Download WW2 Packet

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Block: ____Name: _________________________________________Today’s Date: _________________ Due Date: ______________
USII.7abc
World War II
1939 – 1945
Special Note: pages 2,3 & 4 contain the Essential Knowledge for this SOL. It is your responsibility to study this
information, learn it, and know it for your quiz and test. This packet is intended to help you practice and understand
this SOL better. Work hard and do your best! 
Use the boxes below to write notes to aid in your review of content standards for SOL testing. Both boxes must be filled in with as
much information as possible. Failure to do so will result in a 5 point deduction of the grade for this packet.
Key Vocabulary
Key Individuals
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STANDARD USII.7a
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major causes and effects of American involvement in World War II by
a) identifying the causes and events that led to American involvement in the war, including the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Essential
Understandings
Political and economic
conditions in Europe
following World War I
led to the rise of
fascism and to World
War II.
Essential Questions
Essential Knowledge
How did post-World War I Europe
set the stage for World War II?
Causes of World War II
 Political instability and economic devastation
in Europe resulting from World War I:
– Worldwide depression
– High war debt owed by Germany
– High inflation
– Massive unemployment
 Rise of Fascism:
– Fascism is political philosophy in which
total power is given to a dictator and
individual freedoms are denied and
nationalism and, often, racism are
emphasized.
– Fascist dictators included Adolf Hitler
(Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and
Hideki Tojo (Japan).
– These dictators led the countries that
became known as the Axis Powers.
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
The rise of fascism
threatened peace in
Europe and Asia.
As conflict grew in
Europe and Asia,
American foreign
policy evolved from
neutrality to direct
involvement.
How did the rise of fascism affect
world events following World
War I?
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
How did American policy toward
events in Europe and Asia change
over time?
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Essential Skills
Make connections
between the past and
the present. (USII.1b)
Sequence events in
United States history.
(USII.1c)
Interpret ideas and
events from different
historical perspectives.
(USII.1d)
Analyze and interpret
maps that include major
physical features.
(USII.1f)
The Allies
 Democratic nations (the United States, Great
Britain, Canada) were known as the Allies.
The Soviet Union joined the Allies after being
invaded by Germany.
 Allied leaders included Franklin D. Roosevelt
and, later, Harry S. Truman (United States),
Winston Churchill (Great Britain), and Joseph
Stalin (Soviet Union).
Gradual change in American policy from
neutrality to direct involvement
 Isolationism (Great Depression, legacy of
World War I)
 Economic aid to Allies
 Direct involvement in the war
War in the Pacific
 Rising tension developed between the United
States and Japan because of Japanese
aggression in East Asia.
 On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the
United States at Pearl Harbor without
warning.
 The United States declared war on Japan.
 Germany declared war on the United States.
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STANDARD USII.7b
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major causes and effects of American involvement in World War II by
b) locating and describing the major events and turning points of the war in Europe and the Pacific.
Essential
Understandings
Essential Questions
Despite initial Axis
success in both
Europe and the
Pacific, the Allies
persevered and
ultimately defeated
Germany and Japan.
What were the major events and
turning points of World War II?
The Holocaust is an
example of prejudice
and discrimination
taken to the extreme.
What was the Holocaust?
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Essential Knowledge
Essential Skills
Major events and turning points of World War II
 Germany invaded Poland, setting off war in Europe.
The Soviet Union also invaded Poland and the Baltic
nations.
 Germany invaded France and captured Paris.
 Germany bombed London, and the Battle of Britain
began.
 The United States gave Britain war supplies and old
naval warships in return for military bases in
Bermuda and the Caribbean (Lend Lease).
 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
 After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Germany declared
war on the United States.
 The United States declared war on Japan and
Germany.
 The United States was victorious over Japan in the
Battle of Midway. This victory was the turning point
of the war in the Pacific.
 Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Soviet
Union defeated Germany at Stalingrad, marking the
turning point of the war in Eastern Europe.
 American and other Allied troops landed in
Normandy, France, on D-Day to begin the liberation
of Western Europe.
