Unit 9: WWII Flashcards
What is fascism?
A political philosophy that stresses the glory of the state over the individual and that favors dictatorship
What is communism?
a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed; belief that all people should share ownership of property
Adolf Hitler’s Beliefs (Mein Kempf)
Hitler wrote the first volume of Mein Kempf while in prison. It laid out his nationalistic and anti-Semitic views, and his plans for Germany and the world he sought to create when he came to power. Obsessed with race and “ethnic purity,” Hitler saw a natural order that placed the so-called “Aryan race” at the top. For him, the people would find it’s truest incarnation of unity only with one supreme leader, or Fuhrer (not a democratic or parliamentary government.
“Stab in the Back” Myth
The stab-in-the-back myth was an antisemitic conspiracy theory, widely believed and promulgated in right-wing circles in Germany after 1918. The belief was that the German Army did not lose World War I on the battlefield, but was instead betrayed by the civilians on the home front, especially Jews, revolutionary socialists who fomented strikes and labor unrest,[1] and other republican politicians who had overthrown the Hohenzollern monarchy in the German Revolution of 1918–1919. Advocates of the myth denounced the German government leaders who had signed the Armistice on 11 November 1918 as the “November criminals” (German: Novemberverbrecher).
When Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in 1933, they made the legend an integral part of their official history of the 1920s, portraying the Weimar Republic as the work of the “November criminals” who had “stabbed the nation in the back” in order to seize power. The Nazi propaganda depicted Weimar as “a morass of corruption, degeneracy, national humiliation, ruthless persecution of the honest ‘national opposition’—fourteen years of rule by Jews, Marxists, and ‘cultural Bolsheviks’, who had at last been swept away by the National Socialist movement under Hitler and the victory of the ‘national revolution’ of 1933”.[2]
Historians inside and outside Germany unanimously reject the myth, pointing out the German Army was out of reserves, was being overwhelmed by the entrance of the United States into the war, and by late 1918 had lost the war militarily.
Lebenstraum
Mein Kempf also addressed the need for lebenstraum (or living space.) In order for Germany to fulfill it’s destiny, it should take over lands to the East that were occupied by “inferior” Slavic peoples - including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Russia.
Third Reich
When Hitler was named as chancellor, January 30, 1933, it marked the birth of the “Third Reich,” or as the Nazi’s called it, the “Thousand-Year Reich,” after HItler’s boast that it would endure for a millenium.
How Hitler rose to power
Though the Nazi party never got more than 37% of the vote at the height of their popularity in 1932, HItler was able to grab absolute power in Germany largely due to divisions and inaction among the majority who opposed Nazism. After a fire at Germany’s parliament building, Hitler had an excuse to step up the political oppression and violence against his opponents.
What countries did Hitler initially invade and occupy?
In March 1936, HItler ordered troops into Germany’s Rhineland even though the Versailles treaty forbade Germany from having troops in this area. Next, he insisted German-speaking Austria be unified with Germany. Then, he claimed that German-speaking people in the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia were being mistreated and declared Germany’s right to the territory.
Appeasement and Neville Chamberlain
Czechoslovakia was ready to fight back against Germany. However, Britain and France thought they could avoid the outbreak of war by giving in to Germany’s demands - this is a policy known as appeasement. In 1938, European leaders met and they told Czechoslovakia to give up the Sudetenland or fight Germany on it’s own. In return, HItler pledged not to seek further expansion of German territory. British leader Neville Chamberlain declared the deal would bring “peace in our time.” However, HItler soon broke his promise and German troops took the rest of Czechoslovakia. He also planned to invade Poland, which bordered the Soviet Union.
Official start of WWII
On September 1, 1939, Hitler sent his armies into Poland. Two days later, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany and World War II had begun.
What countries were involved in WWII and who were their leaders?
USA - Franklin D. Roosevelt Soviet Union - Joseph Stalin Germany - Adolf Hitler Italy - Benito Mussolini Japan - Emperor Hirohito England - Winston Churchill
Blitzkrieg
Germany’s military tactic means “lightning war.” It was designed to create disorganization among enemy forces through the use of mobile forces and locally concentrated firepower. Its success led to shorter battles, which preserved human lives and limits the expenditure of artillery. Germany used the blitzkrieg tactic successfully in Poland, and then again in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.
Battle of Britain
After Germany conquered France, Britain stood alone against Germany in Europe. Britain’s success would depend on their Royal Air Force’s ability to defend against German attacks. Germany was unable to launch a sea invasion of Britain, so they launched what would the first all-air battle in history. Britain had some advantages like a strong air defense system, great fighter pilots, and a strong leader in Air Marshall Hugh Dowding. Initially, the Germans attacked British air bases in which both sides suffered heavy losses. Later, the Germans switched strategies and focused on heavy bombing of London. The first London attach was successful for Germany. But, the second was a failure which led to heavy losses and a collapse of morale. As a result, Hitler permanently postponed a landing on the British Isles and suspended the Battle of Britain.
