Study Guide WWll Flashcards
Why did the US pursue an isolationist policy during the 1930s?
the combination of the Great Depression and the memory of tragic losses in World War I contributed to pushing American public opinion and policy toward isolationism
What was FDR’s foreign policy?
He wanted to support Britain and France, but insisted on neutrality
What countries made up the Axis Powers?
Germany, Italy, and Japan
What countries made up the Allied Powers?
Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, along with China and Freed France
What event started WWII?
the German invasion of Poland
How did FDR attempt to halt Japanese aggression before the war?
To stop Japanese aggression, the United States placed an embargo on the export of scrap metal, oil, and aviation fuel to Japan. Roosevelt also responded by freezing Japanese assets in the United States and ending sales of oil to Japan.
How did the women and minorities benefit from the war?
World War II led many women and minority groups to take jobs in defense plants and factories around the country.
Why were Japanese Americans interred during the war?
Many Americans worried that citizens of Japanese ancestry would act as spies or saboteurs for the Japanese government. Fear and racial prejudice— not evidence — drove the U.S. to place over 127,000 Japanese-Americans in concentration camps for the duration of WWII.
Who was Rosie the Riveter? What was her purpose?
An iconic depiction of a Rosie is a wartime poster of a strong, confident female worker flexing her muscle with the words emblazoned above: “We Can Do It.” The Rosies were bold, breaking down barriers and proving, without a doubt, that women could accomplish the same tasks as men.
Why was rationing used during the war?
supply and demand issues, military needs, and the economy. Rationing also ensured equality of food distribution.
What was blitzkrieg? Was it effective?
Germany quickly overran much of Europe and was victorious for more than two years, the operations were undertaken when the enemy was unprepared and unable to react swiftly to the attacker’s offenses
Why was the control of North Africa vital for the Allies?
they needed to control the Suez Canal in order to obtain oil from the Middle East. The Allies needed to keep the vital flow of men and supplies going between North America and Europe
Where did D-Day occur? What was its impact on the war?
Normandy, France. The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together the land, air, and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history
Who won the Battle of Britain and why?
The British. The decisive factors were British capability and determination, but German mistakes, before and during the battle, contributed significantly to the outcome.
Why did the Germans lose the Battle of the Bulge?
The quick arrival of Allied reinforcements and the Americans’ tenacious defence of the vital road junctions at Bastogne and St Vith slowed the German advance. The offensive also required men and resources that Germany did not have. Fuel shortages were made worse by bad weather, which disrupted German supply lines.
What was island hopping? Where was it used?
The US “island hopping” strategy targeted key islands and atolls to capture and equip with airstrips, bringing B-29 bombers within range of the enemy homeland, while hopping over strongly defended islands, cutting off supply lanes and leaving them to wither.
It was used in Papua New Guinea.
Describe what happened after the Battle of Bataan.
the Bataan Death March began, forcing 60,000-80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war to march through the Philippines.
Why was the Battle of Midway significant?
This critical US victory stopped the growth of Japan in the Pacific and put the United States in a position to begin shrinking the Japanese empire through a years-long series of island-hopping invasions and several even larger naval battles.
Describe the battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was the largest naval battle of World War II and by some criteria the largest naval battle in history. It was a decisive air and sea battle of World War II that crippled the Japanese Combined Fleet, permitted U.S. invasion of the Philippines, and reinforced the Allies’ control of the Pacific.
Why did Americans suffer their greatest loss in the Pacific on Iwo Jima and Okinawa?
The Americans had suffered around 26,000 casualties in capturing the tiny island. U.S. casualties were staggering, the largest of the Pacific war.” More than 12,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors and Marines died during the fighting.
Describe the Manhattan Project
an unprecedented, top-secret World War II government program in which the United States rushed to develop and deploy the world’s first atomic weapons before Nazi Germany.
What were Truman’s reasons for using the atomic bomb?
Truman wanted to force a quick surrender by the Japanese to reduce the number of American lives lost.
What were the arguments against the atomic bomb?
The major arguments against the bomb are as follows: 1) using the bomb was immoral; 2) Truman’s demand for an unconditional surrender hindered the Japanese peace faction; 3) offshore demonstration of the bomb would have sufficed; 4) Japan wartime leaders were soon to surrender; 5) invasion was a more humane alternative; and 6) there were ulterior motives such as warning off the Soviets or justifying the development expense of the Manhattan Project by demonstration on a human target.
Where and when were the atomic bombs dropped?
On 6 and 9 August 1945, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively.