 The United States dropped two atomic bombs on
Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) in 1945, forcing
Japan to surrender and ending World War II.
Sequence events in
United States
history. (USII.1c)
Interpret events
from different
historical
perspectives.
(USII.1d)
Analyze and
interpret maps that
include major
physical features.
(USII.1f)
The Holocaust
 Anti-Semitism
 Aryan supremacy
 Systematic attempt to rid Europe of all Jews
 Tactics:
– Boycott of Jewish stores
– Threats
– Segregation
– Imprisonment and killing of Jews and others in
concentration camps and death camps
 Liberation by Allied forces of Jews and others who
survived in concentration camps
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STANDARD USII.7c
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major causes and effects of American involvement in World War II by
c) describing the impact of the war on the home front.
Essential Understandings
Essential Questions
World War II affected every
aspect of American life.
How did Americans at home
support the war effort?
Americans were asked to make
sacrifices in support of the war
effort and the ideals for which
Americans fought.
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
What effect did the war have on
race relations in America?
____________________________
____________________________
Essential Knowledge
Essential Skills
American involvement in World
War II brought an end to the
Great Depression. Factories and
workers were needed to produce
goods to win the war.
Make connections between the
past and the present. (USII.1b)
Thousands of American women
took jobs in defense plants
during the war (e.g., Rosie the
Riveter).
Interpret ideas and events from
different historical perspectives.
(USII.1d)
Sequence events in United
States history. (USII.1c)
Americans at home supported
the war by conserving and
rationing resources.
____________________________
The need for workers
temporarily broke down some
racial barriers (e.g., hiring in
defense plants), although
discrimination against African
Americans continued.
While many Japanese
Americans served in the armed
forces, others were treated with
distrust and prejudice, and many
were forced into internment
camps.
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Before you begin this new unit on World War II, read the letter below of a British
soldier who is about to enter the Battle of Arnhem. Many times soldiers would write
letters such as this as their last words home should they not make it out of the battle.
After you have finished reading the letter, answer these questions:
1. What type of war do you think World War II was to inspire a 21 year old soldier to write this type of letter
home to his mother?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you believe that Ivor’s sentiments (thoughts/feelings) were isolated? Meaning, do you believe that Ivor
was the only soldier who felt like he did? Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. From what you already know about World War II, do you believe that the world needed to get involved in
the war? Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What do you believe ultimately happened to Ivor? Do you believe his letter was mailed home or carried
home?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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Ivor Rowbery
Age: 21
Private Ivor Rowbery, of the South Staffordshire Regiment, wrote this letter to his mother just before the Arnhem Battle and placed it
in an envelope on which he wrote, “To the Best Mother in the World”.
Dear Mom,
Usually when I write a letter it is very much overdue, and I make every effort to get it away quickly. This letter, however,
is different. It is a letter I hoped you would never receive, as it is just a verification of that terse, black-edged card which
you received some time ago, and which has caused you so much grief. It is because of this grief that I wrote this letter,
and by the time you have finished reading it I hope that it has done some good, and that I have not written it in vain. It is
very difficult to write now of future things in the past tense, so I am returning to the present.
Tomorrow we go into action. As yet we do not know exactly what our job will be, but no doubt it will be a dangerous
one in which many lives will be lost – mine may be one of those lives.
Well, Mom, I am not afraid to die. I like this life, yes – for the past two years I have planned and dreamed and mapped
out a perfect future for myself. I would have liked that future to materialize, but it is not what I will but what God wills,
and if by sacrificing all this I leave that world slightly better than I found it I am perfectly willing to make that sacrifice.
Don’t get me wrong though, Mom, I am no flag-waving patriot, nor have I ever professed to be.
England’s a great little country – the best there is – but I cannot honestly and sincerely say “that it is worth fighting for.”
Nor can I fancy myself in the role of a gallant crusader fighting for the liberation of Europe. It would be a nice thought
but I would only be kidding myself. No, Mom, my little world is centered around you and includes Dad, everyone at
home, and my friends at W’ton – That is worth fighting for – and if by doing so it strengthens your security and improves
your lot in any way, then it is worth dying for too.