Lend-Lease Act and U.S. Neutrality
Initially, the U.S. did not want war, and Roosevelt vowed to remain neutral. Isolationists promoted the idea that the U.S. should stay out of Europe’s problems. In March 1941, U.S. Congress passed this act, which allowed the U.S. to sell, lend, or lease weapons to any country “vital to the defense of the U.S.” Isolationists opposed the law, as they believed it would push America closer to war.
Hitler invades the Soviet Union
After Germany’s defeat in Britain, Hitler decided Germany needed the Soviet Union’s resources and land as “living space.” In June 1941, he broke his agreement with Stalin and attacked the Soviet Union. In the early phase of the invasion, German troops destroyed Soviet planes and tanks and captured half a million Soviet soldiers. Stalin ordered a scorched-earth policy. The Soviets burned their cities, destroyed their crops, and blew up their dams that provided power. This made it harder for the Germans to supply their troops and to keep advancing.
Battle of Stalingrad
In the Battle of Stalingrad (23 August 1942 – 2 February 1943), Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd) in Southern Russia. The battle was marked by fierce close-quarters combat and direct assaults on civilians in air raids. The Battle of Stalingrad was the deadliest battle to take place during the Second World War[19] and is one of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare, with an estimated 2 million total casualties.[20] The battle marked a turning point in the war as it forced the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (German High Command) to withdraw considerable military forces from other theaters of war to replace their losses on the eastern front.[21] The victory at Stalingrad energized the Red Army and shifted the balance of power in the favor of the Soviets.
Pearl Harbor
On Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked the United States military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan’s goal was to destroy the U.S.’s Pacific fleet. U.S. Navy ships, anchored in a neat row, and airplanes grouped together on the airfield made easy targets for the Japanese. The people at Pearl Harbor were taken completely by surprise. The attack destroyed many ships and airplanes, and more than 2,300 people were killed, and more than 1,000 were injured. On December 11, U.S. Congress declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy and joined the war as part of the Allies against the Axis.
U.S. Home Front and Propaganda After Pearl Harbor
After Pearl Harbor and once U.S. troops were sent to the front lines, hundreds of artists were put to work to create posters that would rally support on the home front. Citizens were invited to purchase war bonds and take on factory jobs to support production needs for the military. As men were sent to battlefields, women were asked to branch out and take on jobs as riveters, welders, and electricians. To preserve resources for the war efforts, posters asked people to save gas, not to waste food, and urged people to collect scrap metal.
Japanese Americans and Executive Order 9066
Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 with the intention of preventing espionage on American shores. Military zones were created in California, Oregon, and Washington (states with a large population of Japanese American citizens) and the order commanded the relocation of those people to the military zones (internment camps).
Battle of Midway
Six months after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. defeated Japan in one of the most decisive battles of WWII. After breaking the Japanese secret codes, the U.S. knew what Japan was planning and prepared to intercept their attack. The Americans then sank 4 Japanese fleet carrier ships and one heavy cruiser. Many point to this battle as the turning point in the Pacific war. After Midway, the Americans were able to continue island hopping all the way to Tokyo.
Election of 1944
The election took place during World War II. Incumbent Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Republican Thomas E. Dewey to win an unprecedented fourth term.
D-Day
June 6, 1944, was D-Day, which was the beginning of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France and Europe. Dwight D. Eisenhower of the U.S. was in charge of the Allied attack, which had been called “Operation Overlord.” Thousands of paratroopers and glider troops were initially dropped behind enemy lines. Then, amphibious invasions of the beaches at Normandy started at dawn. U.S. forces faced heavy opposition at Omaha beach, and they took over 2,000 casualties. However, by the end of the day, about 156,000 Allied troops successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches.
General Patton and the Third Army
After victory in North Africa, the Allies moved into southern Europe. They took the island of Sicily and landed on Italy’s mainland in September 1943. U.S. General George Patton and the Third Army advanced through Italy, and Benito Mussolini was forced from power. Italy’s new government then surrendered to the Allies. Meanwhile, the Allies continued re-taking France after the victory on D-Day at Normandy.
Battle of the Bulge
Called “the greatest American battle of the war” by Winston Churchill, the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes region of Belgium was Adolf Hitler’s last major offensive in World War II against the Western Front. Hitler’s aim was to split the Allies in their drive toward Germany. The German troops’ failure to divide Britain, France and America with the Ardennes offensive paved the way to victory for the allies.
