World War II and Cold War Flashcards
What event marked the beginning of the Great Depression?
The Wall Street Crash of 1929
This crash led to mass unemployment, bank failures, and a collapse in consumer spending.
What was the main consequence of the Smoot-Hawley Act (1930)?
Raised import duties on foreign goods
This act led to retaliatory tariffs from other countries and contributed to the worsening of the Great Depression.
Which event in 1931 violated the League of Nations’ principles?
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
This event exposed the League’s inability to enforce collective security.
What was the purpose of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation established in 1932?
To provide financial support to banks, industries, and local governments during the Great Depression
It set a precedent for government intervention in economic crises.
What did the National Recovery Act (1933) aim to achieve?
Stimulate economic recovery through industrial codes and labor rights
It was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
What did the Social Security Act (1935) establish?
Unemployment insurance and old-age pensions
This act formed the foundation of the modern U.S. welfare system.
What significant action did Germany take in the Rhineland in 1936?
Remilitarized the Rhineland
This defied the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact.
The Japanese Invasion of China in 1937 marked the beginning of which conflict?
Second Sino-Japanese War
This invasion included widespread atrocities like the Nanking Massacre.
What was the Anschluss in 1938?
Germany’s annexation of Austria
This violated the Treaty of Versailles and fueled Hitler’s territorial ambitions.
What event in 1939 marked the official start of World War II?
German invasion of Poland
This prompted Britain and France to declare war.
What was the outcome of the Surrender of France in 1940?
France capitulated to Nazi Germany
This solidified German dominance in Western Europe.
What action did the U.S. take in 1941 against Japan?
Placed an oil embargo on Japan
This aimed to curb Japan’s imperial expansion in Asia.
What was the significance of the Battle of Midway in 1942?
Marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater
The U.S. victory halted Japanese expansion.
What was the result of the Allied invasion of Italy in 1943?
Overthrow of Mussolini and Italy’s surrender
This opened up a new front in Southern Europe.
What was D-Day, and when did it occur?
The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944
It was the largest amphibious assault in history.
What was the outcome of the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945?
Led to Japan’s surrender
This event highlighted the devastating impact of nuclear weapons.
What economic phenomenon occurred in 1946 following WWII?
Reconversion Inflation
It sparked debates about government intervention in the economy.
What was the Truman Doctrine (1947)?
U.S. policy to contain communism by providing aid to Greece and Turkey
This influenced Cold War foreign policy.
What was the Berlin Airlift (1948)?
U.S. and allies supplied West Berlin during a Soviet blockade
This strengthened the divide between East and West.
What was NATO, founded in 1949?
A military alliance between Western nations to counter Soviet aggression
It symbolized the growing division of the Cold War.
What was the significance of the Battle of Inchon in 1950?
A decisive amphibious assault during the Korean War
It highlighted U.S. commitment to containing communism.
What was the impact of the dismissal of General MacArthur in 1951?
Reaffirmed civilian control over the military in the United States
It was due to tensions over military strategy in Korea.
What was the outcome of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
Declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional
This decision catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement.
What event did the arrest of Rosa Parks in 1955 spark?
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
It elevated Martin Luther King Jr. as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