Now this is where I come to the point of this letter. As I have already stated, I am not afraid to die and am perfectly
willing to do so, if, by my doing so, you benefit in any way whatsoever. If you do not then my sacrifice is all in vain. Have
you benefited, Mom, or have you cried and worried yourself sick? I fear it is the latter. Don’t you see, Mom, that it will
do me no good, and that in addition you are undoing all the good work I have tried to do. Grief is hypocritical, useless
and unfair, and does neither you nor me any good.
I want no flowers, no epitaph, no tears. All I want is for you to remember me and feel proud of me, then I shall rest in
peace knowing that I have done a good job. Death is nothing final or lasting, if it were there would be no point in living,
it is just a stage in everyone’s life. To some it comes early, to others late, but it must come to everyone sometimes, and
surely there is no better way of dying.
Besides I have probably crammed more enjoyment into my 21 years than some manage to do in 80. My only regret is
that I have not done as much for you as I would have liked to do. I loved you, Mom, you were the best Mother in the
World, and what I failed to do in life I am trying to make up for in death, so please don’t let me down, Mom don’t worry
or fret, but smile, be proud and satisfied. I never had much money, but little I have is all your. Please don’t be silly and
sentimental about it, and don’t try to spend it on me. Spend it on yourself or the kiddies, it will do some good that way.
Remember that where I am I am quite O.K., and providing I know you are not grieving over me I shall be perfectly happy.
Well, Mom, that is all, and I hope I have not written it all in vain. Good-bye, and thanks for everything.
Your unworthy son,
Easy Extra Point: Read this letter to your parents/guardians and
have them sign below.
X
_________________________________________________
Ivor
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World War II
World War II essentially stopped the world between 1939 and 1945. To this day, WWII remains the most
geographically widespread military conflict the modern world has ever seen. Although the fighting reached
across many parts of the world, most countries involved shared a united effort under the Allied leadership of
Great Britain, France, Soviet Union and the United States. These countries were the major contributors to the
Allied Powers aimed at ending the aggression of the Axis Powers composed of Germany, Italy and Japan.
(Italy will defect to the Allied side later in 1943 when their fascist dictator Benito Mussolini is captured by
Italian partisans – Mussolini will be assassinated in April 1945 by these partisans). Despite the fact that
Germany and Japan were technically allies, they had vastly different motives and objectives. Therefore, most
studies of WWII cover the conflicts with Germany and Japan separately, dividing the war into the European
Theater and Pacific Theater of operations.
Europe
Asia
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
European Theater of War
Pacific Theater of War
European Theater
Pacific Theater
Main “Enemy” to
the Allied Powers
Leaders
Germany
Japan
Adolf Hitler
Why they were an
enemy to the
United States?
End Result
Holocaust
Hideki Tojo (Prime Minister)
Emperor Hirohito (Emperor)
Imperialism of Asia and Attack of
American military at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii
Japan sign official surrender on
September 2, 1945. Emperor Hirohito
is allowed to stay in power as it was
deemed that Prime Minister Tojo was
responsible for Japan’s war efforts.
Hitler died and Germany surrendered on
May 8, 1945. Germany divided into 2
countries (East Germany and West
Germany) and the capital city of Berlin
was divided into 4 military each controlled
by 1 of the four main Allied counties.
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Causes of World War II
World War II was not an isolated event. Many books, movies and television programs present WWII as the “Good War”
fought to get rid of the “Bad Guys” for the good of the whole world. And in many ways it was a war of good vs evil. The
Axis Power led by the Nazi Party in Germany were bad. The Nazi Party gained power by promising to restore Germany to
her glory. Ever since the Treaty of Versailles was ratified in 1919, Germany had been hit by (1) a worldwide depression,
(2) high War Debt (caused by massive war reparations), (3) high Inflation, and (4) massive unemployment. Germans
were, for a lack of better words, desperate and willing to trust anyone who could offer them any type of relief from
those horrible times.
