All Flashcards
Who was Adolf Hitler?
The leader of Nazi Germany, responsible for aggressive expansion and the Holocaust.
Who was Benito Mussolini?
The fascist dictator of Italy, who sought to rebuild the Roman Empire.
Who was Joseph Stalin?
The leader of the Soviet Union during WWII, known for his brutal regime and strategic importance in defeating Germany.
What role did Neville Chamberlain play?
British Prime Minister known for his policy of appeasement towards Hitler before WWII.
What was Hideki Tojo's role?
Prime Minister of Japan during much of WWII; advocated for aggressive expansion.
Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?
The President of the United States during WWII, led the country after Pearl Harbor.
What was Winston Churchill known for?
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during WWII, known for his strong leadership and defiance against Hitler.
Who was Emperor Hirohito?
The emperor of Japan during WWII, a symbol of Japanese nationalism and militarism.
Who was Charles de Gaulle?
The leader of the Free French forces during WWII, symbolizing French resistance.
What was Erwin Rommel known for?
A German field marshal known as the 'Desert Fox' for his campaigns in North Africa.
What is 'Appeasement'?
A diplomatic policy of making concessions to an aggressive power to avoid conflict.
Define 'Blitzkrieg'.
A German military tactic involving rapid, coordinated attacks using tanks, planes, and infantry.
What was the 'Anschluss'?
The annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938.
What is 'Island Hopping'?
A US military strategy in the Pacific War involving capturing key islands to advance towards Japan.
Define 'Reparations' (in context of Treaty of Versailles).
Payments imposed on Germany after WWI to cover war damages, crippling its economy.
What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?
A non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939.
What was the Weimar Republic?
The German government between 1919 and 1933, characterized by political instability and economic woes.
What is meant by 'Remilitarization'?
The act of rebuilding military forces in a region or country, specifically referring to Hitler's actions in the Rhineland.
What was the League of Nations?
An international organization founded after World War I to promote peace and cooperation, but was ultimately ineffective in preventing WWII.
What is meant by 'Economic Sanctions'?
Trade restrictions imposed by one or more countries on another to force a change in policy, as used by the US against Japan.
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
- It imposed harsh terms on Germany, contributing to resentment and instability.
When did Germany invade Poland?
- This event triggered declarations of war from Britain and France, starting WWII.
When was the Battle of Britain?
- The UK successfully defended against German air attacks, a crucial turning point.
When was Pearl Harbor attacked?
December 7, 1941. This event brought the US into WWII.
When was the Battle of Stalingrad?
1942-1943. A major turning point on the Eastern Front, with Soviet forces defeating the Germans.
When was D-Day?
June 6, 1944. The Allied landing in Normandy marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe.
When were Atomic Bombs dropped on Japan?
August 6 and 9, 1945. The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender.
When did Germany surrender (V-E Day)?
May 8, 1945. Marks the end of WWII in Europe.
When was the Invasion of Italy?
- Allied forces landed in Sicily, leading to the downfall of Mussolini.
When did Germany invade the USSR?
- This opened the Eastern Front, a brutal and decisive theater of WWII.