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WW2 Flashcards

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1
Q

What were the main causes of WW2?

A

Axis Powers vs Allies, Changing government systems, Treaty of Versailles, Nazism, Appeasement

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2
Q

Why was Australia involved in the war?

A

Britain declared war on Germany so Aus had to support Britain (PM Robert Menzies)

Dec 1941 Aus declared war on Japan in support of US (PM John Curtin)

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3
Q

What were the government systems of the Axis Powers during WW2?

A

Germany - Dictatorship/Nazi (Hitler)

Japan - Military controlled

Italy - Fascism (Mussolini)

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4
Q

Why did the League of Nations fail?

A

They could not fight back against Axis Powers as they were missing the larger nations

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5
Q

Why did Hitler gain power?

A

Claimed Jews were responsible for Germany’s economic problems

Nazi party had more seats than any other party

Empathised with the people of Germany - Treaty of Versailles

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6
Q

What was the spark of WW2?

A

Germany attacked Poland by surprise Sep 1, 1939

Sep 3, 1939 France and Britain declared war on Germany

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7
Q

What was the attack method used by Germany?

A

Blitzkreig. They used fast-moving aeroplanes and tanks followed by land soldiers

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8
Q

Why did Australians enlist?

A

Desire for adventure

Sense of duty to protect Aus and other nations

Desire to be part of the military heritage

Better wages

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9
Q

Describe the Battle of Britain

A

Britain had to take on Germany alone after fall of France. Hitler’s plan was to take out the RAF first and then attack on land. Germany air force (Luftwaffe) began bombing Great Britan, first airfields & aircraft factories and then cities (esp London). Germans began bombing only at night.

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10
Q

How did Britain defend itself during the Battle of Britain?

A

They used new technology such as radar and Enigma (decoding machine)

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11
Q

When were the Germans bombing London in the Battle of Britain?

A

7 September 1940 - 10 May 1941

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12
Q

What bombs did the Germans use in the Battle of Britain?

A

High explosives, parachute mines which had max impact on concrete and steel, and incendiary bombs designed to start fires

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13
Q

Describe the role of Australian pilots in WW2

A

Around 450 Aus pilots served with Britain’s RAF. They took part in campaigns to try prevent German takeover over Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and France

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14
Q

How many Australian pilots served in the Battle of Britain?

A

35

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15
Q

Describe the Battle of the Atlantic

A

Brtiain imposed a naval blockade to prevent merchant ships delivering supplies to Germany’s war effort. Germans retaliated by sending U-boats to torpedo merchant ships supplying Britain from USA

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16
Q

When was the Battle of the Atlantic?

A

Sep 1939 - May 1945

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17
Q

Where was the war fought?

A
  • Europe (vs Germany)
    • Battle of Britain
    • Invasion of Poland
    • Dunkirk / Fall of France
  • Asia
  • Africa (vs Germany + Italy)
    • Egypt (Suez Canal)
  • Pacific (vs Japan)
  • US (vs Japan)
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18
Q

Describe the Fall of France

A

Hitler attacked the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg as a way to distract Britain so he could attack France. He went through Belgium and Luxembourg and trapped Allies in northern France. They then attacked from the air. Great Britain sent ships to rescue them and rescued 338,000 people. Germany took Paris and French leaders surrendered.

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19
Q

When was the Fall of France?

A

May - June 1940

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20
Q

Describe the battle between Italy and the Allies

A

Italy sent 236,000 troops from Libya into British-occupied Egypt because they wanted the Suez Canal. Italy outnumbered British by 200,000 but lost because they scattered their forces too wide and they had outdated tanks and machine guns. British and Indian troops attacked suddenly in Dec. Early 1941 Allied troops (Britain, India, NZ, AIF) forced Italian troops to retreat to Libya. Aus troops captured Bardia, Tobruk and Benghazi.

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21
Q

When was the battle between Italy and the Allies?

A

Sep 1940 - Early 1941

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22
Q

What happened between Libya and the Afrika Korps?

A

British Gen Wavell wanted to take Tripoli, capital of Libya and force Mussolini out of North Africa. Germany sent in Gen Erwin-Rommel and his Africa Korps to assist Italy. Rommel forced Allies to retreat.

23
Q

Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbour?

A

They resented the US for freezing it’s US assets, restricting trade opportunities and providing military/financial assistance to enemies. Before expanding into South-East Asia they wanted to remove the threat of the US Navy based in Pearl Harbor.

24
Q

Describe the attack on Pearl Harbor

A

In 2 hours Japan sank/damaged 21 American ships, destroyed 188 aircraft and damaged 159, killed nearly 2400 American military personnel, and wounded over 1000 people. None of US aircraft carriers were at the base.8 Dec US declared war on Japan. 11 Dec Hitler declared war on US ⇢ brought war into European sphere.

25
Q

When was the attack on Pearl Harbor?

A

7 Dec 1941

26
Q

What was Australia’s response to the attack on Pearl Harbor?

A

PM John Curtin declared war on Japan and stationed troops overseas.

