WWII Study Guide

Question 1

Who was Hitler?

Answer 1

He was the dictator of Germany responsible for the Holocaust and WWII.

Question 2

Who was FDR?

Answer 2

He was president during WWII and The Great Depression.

Question 3

Who was Truman?

Answer 3

He became president when FDR died and ended WWII. Also known for Marshall Plan, Truman Doctrine, and Korean War.

Question 4

Who was Stalin?

Answer 4

Known for Fighting the Germans in WW2 and starting the Cold War.

Question 5

Who is Hirohito?

Answer 5

Hirohito reigned as Emperor of Japan from 1926 until 1989. He remained Emperor after the war. The first time his subjects heard his voice was when he announced Japan’s surrender on the radio.

Question 6

Who is Mussolini?

Answer 6

Mussolini was supreme dictator of Italy. He founded the concept of a fascist government where there is one leader and one party that has total power. He was an inspiration to Adolf Hitler.

Question 7

Who is Churchill?

Answer 7

Winston Churchill was one of the great world leaders of the 20th century. His leadership helped Britain to stand strong against Hitler and the Germans, even when they were the last country left fighting. He is also famous for his inspiring speeches and quotes.

Question 8

What was Rosie the Riveter?

Answer 8

Rosie the Riveter was a character that portrayed a strong patriotic woman who worked in the factories to help the country.

Question 9

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

Answer 9

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American pilots group in the U.S. Army. They were also one of the most distinguished units to fight in World War II.

Question 10

What happened in Pearl Harbor?

Answer 10

Japanese airplanes made a surprise attack on the US Navy in Pearl Harbor. They destroyed many ships and killed many soldiers. It was this attack that forced the United States to enter World War II.

Question 11

What happened in Iwo Jima/Nagasaki?

Answer 11

The Battle of Iwo Jima took place during World War II between the United States and Japan. It was the first major battle of World War II to take place on Japanese homeland.

Question 12

What did the Navajo code talkers do?

Answer 12

Choctaw Nation Indian who used their language for the military during WWII.

Question 13

What was the Holocaust?

Answer 13

The Holocaust is one of the most terrible events in human history. It occurred during World War II when Hitler was leader of Germany. It is thought that the Nazis murdered as many as 17 million innocent people.

Question 14

What does V-E day?

Answer 14

In 1945 Germany surrendered to the Western Allies. The next day the Allies celebrated victory. May 8th is called V-E day or “Victory in Europe” day.

Question 15

What is V-J Day?

Answer 15

1945 the Japanese signed a surrender treaty. This day was called V-J Day which means Victory in Japan.

Question 16

What is D-Day?

Answer 16

In 1944 the Allied Forces attacked Germany with 150,000 soldiers and won the invasion of Normandy. This battle is called D-Day.

Question 17

Explain the Cold War.

Answer 17

The Cold War was a long period of tension between the the Western World and the communist countries of Eastern Europe. The west was led by the United States and Eastern Europe was led by the Soviet Union. These two countries became known as superpowers. Although the two superpowers never officially declared war on each other, they fought indirectly in proxy wars, the arms race, and the space race

Question 18

Explain the Korean War

Answer 18

The Korean War was fought between South Korea and communist North Korea. It was the first major conflict of the Cold War as the Soviet Union supported North Korea and the United States supported South Korea. The war ended with little resolution. The countries are still divided today and North Korea is still ruled by a communist regime.

Question 19

Explain the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Answer 19

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962 when the Soviet Union began to install nuclear missiles in Cuba. The United States refused to allow this and, after thirteen tense days and many secret negotiations, the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles.

This is perhaps the closest that the United States and the Soviet Union came to nuclear war during the Cold war.