seek no territory from the war. They pledged to support “the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live.” The charter also called for a “permanent system of general security” similar to the League of Nations.

Question 33

Remember: To Roosevelt, Japanese aggressions in Asia were as alarming as Germany’s advance through Europe. The Japanese had seized much of China. After Germany defeated France in 1940, Japan took control of French colonies in Southeast Asia. In September 1940, the Japanese signed an alliance with Germany and Italy.

Answer 33

To Roosevelt, Japanese aggressions in Asia were as alarming as Germany’s advance through Europe. The Japanese had seized much of China. After Germany defeated France in 1940, Japan took control of French colonies in Southeast Asia. In September 1940, the Japanese signed an alliance with Germany and Italy.

Question 34

In an attempt to quell Japanese aggressions, what did the United States enact? Why did this anger Japan?

Answer 34

The United States tried to stop Japanese aggression by refusing to sell oil and scrap metal to Japan. This embargo angered the Japanese because they badly needed these resources. “Sparks will fly before long,” predicted an American diplomat.

Question 35

What did Japanese and American officials do in November 1941, concerning the embargo? What did Japan want? What did the United States want? As the talks continued, what did Japan secretly plan?

Answer 35

Japanese and American officials met in November 1941. Japan asked the United States to lift its trade embargo. The United States called on Japan to withdraw its armies from China and Southeast Asia. Neither side would compromise. As the talks limped along, Japan completed plans for a secret attack on the United States.

Question 36

What happened on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor?

Answer 36

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, much of the American Pacific fleet was peacefully anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Suddenly, Japanese planes swept through the sky. In less than two hours, they sank or seriously damaged 19 American ships, destroyed almost 200 planes, and killed about 2,400 people.

Question 37

Why was the attack of Pearl Harbor a desperate gamble for Japanese leaders? Although they lacked supplies, what did they believe about Americans? How did the opposite happen?

Answer 37

The attack was a desperate gamble by Japanese leaders. They knew they lacked the resources to win a long war with the United States. They believed, however, that Americans were weak and had no stomach for fighting. The Japanese thought the sneak attack would force the United States to beg for peace immediately. Instead, Pearl Harbor united Americans in their determination to fight.

Question 38

What two other mistakes did Japan make at Pearl Harbor?

Answer 38

The Japanese made two other mistakes. First, they failed to sink the aircraft carriers stationed at Pearl Harbor. The carriers were at sea at the time of the attack. Second, the Japanese did not bomb the fuel oil tanks in Hawaii. Oil and aircraft carriers would become two keys to American victory in the war that followed.

Question 39

After Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1914, what did Congress do? What did Germany and Italy do in response?

Answer 39

Congress declared war on Japan. In response, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. Americans were now united in the cause of freedom. Even isolationists backed the war effort.

Question 40

How did the attack on Pearl Harbor have an immediate affect on American society?

Answer 40

The attack on Pearl Harbor had an immediate affect on Americans’ lives. Young men left schools and jobs to enter the war. The economy sped up to provide the necessary supplies. A new wartime society developed with a surge in patriotic feeling. For Japanese-, Italian-, and German-Americans, the war also brought difficulties. Many in the country viewed them with suspicion.