World War II Study Guide

World War II Study Guide Part 1: Beginning of WWII Axis Powers ● Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis. ● They wanted to expand their territory and influence through military force. Fascism ● A totalitarian political system with a dictator, no political opposition, and strong nationalism. ● Promoted by leaders like Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany. Start of WWII in Europe ● Began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. ● Britain and France declared war on Germany shortly after. Japanese Aggression ● Japan invaded Manchuria (1931) and China (1937). ● Sought natural resources and territory in the Pacific. Pearl Harbor ● December 7, 1941: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. ● The attack aimed to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Germany Invades the Soviet Union ● Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941. ● The invasion broke a non-aggression pact and opened the Eastern Front. Other Key Early Battles/Events ● Battle of France (1940) – Germany quickly defeated France. ● Battle of Britain (1940) – Germany’s failed air campaign over the UK. ● Winter War (1939–1940) – Soviet Union invaded Finland. Part 2: War Begins to Turn Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43) ● Brutal winter battle where the Soviets defeated the Germans. ● Major turning point in the East. Island Hopping Campaign ● U.S. captured island bases like Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Peleliu to move closer to Japan. Battle of Midway (June 1942) ● U.S. Navy sank 4 Japanese carriers. ● First major defeat for Japan and a turning point in the Pacific. D-Day – Normandy Invasion (June 6, 1944) ● Allied forces stormed the beaches of France to begin liberating Western Europe. Part 3: End of the War Battle of the Bulge (1944–1945) ● Germany’s final surprise offensive in the Ardennes forest - attempted to use Blitzkrieg tactics. ● Foug ● Ultimately a defeat for the Nazis. Battle of Berlin (April–May 1945) ● Soviet troops captured Berlin. ● Adolf Hitler committed suicide. Battle of Okinawa (April–June 1945) ● Bloodiest battle in the Pacific. ● Led to the decision to use the atomic bomb instead of invading Japan. Dropping the Atomic Bomb ● August 6, 1945 – Hiroshima bombed. ● August 9, 1945 – Nagasaki bombed. ● Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945 (V-J Day). Other Key Events ● Yalta Conference (Feb 1945) – Allied leaders plan for post-war Europe. ● VE Day (May 8, 1945) – Victory in Europe. Part 4: People and Statistics World Leaders ● Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA): U.S. President during most of WWII. ● Harry Truman (USA): Took over after FDR’s death; made decision to drop atomic bombs. ● Winston Churchill (UK): British Prime Minister; inspired resistance during the Blitz. ● Joseph Stalin (USSR): Leader of the Soviet Union; major role in defeating Nazi Germany. Fascist Axis Leaders ● Adolf Hitler (Germany) – Nazi dictator responsible for starting WWII and the Holocaust. ● Benito Mussolini (Italy) – Fascist dictator and Hitler’s ally. ● Emperor Hirohito / Hideki Tojo (Japan) – Emperor and militarist Prime Minister during war. Statistics ● Over 60 million deaths worldwide. ● Millions of civilians were killed in air raids, invasions, and genocides Map Skills – Pacific and Europe Pacific Theater Locations to Label: ● Midway ● Okinawa ● Iwo Jima ● Japan ● Hawaii ● Philippines ● Guadalcanal ● Pearl Harbor European Theater Locations to Label: ● Normandy ● Berlin ● Stalingrad ● Rome ● Paris ● Moscow ● Poland ● London Important WWII Timeline Dates ● 1931 – Japan invades Manchuria. ● 1937 – Japan invades China. ● 1939 – Germany invades Poland (WWII begins). ● 1940 – Fall of France; Dunkirk Battle of Britain. ● 1941 – Germany invades Soviet Union; Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. ● 1942 – Battle of Midway; Battle of Stalingrad begins. ● 1943 – Italy surrenders; Germans occupy Rome. ● 1944 – D-Day invasion of France. ● 1945 – FDR’s Death (April) Battle of Berlin, Hitler’s death, Germany surrenders (May), Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombed (August), Japan surrenders (August 15th, 1945).