The Nazi Party offered relief to the German people, but at a horrific price. It is very important to understand that while
the Nazi Party was centered in Germany, it does not mean that all Germans were Nazis. The Nazi Party was a political
party. The Nazi Party is responsible for carrying out the Holocaust and The Final Solution which caused the deaths of
over 12 million people in Europe, 6 million of which were targeted above all others, the Jewish race of Europe. So why
did the German people elect Adolf Hitler in 1933 as Reich Chancellor? Because when the human race becomes so
desperate for change, they are willing to try anything thinking that something has to be better than what they currently
have. Have you ever heard the expression:
The Nazi Party used that way of thinking to lure people into supporting
them. They also gave people an excuse for their horrible lot in life by
blaming all of Germany’s problems on the Jewish race. This is called:
Scapegoating. Scapegoating is when you blame someone else for your
problems. The Jewish race did nothing to bring this type of discrimination
and murder upon themselves. Unfortunately though, there was enough
despair within the people of Germany that they allowed the Scapegoating
to evolve (grow) from taunting to bullying; bullying to discrimination; and
ultimately discrimination to murder.
This form of leadership is not one that tends to development in most
democratic nations. When any government holds absolute authority such
as the Nazi Party of Germany, Dictatorships develop.
Rise of Fascism
Fascism is a political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual freedoms are
denied while nationalism and often, racism are emphasized. Fascist dictators of WWII included Adolf Hitler
(Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Hideki Tojo (Japan). These dictators came together to lead their
countries and became known as the Axis Powers. A Fascist regime (government) can be very scary. When a
country is ruled by a Fascist dictator, there is no voice for the common man. Whatever a Fascist dictator
says, is law. If he sentences you to death, then death it is, without question or argument. In fact,
questioning such a Fascist leader will in all likelihood, get you a death sentence.
So who would dare stand up to the Fascist dictators of the Axis Powers? The Allied Powers did. The Democratic nations
of Great Britain, France, and Canada were known as the Allies. The Soviet Union later joined the Allies after being
invaded by Germany and the United States joined the Allied powers after being attacked by Japan on December 07, 1941
at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
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European Theater 1939–1945
Europe erupted into a second world war on September 01, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Prior to invading Poland, Hitler signed a secret agreement with
Stalin (the communist Tsar of Russia) called the Non-Aggression Pact. In this pact, the two nations agreed not to invade each other. Germany knew that they
wanted to retake land that was lost over the last hundred years in various wars. The Nazi Party argued that most of modern Poland and parts of western Russia had,
at one time, been part of a larger German Republic. As Poland bordered Russia, Germany did not want Russia knowing their plans for invasion. The NonAggression Pact allowed German soldiers to invade Poland and set up troops along the Russian border without alarming the Russian troops. After all, even though
modern American text books tend to present Stalin as an “Allie” on the “good side” of WWII, he himself was
a dictator and a tyrant leader whom we know today as responsible for over 50 million of his own people’s
deaths. (He was not a very nice man and you definitely would not want to invite him over for dinner).
Many historians believe that Hitler really created this pact because he feared Stalin and his Russian troops.
Hitler thought the only way Germany could beat Russia would be to take Russia by surprise. It
worked…Kind of. That is until Stalin realized what was going on, and then watch-out Hitler, because no one
messed with the Stalin. With the help of the Russian troops maintaining the eastern front of the European
Theater and the British, French, American and Canadian troops holding down the western front of the
European Theater and northern Africa, it was only a matter of time before the Germans surrendered. Taking
on a two-front war like they had in Europe ended up not being such a good thing for the Germans…but a
great thing for the rest of humanity.
Directions: Complete the missing terms/phrases below:
1. Political __________________________ and ___________________________ devastation in
Europe resulting from
_________________________ included:
(A) ______________________________________________________________
(B) ______________________________________________________________
(C) ______________________________________________________________
(D) ______________________________________________________________
2. Rise of _______________________________, a political philosophy in which _____________ power is given to a ____________________ and
individual freedoms are denied and nationalism and often, _______________ are emphasized.
