WW2

Question 1

When and why did WW2 start?

Answer 1

September 1 1939 when Germany invaded Poland

Question 2

What was the ‘Phoney War’?

Answer 2

A period of eight months between the invasion of Poland and the Blitzkreig were nothing much happened

Question 3

What was the German Blitzkreig?

Answer 3

A “lightening war” where Germany suddenly gained a lot of territory and won many battles quickly

Question 4

When did France surrender?

Answer 4

July 22 1940 and Germany sets up the Vichy Government

Question 5

What was the allied bombing offensive?

Answer 5

The bombing of civilians in industrial towns in Germany

Question 6

When were some of the allied bombings?

Answer 6

Cologne- May 1942
Hamburg- June 1943
Dresden- February 1945

Question 7

When and why did the Soviet Union change sides?

Answer 7

After it is invaded by its allies in June 22 1942

Question 8

What were Hitlers motives for the war?

Answer 8

Part of his 1000 year plan to give Germany “living space” and also anti-semitism

Question 9

When and why did the Pacific war start?

Answer 9

December 7 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour in Hawaii

Question 10

What happened after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour?

Answer 10

America declares war on Japan and Japan starts conquering land quickly in Asia

Question 11

When was this Fall of Singapore and what was the response?

Answer 11

February 15 1942- Singapore was a major British military base and colony in Asia and people believed it wouldn’t fall

Question 12

When was the Battle of Kokoda?

Answer 12

21 July- 18 November 1942

Question 13

What happened on the Kokoda Track?

Answer 13

Japanese land in Gona and March through New Guinea, forcing Australians back

Question 14

What was the Jpanese’s aim at Kokoda?

Answer 14

To take Port Moresby, an important Allied base.

Question 15

Why was the battle of Kokoda so important to Australians?

Answer 15

Because if the Japanese had taken port moresby, their next target would’ve been Australia

Question 16

When and what were the Bombing offensives on Australia?

Answer 16

From 1943-1943 the Japanese bombed Australia, there were over 100 bombing raids but little casualties

Question 17

What were the government regulations on the Australian Homefront?

Answer 17

Rationing of food, fuel and clothing
Blackouts and brown outs
Curfews

Question 18

How did women’s rights change in WW2?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What was the change in alliances with Australia after WW2?

Answer 19

Australia shifted to having an Alliance with America rather than Britain

Question 20

What and when was the Normandy landing?

Answer 20

June 6 1944- aimed to free France from the Vichy Government and succeeded

Question 21

When did the war in Europe end and why?

Answer 21

May 8 1945 when Axis powers surrender and Soviets march in Berlin. Hitler committed suicide on April 30 and Mussolini was hanged

Question 22

When and why did war end in the Pacific?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What was the aftermath of the war?

Answer 23

55 million people died
30 million refugees
Problems for returned soldiers

Question 24

Who were the axis powers in Europe?

Answer 24

Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union