Blitzkrieg & Early War
What strategy used speed, tanks, and aircraft to quickly defeat enemies?
Blitzkrieg
Which three countries made up the Axis Powers?
Answer: Germany, Italy, Japan
What event caused the U.S. to enter WWII?
Answer: Pearl Harbor
What is total war?
Answer: A war involving all resources and civilians
What started WWII in 1939?
Answer: Germany’s invasion of Poland
Why did France’s Maginot Line fail to stop Germany?
Answer: Germany bypassed it through the Ardennes, showing France expected a WWI-style war
Why was North Africa important during WWII?
Answer: Control of the Suez Canal and trade/oil routes
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?
Answer: To prevent U.S. interference with its expansion in Asia
What was the purpose of rationing?
Answer: To fairly distribute limited goods and prioritize the military
Why did WWII become a global war?
Answer: Alliances and empires spread fighting across continents
What agreement allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet attack?
Answer: Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
What two events helped defeat Axis forces in North Africa?
Answer: El Alamein and Operation Torch
How did the U.S. embargo contribute to Japan’s decision to go to war?
Answer: It cut off oil/resources, forcing Japan to choose between retreat or attack
How did women contribute to the war effort?
Answer: Worked in factories building planes, ships, and weapons
What was the Eastern Front known for?
Answer: Being the largest and deadliest land front
Why was Dunkirk considered a success even though the Allies were retreating?
Answer: It saved hundreds of thousands of troops who could continue fighting
Why was Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union a major mistake?
Answer: It forced Germany into a two-front war and stretched resources
Why was Pearl Harbor a strategic mistake for Japan?
Answer: It united the U.S. and brought its industrial power into the war
What is propaganda and how was it used?
Answer: Information used to influence people and gain support for the war
Explain one major weakness in Germany’s war strategy.
Answer: Overexpansion and fighting a two-front war
Explain how Blitzkrieg created both early success AND long-term problems for Germany.
Answer: It led to rapid victories but encouraged overexpansion, stretching resources and leading to a two-front war
Explain how geography helped the Soviet Union defeat Germany.
Answer: Vast distances, harsh winters, and long supply lines weakened German forces
Explain why controlling the Pacific Ocean was critical to defeating Japan.
Answer: It allowed the U.S. to cut supply lines and move closer to Japan using island hopping
Explain how total war blurred the line between civilians and soldiers.
Answer: Civilians worked in war industries, followed rationing, and became targets of bombing
Evaluate and re-phrase this statement: “Early German success made long-term victory impossible.”
Answer: Early victories led to overconfidence and overextension, weakening Germany over time