Lesson 9: Entering World War II Flashcards
Allies Definition
the World War II military alliance of Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States, China, and 45 other countries
Appeasement Definition
the practice of giving in to aggression in order to avoid war
Atlantic Charter Definition
a 1941 program developed by the United States and Britain that set goals for the postwar world
Axis Definition
the World War II military alliance of Germany, Italy, Japan, and six other nations
Battle of Britain Definition
Germany’s failed attempt to subdue Britain in 1940 in preparation for invasion
Blitzkrieg Definition
the swift and powerful German military attacks in World War II; “lightning war”
Lend-Lease Act Definition
the law that allowed the United States to sell arms and equipment to Britain during World War II
Munich Conference Definition
a 1938 meeting of the leaders of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany at which an agreement was signed giving part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler
Nazi-Soviet Pact Definition
an agreement signed between Hitler and Stalin in 1939 in which the two dictators agreed not to attack each other
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
Under what condition would the United States go to war with Japan?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
What did Britain and France do two days after Hitler’s invasion of Poland? What did this signify?
Two days after Hitler’s invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. A new world war had begun.
In World War II who were the Axis Powers? Who were the Allies?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