Lasting six brutal weeks, from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, the assault, also called the Battle of the Ardennes, took place during frigid weather conditions, with some 30 German divisions attacking battle-fatigued American troops across 85 miles of the densely wooded Ardennes Forest. As the Germans drove into the Ardennes, the Allied line took on the appearance of a large bulge, giving rise to the battle’s name. The battle proved to be the costliest ever fought by the U.S. Army, which suffered over 100,000 casualties. The formerly serene, wooded region of Ardennes was hacked into chaos by fighting as the Americans dug in against the German advance at St.-Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize and, later, Bastogne, which was defended by the 101st Airborne Division. Claiming victory of the battle on January 25, 1945, and the Allies headed for Berlin. The war ended less than five months later with Germany’s May 7 surrender.
Yalta Conference
The Yalta conference was a meeting between Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin in February 1945. The three discussed terms of the post-war fate of defeated Germany and the rest of Europe, and the formation of the United Nations. It secured Russian aid in the war in the Pacific, split Germany up into four sections after war would end, and gave Stalin a buffer in Eastern Europe to protect against future attacks.
General Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, and Berlin
Eisenhower did not advance to Berlin, as he thought it was too costly to take it, and it no longer would be valuable enough since it had been so heavily bombed by allied forces. However, Russian troops continued on to Berlin.
The Holocaust
Hitler and the Nazis agreed on what they called “the final solution” to destroy the Jews. The Nazis rounded up Jews and hauled them away to ghettos in Poland.
They built death camps called concentration camps and hauled the Jews there to be exterminated. As the Allies closed-in, the Germans then led Jews from the caps on “death marches” further into the German interior away from the Allies. At the end of the war, the nation of Israel was created as a place for Jewish holocaust survivors to live.
Roosevelt’s Death
President Roosevelt did not live to share the joy of victory. He died unexpectedly while on vacation in April 1945, just a few weeks before the Allies declared victory in Europe. He led the U.S. for 12 difficult years until his death. Vice President Harry S. Truman then took over as President.
Hitler’s Death
As Allied troops closed in around Hitler in Berlin, he committed suicide on April 30. The Allies declared victory in Europe on May 8.
War in the Pacific after Midway
After Midway, the U.S. chose a strategy known as island hopping. This meant that they would attach and capture key islands which would become new bases from which to attack closer to the Philippines and Japan. General Douglas MacArthur then successfully put in place his strategy of re-taking the Philippines to cut-off Japan from it’s southern supply line. Battle of Iwo Jima: the U.S. Marines entered into their bloodiest battle on the tiny island located halfway between the Marianas Islands and the Japanese mainland. Japan started doing kamikaze attacks, which were suicide attacks designed to trade a Japanese life for multiple U.S. lives in one attack.
Albert Einstein, the Manhattan Project, and the atomic bomb
Einstein emigrated from Germany to the United States when the Nazis took power before World War II. World War II began in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Around that same time, Leo Szilard, an old friend of Einstein’s, had come to the conclusion (using Einstein’s E=mc2 theory) that an extremely powerful bomb could be made using uranium to start a nuclear reaction. Szilard knew that no one would listen to him, so he he managed to track down Einstein in a cottage on Long Island. Upon reviewing Szilard’s notes, Einstein declared “I never thought of that!” He did, however, agree that such a bomb was possible and that the Germans were likely already attempting to build one. Realizing what a weapon like an atomic bomb could do in the hands of the Nazis, Einstein and Szilard wrote a letter to President Roosevelt outlining their concerns. Upon reading the letter, Roosevelt began secret research into nuclear weapons called the Manhattan Project. The U.S. would eventually build an atomic bomb and use it against Japan at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the U.S. used the bomb against Japan, Einstein and Szilard formed the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists in order to try and prevent the bomb from ever being used in war again.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
When the U.S. developed the atomic bomb, Japan was warned to surrender or face prompt and utter destruction. Japan ignored the warning, and President Truman ordered the use of the atomic bomb. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, then a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in Japan.
Japan’s surrender
After the 2 atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, they finally surrendered on August 15, 1945, on the deck of the U.S. battleship Missouri. This finally ended WWII. After the war, the Allies put the top Nazi and Japanese leaders on trial for war crimes against humanity. These trials were held in Nuremberg, Germany, and in Tokyo, Japan.
Cost of WWII
WWII was the most destructive conflict in history. More than 55 million people died (more than half were civilians). The U.S. casualties totaled about 322,000 dead and 800,000 wounded. The Soviet Union had at least 18 million people die.
