Causes of WW2
This economic crisis of the 1930s, characterized by severe unemployment and financial instability, provided fertile ground for the rise of extremist political ideologies in Europe
The Great Depression
Literally meaning "lightning war," this military strategy was crucial to Germany’s early success
Blitzkrieg
During the Blitz, this city was subjected to 57 consecutive days of bombing
London
Before joining the war, the US President bent his own countries rules by providing planes to this country
Britain
The AIF stands for
Australian Imperial Force
The name of the policy pursued by Western democracies, such as Britain and France, in the 1930s, which involved giving in to Hitler's territorial demands in the hope of avoiding war
Appeasement
Another word for cylinder, this was home to Londoners who sought refuge from bombing attacks during the Blitz
Tube
Blitzkrieg relied heavily on the use of which type of machinery?
Tanks
Japan was one of the 3 members of this alliance
The Axis Powers
Australia joined the war effort in Europe and North Africa almost immediately. Why?
Alliance with Britain
This fascist leader came to power in Italy in 1922, promoting extreme nationalism, territorial expansion, and authoritarian rule, and served as an inspiration to Adolf Hitler
Benito Mussolini
Large quantities of this drug enabled German troops to avoid sleep, which was a critical component of Blitzkriegs huge success
Chrystal Meth
What was the main objective of the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain?
To gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF) and prepare for a potential invasion of Britain
What was the main reason Japan launched the attack on Pearl Harbor?
To cripple the United States Pacific Fleet and remove a potential threat to their expansion in Southeast Asia
More than 130,000 allied troops, including 15,000 Australians, were captured as prisoners of war when this City unexpectedly fell to Japan
Singapore
This event in 1938 allowed Hitler to annex the German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia, despite the objections of other European powers
The Munich Conference
What was the main objective of blitzkrieg warfare?
Rapid and overwhelming force to quickly break through enemy lines and achieve swift victory.
Having been a frequent critic of appeasement, this man would Replace Neville Chamberlain as British PM on May 10 1940
Winston Churchill
This man, the President of the United States at the time, famously described Pearl Harbor as “a date which will live in infamy”
Franklin D Roosevelt
One in every 20 of these Australians made a direct contribution to Australian WWII efforts, either as servicemen or women, or civilian labourers
Indigenous Australians
The leader of the Soviet Union during World War II, whose non-aggression pact with Hitler allowed for the partition of Poland
Joseph Stalin
Coincidence? Hitler launched his invasion of France on the same day as what significant event
The day Chamberlain was replaced by Churchill
Hitler’s plan to conquer the Soviet Union, named after Medieval Emperor Frederick I
Operation Barbarossa
How did the attack on Pearl Harbor impact the United States' decision to enter World War II?
It led to the United States' entry into World War II, as the President declared war on Japan the following day, December 8, 1941
As a result of this disaster, Australia looked to the United States to provide the Naval protection we previously depended on Britain for
The fall of Singapore
This man famously said in September 1938: “This is the second time in our history that there has come back from Germany to Downing Street peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.”
Neville Chamberlain
It was said of Blitzkrieg that “In less than 100 hours the Germans gained more territory than they had” in all of which previous conflict?
World War 1
Blitzkrieg successfully encircled the allied troops, forcing them to retreat to this port city where they were surrounded
Dunkirk
“I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant” said Japanese General Yamomoto of Pearl Harbor. What did he mean?
That Pearl Harbor might have lured America, it's biggest threat, into the war
252 Allied service personnel and civilians were killed here in the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australian soil
Darwin
Debate over this once-German region of Poland ultimately led to Hitler’s invasion and the start of the War
Danzig
The Luftwaffe, the German air force, played a crucial role in supporting blitzkrieg. Who was the head of the Luftwaffe during World War II?
Herman Goring
The first 8 months of the war were characterized by almost no fighting, earning the period this nickname
The Phony War
Prior to joining the War, America had adopted this national policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries
Isolationism
This desperate and vicious seven-month campaign saw 600 Australian soldiers killed and 1600 wounded, but may have prevented a Japanese Invasion of Australia
The Kokoda Track Campaign
Anschluss, meaning to join or connect, refers to the joining of these 2 countries in March 1938. Some, though, would call it more of an annexation than a joining
Germany and Austria
The evacuation of nearly 400,000 allied troops in Dunkirk was largely thanks to what?
British Civilian Boats
Not a plane or a gun, this relatively new piece of technology was Britain's secret weapon in the battle of the skies
Radar
In 1935, congress passed this act, making it illegal for American companies to sell arms or give any foreign aid to ‘belligerents’. Think Switzerland
The Neutrality Act
So named because they lived in dug-outs, caves, and crevasses, these pesky Australians withstood German and Italian tank attacks, artillery barrages, and daily bombings for 8 months, never retreating despite being surrounded
The Rats of Tobruk
In chronological order, list all the territories Hitler ‘reclaimed’ leading to the outbreak of War
Ruhr or Rhineland
Austria
Sudetenland
Czechoslovakia
Poland
To protect itself against a German invasion, France created this line, intended to fortify its border
The Maginot Line
The Blitz marked a significant shift in tactics for the Luftwaffe. Explain this change
From destroying RAF airfields and infrastructure to bombing cities to damage morale
Why was Japan so aggressive in the Pacific?
Oil! Japan lacked the natural resources to make it a superpower, with all but 6% of its oil supply being imported
This man, Australia’s Prime Minister at the time, described it as his “melancholy duty” to inform Australians that they were now at War
Robert Menzies
Explain the connection between The Treaty of Versailles, Lebensraum and Appeasement
Why did Hitler’s campaign in the Soviet Union fail?
Logistic problems
The impact of Hitler’s involvement
German intelligence failures
Underestimating Soviet resistance
WINTER!
What was the significance of the Battle of Britain in the context of World War II?
The RAF's successful defense against the Luftwaffe prevented Germany from gaining air superiority and halted their plans for invading Britain, marking a turning point in the war. It also showed the resolve of the British people
This American ship, named after one of America’s hottest states, suffered the most casualties during the attack on Pearl Harbor
THe USS Arizona
Prisoners of War were supposed to be protected by this international agreement. Unfortunately for Australians who were captured, Japan didn’t much care for it
The Geneva Convention