WWII Flashcards
(27 cards)
Blitzkrieg
A method of warfare, meaning lightning-fast attack and unexpected. This method was used by Germany to attack Poland on September 1st, 1939.
The Nazi Party
A violent organization, lead by the dictator Adolf Hitler, that was supported by many Germans during WWII. The group promoted German pride and Anti-Semitism (killed 6 million Jews during its reign over Germany).
Communism
A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating social class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned. Each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.
While it seemed like a good form of government in theory, it has never worked successfully in practice (ex. Soviet Union)
The Iron Curtain
The dividing line between Eastern and Western Europe. It refers to the efforts by the Soviet Union to block itself from open contact with the West.
United Nations
A peace organization created to promote international co-operation and to create/maintain international order.
The Cold War
A state of political hostility between the USSR and the US from 1945 to 1990.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a defensive military alliance of Western nations created to slow Soviet expansion after WWII.
The Warsaw Pact
An alliance created by the Soviets against Western power
NORAD
A defense system meant to protect North America from aerial nuclear attack bombers
Liberation
Trying to free someone from a situation
The Home Front
The Home Front were the people that did not go to war, and were left behind. It generally consisted mostly of women and children.
They were in charge of readying the country for war (manufacturing munitions), creating food rations, and keeping up morale, and basically took over most of the jobs left by the soldiers (mainly men).
Eugenics
Eugenics was the process of sterilizing a female to prevent them from reproducing. This was used in Canada during this time period on First Nations women because they were very racist, and very fascist.
The League of Nations
The League of Nations was an organisation created by Woodrow Wilson. It preceded the current UN and had many problems. an international organization set up to prevent peace and good vibes among countries. It was made with the thought that conflicts could be settled with negotiation than violence.
U.S.S.R.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed during WWI. They are a socialist/communist government that was one of the major powers of WWII. They were fierce and made an enemy out of almost everyone.
Residential Schools
This were programs instituted by the Canadian government to assimilate the indigenous population into our society. In these residential schools, it focused less on actual academics (math, science, language) and focused more on practical skills (sewing, farming, cleaning etc.)
Kristallnacht
Translates to the night of the broken glass. After being provoked by one hostile Jew, the Germans immaturely retaliated and destroyed Jewish properties, stores, and businesses.
Fascism
An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. It relies on a dictator, and it takes full control of commerce and industry.
Axis
The Axis was a union of governments during WWII that fought against the Allies in WWII. They are “the bad guys” in this war. It consisted of Germany, Italy, Japan, and smaller more insignificant countries.
Allies
A union of nations that were all brought into war to stop the spread of fascism (and also communism, regretfully so). They were the “good guys’’ in this war. The main countries were Great Britain, France (for like 2 years), and the United States.
Schutzstaffel (or SS Police)
The Schutzstaffel were the German police. They heavily oppressed the people, and were quite brutal.
Nuremberg Laws
These were the official documents made by Adolf Hitler that stripped Jews and other lesser beings of their rights.
Concentration camps
A concentration camp is where Jews and other prisoners were kept by the Nazis. They were left in horrible/unsanitary conditions, until they were ultimately killed or lucky enough to be liberated.
Atomic Bomb
The race for the atomic bomb was one of the largest factors in the end of WWII. The atomic bomb remains to be the most powerful bomb. It utilizes a chain reaction between atoms to create an explosion.
Final Solution
After many stages of planning & development, the Germans decided they needed to eradicate all the Jews. The final solution utilized gas (Cyanide/Zyklon B Gas) as well as firing squads.
