World War 2 Flashcards
How & Why does
a nation decide
to go to war?
defend the land, want more land, civilians loss of life, maintain/achieve world power status, govt/economy threatened, people’s rights, allies go to war
What if a significant amount of population objects the war?
propaganda, boost morale
How do societal norms change in times of crisis?
increase nationalism, donate, $ & join military, job -> supplies, minoritized groups called upon to participate.
“History can only teach it’s lesson if it is remembered.”
“Even what seems like a sensitive topic, its still important to talk about these things so we keep going the good things & not repeat the bad.”
Dictators
leader who controls nation by force
Why do some Europeans resent the Treaty of Versailles after WWI?
Ended WWI, but Depression sinks into Europe (especially Germany), which adds to the to frustration. Dictators rise to power because of promises of a better life
Dictators (Countries)
Japan (Hideki Tojo), Russia (Joseph Stalin), Italy (Benito Mussolini) & Germany (Adolf Hitler)
Fascism
extreme nationalism & racism
Anti-semitism
hatred of Jewish Race
Totalitarianism
singe political party, leader suppresses opposition, controls all aspects of life
The series of Neutrality Acts of the mid 1930s were created to keep the US from selling arms to Europe, and thus, to avoid entering another war.
Ban the sale of weapons to nations in war, trade for cash only, Transport goods in own ship (not to repeat the Lusitania)
Why is Congress so worried about trading w/ European Countries at this time?
working to get out of Depression, Pay off WWI debts
Benito Mussolini
Italian fascist, IL Dulce (the leader), no democratic rule, no civil liberties or freedom of press
Hirohito & Hideki Tojo
Emperor & prime minister, expansion of power to become world power, attack on Manchuria & set up. Tojo- takes over, currently plans attack on US
Adolf Hitler
German, national socialist worker’s party, great speaker, used Treaty of Versailles dissent , Anti-Semitic, chancellor, no democratic rule, totalitarian, expansion of territory
Joseph Stalin
Communist, Soviet Union, General Secretary, “Lenin’s Mouthpiece”, executed rivals, ordered death of thousands, labor camps, people forced on govt farms.
Blitzkrieg
“lighting war” - a form of warfare in which surprise attacks with fast-moving airplanes are followed by massive attacks with infantry forces.
Allied Powers
Great Britain, France, Russia, US
Axis Powers
Germany, Japan, Italy
Battle of Britain
Britain stands in the way of Hitler’s domination. Set another offensive, killing many civilians, break British morale
Winston Churchill
inspirational British Prime Minister
America First Committee
including celebrities, like Henry Ford. Stay out of Europe’s Business! Vowed to remain neutral, FDR takes steps toward war anyway, strengthen navy & amend Neutrality Act. signed 1st peacetime draft law, men aged 21-35.
Lend-Lease Act
1941, sell, lend or lease arms/supplies to any notion considered “vital to the defense of US”
Who will oppose this act?
isolationists
“Shoot on Sight”
orders by FDR any German/Italian ships in certain waters
Who seized China & continued expansion into the Philippines because America occupied them?
Japan, causes FDR to seize all Japanese assets in US banks & no sales to them, prime minister, who believes Japan can beat the US, resigns.
December 7th, 1941
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to destroy the Pacific fleet
Name 3 locations Japan attacked on on 12/7/1941
Guam, Pearl Harbor & Philippines
What is the purpose of FDR’s speech?
Convince Congress to start War, protect American land, avenge the dead
How long after Pearl Harbor does the US join the war?
3 weeks after Pearl Harbor, US joins Allied Powers w/ more than 20 other nations. Britain, Soviet Union included, vow to defeat axis powers.
1st Concentration: Hitler & Germany… Why not Japan?
1) Too Far, Germany in Eastern (Russia) & Western (France) Front. Occupies most of Europe & North Africa, worried if Germany defeats Soviets, maybe unstoppable.
Allies Strategies
Stalin + America= Attack Germany through English Channel = Defend the Heart of Their Empire. Churchill worried about the strong German Army ‘s presence, FDR agrees