27
Q

Describe the Battle of Stalingrad

A

German army wanted to defeat soviet forces in south, control Baku oil fields, and cut off Stalingrad on the River Volga. Stalingrad was key city for industry, manufacturing, rail and water link. German initially successful. Sep German air forces destroyed most of cities. 1 mil soviet troops defend Stalingrad (w tanks, aircraft and rocket batteries). Germans cut off from ammo and food supplies from Winter - starvation. Germans surrendered and Soviets began to regain territory.

28
Q

When was the Battle of Stalingrad?

A

23 Aug 1942 - 2 Feb 1943

29
Q

Describe the Battle of Coral Sea

A

Between Japan and Allies (Aus and US) in Pacific war zone. Japanese goal to establish a blockade to prevent Aus receiving supplies from US - intended to establish bases in Fiji, The New Hebrides, PNG, Samoa, & Solomon Islands. Japan sent aircraft carriers to Port Moresby in PNG & patrolled where Allied ships might arrive.

30
Q

When was the Battle of Coral Sea?

A

4 - 8 May 1942

31
Q

What were the outcomes of the Battle of Coral Sea?

A

Around 1,617 people died (543 Allies, 1,074 Japan). First WWII battle Japan lost. Prevented Japan invading Port Moresby in PNG & expanding into Asia. Gave America and Allies more confidence. ‘Battle that saved Australia’

32
Q

Describe the Battle of Midway

A

Naval battle in the pacific in Midway Atoll. Between Japan & America Navy. Japanese plan to lure out reinforcement from Pearl HArbour with diversion. Japanese fleet was too widely dispersed & had to use radio - US intercepted. Japan anticipated less ships. Used aircraft and naval ships. Weapons were bombs, aircraft carriers & guided missiles. IJN lured American aircraft to a trap when Japanese were in Midway.

33
Q

When was the Battle of Midway?

A

4 - 7 June 1942

34
Q

What were the outcomes of the Battle of Midway?

A

Japan’s first navy battle loss in over 50 years. Japan failed to neutralise US navy so they halted their advances on US forces.

35
Q

Where is the Midway Atoll?

A

Directly between America & Asia (Japan wanted to use as a base to insert dominance over Pacific sphere of influence)

36
Q

Describe Island Hopping

A

Gen Douglas Macarthur and Adm Chester Nimitz led strategy. Wanted to position US forces within bombing range of Japan by capturing key islands one at a time and using them as temporary bases. 1944 onwards Allies drew closer to Japan’s home islands. Japan called for kamikaze pilots. Early April 1945 US and British Fleets defeated Japanese. Bombs were used in battle.

37
Q

When was Island Hopping?

A

1943 - June 1945

38
Q

What are kamikaze pilots?

A

Suicide planes used to destroy aircraft carriers and inflict large numbers of casualties

39
Q

How did the US respond to kamikaze pilots?

A

Developed good defence tactics and could spot the planes

40
Q

Describe the bombing of Hiroshima

A

Pres Truman decided to drop atomic bomb on Japan to get them to surrender. American bomber Enola Gay dropped bomb on Hiroshima nicknamed ‘Little Boy’. Explosion created 300m wide fireball with heat up to 4000 °C, tornado-like winds and radiation. Around 70 000 people died instantly - many more died in months followed. Hiroshima totally destroyed. Japan surrendered after Nagasaki bombing killing at least 40,000 people.

41
Q

When was the bombing of Hiroshima?

A

6 August 1945

42
Q

When was the bombing of Nagasaki?

A

9 August 1945

43
Q

Describe the Manhattan Project

A

US spent $1.8 billion to make atomic bomb. Lead by American physicist Robert Oppenheimer. Some of the world’s leading physicists, including people seeking refuge from Nazi Europe contributed to its success. 16 July 1945 the US conducted a successful explosion in New Mexico.

44
Q

What are the 6 key concepts?

A
  1. Continuity and change
  2. Causes and effect
  3. Perspective
  4. Contestability
  5. Significance
  6. Empathetic Understanding
45
Q

What did the Women’s Australian National Service do?

A

organised women to drive and service army vehicles, ambulances and aircraft

46
Q

What were some of the things made by women in factories in WW2?

A

Bullets, anti-tank shells, binoculars, bomb and gun sights, cameras, periscopes, range finders and telescopes

47
Q

What does the ‘Final Solution’ show?

A

It shows that the Nazis had been planning to exterminate all Jewish people

48
Q

Who gave the order of the ‘Final Solution’?

A

Hermann Goering, Hitler’s second in command

49
Q

What happened after the ‘Final Solution’ order was given?

A

Jewish women and children started to be killed as well

50
Q

What were the Allies fighting in Egypt called?

A

Rats of Tobruk

51
Q

Describe the first battle of El Alamein

A

Allied forces halted German advances. Both sides pause to regain strength. British Gen Montgomery took charge and began to put pressure on Rommel. Montgomery’s plan was to train and build up allied forces to destroy Panzer Army (German tank army)

52
Q

Describe the second battle of El Alamein

A

Panzer army dug behind barbed wire and minefield. Allies had twice the number of troops and tanks. Montgomery ordered 9th AIF division to attack from enemy’s side. Allies broke through enemy lines and forced Afrika Corps to retreat.

53
Q

When were the battles of El Alamein?

A

1942

History (3 decks)

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