WW2 Test Flashcards
How many people were killed in Auschwitz?
1 Million
What was Auschwitz designed as?
A factory of death
What were the hair of Auschwitz prisoners used for?
Cloth
The wooden sheds Auschwitz prisoners slept in were meant for ____ horses but _____ prisoners were forced to live in them.
52, 1,000
In 1944 how many gas chamberd were working at full capacity?
5
What was operation T-4?
A systematic program to eliminate “unworthy life” (mentally and physically disabled people) Anyone not pure o race and was considered an economic burden
WHat is Euthanasia and how does it apply to operation T-4?
Euthanasia is mercy killing. ANy person in Germany considered “incurable” was killed and this was considered merciful.
How many people were killed under operation T-4 from 1939-1945? What methods were used?
200,000 to 250,000 people were killed during operation T-4. They used methods including starvation, lethal injection and gas.
How did operation T-4 lead to the “Final Solution”?
It created an ideology that only racially pure germans deserved to live
Why are memories of WW1 a reason Canada slept during the beginning of WW2?
The losses of WW1 were still fresh in peoples minds. The last thing Canadians wanted to consider was another conflict in far-off europe
Why was Pasifism a reason Canada slept during the beginning of WW2?
Many canadians worked tirelessly to promote the cause of peace. The Womens International League For Peace vigourously campaigned for an end to war.Political leaders tried to have the house of commons declare Canada’s neutrality in any further war.
Why was the great depression a reason Canada slept during the beginning of WW2?
There were still over a million people on relief. Canadians were bitterly divided over how to solve the severe problems of the depression. Foreign polotics seemed irrelevant to the plight of most canadians who has to be concerned about food, clothing, jobs and shelter
Why was Isolationism a reason Canada slept during the beginning of WW2?
During the 1930s canada followed a policy of isolationism. Canada had joined the league of nations but never played a leading role and wanted to avoid involvment in future conflicts at all costs.
why was Political Leadership a reason Canada slept during the beginning of WW2?
The prime ministers major concern was canadian unity. He was afraid a foreign war would divide canadians as it had in 1914-1918. He also wanted to protect thr autonomy canada had won from britain.
Why was appeasement a reason Canada slept during the beginning of WW2?
King visited Hitler in 1937. After meeting, king noted that he seemed to be “ a man of deep sincerity and a genuine patriot.” He added that Hitler “was simple sort of peasant, not very intelligent and no serious danger to anyone.”
What beach is designated for attack for Canadian soldiers on D-Day?
Juno beach
What obstacles would be faced during the D-day attack?
Seasickness, landed on the wrong beach, not much cover to hide behind.
What were soldiers instructed to do immediatley upon arriving at Juno beach?
Get off the beach, do not help others
How many men were killed within the first 3 hours of fighting on D-Day?
350
WHat was the role of paratrooper during the D-Day invasion?
Drop behind enemy lines and get to their objective.
What kind of obstacles would paratroopers face?
Plane attacked, engine catching fire, no equipment once you land, dont know where you are
When did Germany first lauch an all out attack on Poland?
September 1, 1939
WHen do Britain and France declare war against Germany?
September 3rd 1939, Canada declared war 1 week later
Why would the German people elect hitler and followhim into another massive war?
*Economic problems - Germany inflation
*Political stability - Dozens of political parties, communists, social democrat, national socialist
* Treaty of Versailles- SHAME
*Depression and unemployment - 50%
What caused the inflation in germany before WW2 started?
Germany printed money in order to pay off due to the treaty of versaille
Why did Hitler decide to attack russia when britain had not yet been defeated?
*Dislike for Bolshevism (Communist)
*Slavic people
* Additional living space + resources
Were most of the deaths caused by WW2 inflicted on soldiers who were fighting?
No, more civilians
Who was britains new Prime Minister? What were his feelings towards the war and Nazi’s?
Winston Churchhill, Never backing down.
What is the Nazi Blitzkrieg?
Blitzkrieg, meaning “lightning war” in German, was a military tactic used by Nazi Germany during World War II. The strategy involved a rapid and coordinated attack using a combination of ground forces, tanks, and air power to overwhelm and defeat an enemy in a short period of time.
How did Britain prepare to be invaded by Germany
Children are evacuated to keep them safe, men and women are both trained, Radar towers, barriers, taking down street signs, parking cars in fields so planes cant land
What did people do at home to help with the war effort?
All industries, materials and people were put to work for the war effort.
What was the rationing like during ww2?
No hoarding food, WPTB- controlled food prices and distribution, ration cards, limited production of non essential items, victory bonds, fundraisers, donations
What was the government and economy like during ww2
Labour shortage- WW2 created jobs and ended depression, 28 government companies- C.D. Howe - minister if munitions - $1/year
What was the D-Day invasion code named?
Operation Overload
What allies were involved in D-Day?
Canada, Britain, U.S.A
What did the planes, ships etc. look like for numbers? (D Day Invasion)
13k aircrafts, 3500 gliders, 1200 fighting ships, 1600 merchant ships, 4000 assualt craft were assembled.
How many landing beaches were there for the D Day invasion?
5
Utah beach - U.S.
Omaha beach - U.S.
Gold beach - Britain
Juno beach - Canada
Sword beach - Britain
What did phase one of the D Day invasion look like?
Air: Bombing and parachuting
-Aircraft would bimb and strafe German defences, drop paratroopers to seize vital roads and bridges, atempt to secure control of the skies over normandy
What did phase two of the D Day invasion look like?
