Pre-War Isolationism
What is Isolationism?
Isolationism is a policy of avoiding political or military involvement in other countries' affairs.
How did Americans mobilize for war?
Americans mobilized by producing war materials, rationing resources, and volunteering for military service. The government also used propaganda to encourage support.
Name a battle that was a major turning point for the Allies.
Major turning points for the Allies include the Battle of Stalingrad, D-Day, and the Battle of Midway, all of which shifted the momentum in favor of the Allies.
What was the result of using the Atomic Bomb in World War 2?
After bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered 5 days later. WW2 ended
Which country did the US ironically ally with during World War 2?
Russia/Soviet Union/USSR
Why did Americans support Isolationism?
Many Americans supported isolationism due to the losses of WWI and economic concerns.
What role did women play on the home front?
Women took on roles in factories (e.g., “Rosie the Riveter”) and served in auxiliary military positions, such as the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).
Who became president after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Harry Truman
Why did the Allied Powers agree to take on the European Front first during World War 2?
To relieve pressure from the Soviet Union, USSR agreed to help Allies later in the Pacific
Why did Germany & Italy declare war on the United States?
They were allies with Japan, and the US declared war on Japan
What event led to the U.S. entering WWII?
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, led to the U.S. entering WWII.
What were the contributions of minorities to the war effort?
Minorities, including African Americans and Native Americans, served in combat and support roles, while also facing racial segregation and discrimination.
What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
Americans captured their first German town, Aachen; Germans sustained heavy losses & retreated
What was the name of the US strategy during the War in the Pacific?
What was the name of the lead scientist of the Manhattan Project?
J. Robert Oppenheimer
Describe the events leading up to Pearl Harbor.
Events leading up to Pearl Harbor included growing tensions with Japan due to their expansion in Asia and the U.S.'s embargo on oil and other resources.
Describe Japanese-American internment.
Japanese-American internment involved forcibly relocating about 120,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps, justified by fears of espionage after Pearl Harbor.
What was significant about the Battle of Okinawa?
The Battle of Okinawa (April-June 1945) was one of the bloodiest battles of WWII, providing a base for the Allied invasion of Japan and leading to massive casualties on both sides.
What was the Manhattan Project?
What date did the US enter war against Japan?
December 8, 1941
How did the Lend-Lease Act support and reject American isolationist ideas?
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the US to supply resources to the Allied Powers without officially being involved in the war
What was FDR's role in organizing the war effort?
FDR established organizations like the War Production Board to oversee wartime production and resource allocation, ensuring the U.S. could meet military needs.
What are 3 agreements that were made at the Yalta Conference in February 1945?
FDR, Churchill, and Stalin met in the USSR and decided to divide Germany into 4 zones, E. Europe was to have free elections, USSR agreed to help against Japan, USSR joins United Nations
At this conference, the Allied Powers delivered an ultimatum to Japan: surrender or be destroyed
Potsdam Conference
Approximately how many people died in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
~115,000