Who was involved
Who were the Axis Powers?
Germany, Italy, and Japan
During WWII, there was fighting in North Africa. Why? (While this did not happen in Europe, it did involve European countries)
European countries had colonies in North Africa, but the main fight was over the Suez Canal which was a major supply route. Whoever controlled the canal, controlled the shipping of supplies via that route.
What is kamikaze?
Kamikaze is when Japanese pilots would purposefully fly their plane filled with explosives into Allied ships.
With the US entering WWII and fighting in Europe, Germany started to lose their offensive. Hitler prepared for one last major attack. What was the Battle of the Bulge?
It occurred in a forest outside of Antwerp, Belgium. Allied troops were pushing forward and Hitler was planning one last attack to try and take back the war. The Germans waited until there was a storm and planes were grounded. They attacked and pushed into the Allied line, creating a bulge. The weather cleared, planes were in the air and Allies pushed the Germans back.
What does kristallnacht mean and what was it?
It means "Night of Broken Glass" This is when Jewish synagogues, businesses, and homes were attacked (shattered glass) broken into, set on fire, and Jews were arrested which marked what was to come.
Who were the original Allied Powers?
By the end of WWII, who were the 4 main Allied Powers?
Original - France and Great Britain
By the end of WWII - France, Great Britain, US, and Russia
What did Germany and Italy do to provoke WWII?
Germany was building up their military which was against the Treaty of Versailles and they wanted part of Czech back and were going to take it by force.
Italy attacked and took control over Ethiopia in Africa.
What did Japan do to provoke WWII?
Japan was invading and taking over parts of China.
What led up to V-E Day?
With the Germans losing the offensive and the Allies moving into Germany, Hitler ended his life. A week later, Germany surrendered.
President Roosevelt died in office before the end of WWII. Who then took office?
Harry S. Truman
How did the US get involved in WWII?
Originally the US wanted to stay out of WWII but still help the Allies with supplies.
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The next day, Congress declared war on Japan and entered WWII.
How did the original Allies try to prevent war?
Czech went to France and Great Britain for help. Both countries said that they did not want to get involved.
Great Britain did go to Germany and ask what it would take for Germany to stop taking land. This is called Appeasement. Germany said they would not demand any more land if the got the Czech land Sudetenland.
Japan was invading islands to build their empire.
With Germany surrendering, was the war over?
The war was not over because there was still fighting in the Pacific.
What country did Germany and Russia decide to attack and split the country.
Poland
How did Russia get involved in WWII?
Russia did not want to get involved in WWII, but did have a pact with Germany - they would attack Poland together and then split the the country, but they would not attack each other.
Germany broke that pact and that is when Russia joined the Allies.
What does D-Day stand for and what was it?
Designated Day. This is the day that the US and other Allies stormed the 5 beaches of France to fight the Germans who had taken over France. The Allies were up against land mines, barbed wire, and Germans in bomb proof bunkers, while the Allies had very little protection since there were coming into the country by ships.
What is the military tactic of island hopping?
This was used against Japan during WWII. It is the strategic plan of only fighting and taking back over islands that are strategically important. By doing this, the Allies could isolate Japan on some islands and not waste resources/supplies.
What is the importance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Who was Dori Miller?
Dori Miller was a member of the US military at a time when African Americans were not trained for combat. He was on the USS West Virginia when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He carried men to safety and then manned a gun, taking down a Japanese plane. He was given the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, etc and the USS Miller is named in his honor.
Who were the Code Talkers?
Code Talkers were about 400 Navajo Native Americans whose involvement in WWII was to communicate via code based off of the Navajo language. The language is so complex that the Japanese were never able to break the Navajo code.
What is V-E Day and why was its name so specific?
What is important about Iwo Jima and Okinawa?
These were two of the fiercest battles in the Pacific. Japanese used underground tunnels and were told to fight to the death. Very high casualties.
What caused Japan to surrender?
Two atomic bombs had been dropped on Japanese soil with the threat of more if Japan did not surrender. Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945.
What year did WWII end?
1945