Naval: Clearing and delivering
- Armada of 7000 ships had to clear lanes through minefieldsand bombard German positions
- Convoy had to deliver 100,000 assualt troops to the normandy beaches, 20k vehicles, and a vast array of equipment to the beach.
What did phase three of the D Day invasion look like?
Land forces: Assualting and securing
-Objectives of U.S., british, and canadian forces was to secure a position in france from which further offensies could be launched
What mistakes did the U.S make that resulted in the Pearl Harbour attack?
Not on high alert, concluded there was no reasein to fear attack, aircrafts left parked wing to wing,
What was Japans 3 main targerts when attacking pearl harbour?
Air craft carriers. Lexington, Enterprise, saratoga
When did Britain and the U.S. declare war on japan?
December 8th 1941
When do Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
December 11
when was the attack on pearl harbour?
December 7th 1941
How difficult did germany think it would be to defeat britain once they had retreated from france? Did britain surrender?
Hitler was very confident that britainwould surrender. Germany thought they would surrender with a little pressure. Winston churchhill did not want to give up
When did the battle of britain take place?
July to october of 1940
What is antisemitism?
Hostility towards Jews
What is the holocaust? what other groups were involved besides jews?
The systematic persecution and murder of 6 million Jews organized by the Nazi state and its collaborators from 1933-1945. People with disabilities, homosexuals, Slavic people, political opponents etc.
What was Canadas response to the war?
Not happy or excited, shocked and somber. The first time Canada declares war on their own
Who is Margaret Hayworth? Why was she used as a form of propaganda?
12 yo girl who was murdered by Germany, Germany needed to be stopped and Canadians had motivation after her story.
What did Canadas military look like at the beginning of the war?
10,000 members in entire armed force. 14 tanks, 10 ships, 50 aircrafts, 58,000 people enlist
How was Canada prepared for the war in 1939?
The government moved quickly to produce firearms, collect materials, and Canadian factories began creating new aircrafts, flying bases were built on both sides of the coasts and an air-firing and bombing range was constructed.
What did Hitlers childhood look like?
Born in Austria, April 20th 1889, Very controlling father(Authoritarian), Father died 1903, mother died 1907. Poor student, school dropout by 16, Homeless for 4 years, 1909-1913, Joined German army 1914, served in WW1.
was very peaceful, calm and enjoyed art - all he wants to do is draw, but had a very controlling father. Once he passed he attempted to fulfill his dream of art but failed the exam to the academy he applied to. (Vienna Academy of fine arts)
What is the beer hall putsch?
April of 1921, Germany is given a massive bill for the warm, started payments in 1923,
Nazi party launched a plan to kidnap gov leaders and force them to take hitler as a leader,
When was the ban on the Nazi party removed?
1925
What was the Gestapo
Germany police as a whole, wore uniform or not, kinda like spy’s. Finds anyone against the Nazi party, identifies and sends them to the camps.
What is the SS?
In 1925 Adolf Hitler formed his own personal bodyguard called the Schutzstaffel (SS). They wore the same uniform as the SA except for a black cap with a silver death’s head badge and a black tie.
What were the Americans mistakes during the pearl harbor attack?
Pearl Harbor saw planes incoming on the radar but assumed and were told they were coming from an American place, while I face it was japan beginning their attack. Soldiers are unprepared, as Sunday is a day not expected to be on duty, weapons were locked up, soldiers were asleep,
On the runways throughout Hawaii all the airplanes were lined up wing to wing, this was very ineffective as a plane could fly over and shoot them all at once.
When was the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack?
August 6th 1945
What was the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima nicknamed?
Little boy
what is the estimated death toll from the Hiroshima attack?
70,000-80,000 people with tens of thousands dying from their injuries
When was operation Barbarossa launched?
June 22nd 1941
When did the battle of Stalingrad take place?
August 23 1942 - February 2nd 1943
What were the two separate scenarios japan saw for the pearl harbor attack?
1) Japan would be slowly strangled into submission by the oil embargo. Without Oil, the Japanese war machine would grind to a halt. This would end any hopes of a vast imperial empire. To the militaristic government, this was totally unacceptable.
2) Japan could make a quick and devastating attack on the United States Pacific fleet. This would keep the United States from interfering in Japanese expansion, and end the oil embargo. By the time the Pacific fleet was rebuilt, they reasoned, Japan would be so entrenched in the south pacific, that it would take years, even decades to drive them out. It was reasoned that the United States would see this and ask for peace – rather than fight a long, and bloody conflict that might never be won.
Why do the Germans continue to fight in northern Europe despite the fact the outcome of the war seemed clear?
The level of desperation
Why does the Netherlands send thousands of tulips to Ottawa every year?
As a thank you
how did Hitler respond as allied armies pressed towards Germany?
Tpld german soldiers to fight more fiercely, ordered 3,000 tanks
How long did fighting continue after the allies landed in Europe during the D-Day invasion?
11 months
What is VE day? When did it finally occur? was this the end of WW2?
VE day stands for victory in Europe day. May 8th 1945, It marked the official end of ww2
When did the battle of Dieppe occur?
August 19, 1942
what was the canadians plan for the battle of dieppe?
The overall objective of the operation was to seize and temporarily hold the port of Dieppe, gather intelligence, and gain operational experience for future amphibious assaults.
What were the three waves of attack for operation Barbarossa?
North to Leningrad, center to Moscow, south to Ukraine
