WW2 Flashcards
When and why did WW2 start?
September 1 1939 when Germany invaded Poland
What was the ‘Phoney War’?
A period of eight months between the invasion of Poland and the Blitzkreig were nothing much happened
What was the German Blitzkreig?
A “lightening war” where Germany suddenly gained a lot of territory and won many battles quickly
When did France surrender?
July 22 1940 and Germany sets up the Vichy Government
What was the allied bombing offensive?
The bombing of civilians in industrial towns in Germany
When were some of the allied bombings?
Cologne- May 1942
Hamburg- June 1943
Dresden- February 1945
When and why did the Soviet Union change sides?
After it is invaded by its allies in June 22 1942
What were Hitlers motives for the war?
Part of his 1000 year plan to give Germany “living space” and also anti-semitism
When and why did the Pacific war start?
December 7 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour in Hawaii
What happened after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour?
America declares war on Japan and Japan starts conquering land quickly in Asia
When was this Fall of Singapore and what was the response?
February 15 1942- Singapore was a major British military base and colony in Asia and people believed it wouldn’t fall
When was the Battle of Kokoda?
21 July- 18 November 1942
What happened on the Kokoda Track?
Japanese land in Gona and March through New Guinea, forcing Australians back
What was the Jpanese’s aim at Kokoda?
To take Port Moresby, an important Allied base.
Why was the battle of Kokoda so important to Australians?
Because if the Japanese had taken port moresby, their next target would’ve been Australia
When and what were the Bombing offensives on Australia?
From 1943-1943 the Japanese bombed Australia, there were over 100 bombing raids but little casualties
What were the government regulations on the Australian Homefront?
Rationing of food, fuel and clothing
Blackouts and brown outs
Curfews
How did women’s rights change in WW2?
Women didn’t have many opportunities in the workforce but because many men left to fight, women had to take their jobs and some were even allowed in senior positions. Further in the war, some women were allowed to join the army
What was the change in alliances with Australia after WW2?
Australia shifted to having an Alliance with America rather than Britain
What and when was the Normandy landing?
June 6 1944- aimed to free France from the Vichy Government and succeeded
When did the war in Europe end and why?
May 8 1945 when Axis powers surrender and Soviets march in Berlin. Hitler committed suicide on April 30 and Mussolini was hanged
When and why did war end in the Pacific?
Battle of Okinawa and America beginning to take Japan’s land. August 6 and 9 1945- bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrender on August 15 1945
What was the aftermath of the war?
55 million people died
30 million refugees
Problems for returned soldiers
Who were the axis powers in Europe?
Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union