3. Fascist dictators included _____________________ (Germany), Benito Mussolini (________________), and ______________________(Japan).
4. These dictators led the countries that became known as the __________________ Powers.
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Meanwhile…
Pacific Theater 1941–1945
The United States had long maintained an isolationist foreign policy when it came to European problems. Ever since the Great Depression hit America in 1929,
America was trying to focus on herself and FDR was leading the revolution for social and government change in the hope of getting America out of the
Depression. Policies such as the ________ ________ helped America, but it did not end the Depression. The crank-up of American factories to produce and sell
(at huge marked-up prices) war supplies helped end the Depression in the US. So America’s foreign policy went from:
___________________________ to ______________________________ to ___________________________
The US’ direct involvement came on December 8, 1941, when FDR asked congress for a
Declaration of War against the empire of Japan. FDR’s request came 24 hours after Japan’s
navy attacked American Naval forces on the Island of Oahu on December 07, 1941. The
Japanese attack came in two waves. The first wave of
attack engaged between 7:40 and 7:55 am. The Americans
were completely caught off guard. America was not
anticipating an attack by Japan, let alone on a Sunday. To
make matters worse for the Americans, Hawaii wasn’t
even a state. It was simply military installation our Navy
and Air Force used to mobilize troops to the Pacific region
(ever since the Spanish-American war of ________).
The Second wave of attack by Japan came at ________am.
The first attack wave targets airfields and battleships. The
second wave targets other ships and shipyard facilities. The air raid lasts until 9:45 a.m. Due to
the lack in international communication, word of the Japanese attack did not reach the mainland
until after the attack was over. In the end, eight battleships were severely damaged, five ships
sunk along with three light cruisers, three destroyers and three smaller vessels along with 188
aircraft. The casualty list includes 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians killed, with 1,178
wounded. Included are 1,104 men aboard the Battleship USS Arizona killed after a 1,760-pound air bomb penetrated into the forward magazine
causing catastrophic explosions. America immediately declared war on Japan, and because of the Axis alliance, Germany then declared war on the
United States. The US then found itself in the middle of two wars of the ___________________________ and the __________________________
and the leader in what would become history’s iconic war.
1. Rising tension developed between the _________________________ and ______________ due to Japan’s _____________________ in East Asia.
2. On __________________________, Japan attacked the United States at ____________________________ without ________________________.
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European Theater
Directions: Label the map below to reflect the Neutral, Axis and Allied powers of World War II.
DMake sure to label each country and major body of water and include the key as part of your labeling.
Austria
Black Sea
Morocco
Key/Legend
Represented by
Countries/Allegiances
Allied Powers
Axis Powers
Neutral Countries
Represented By:
Battle of Normandy
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Britain
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Pacific Theater
Directions: Label the map below to reflect the Neutral, Axis and Allied powers of World War II.
Make sure to label each country and major body of water and include the key as part of your labeling.
Burma
Australia
Key/Legend
Represented by Countries/Allegiances
Allied Powers
Axis Powers
Neutral Countries
Represented By:
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Battle of Midway
Bombings of Nagasaki & Hiroshima
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On December 08, 1941, FDR delivered the following speech with will forever live as an iconic
remembrance of American’s greatest generation:
“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and
deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its
government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese
Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American
message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained
no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many
days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the
United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to
tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the
high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and
today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the
implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always
will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might,
will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to
the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable
triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a
state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire”.
-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 08, 1941
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WWII Review Part I
Political __________________
resulting from the Treaty of
______________________.
High war debt owned by
_______________________
Rise of ___________________
in Italy.
Major Causes
of
World War II
World Wide
High ____________________
_________________________
Massive
_________________________
List the participating members of the alliances below:
Allied Powers
Axis Powers
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The Holocaust
An Important Note to You the Student: In the face of an evil like the Holocaust, making a true connection with
the victims can be overwhelming. Separating the victims from the numbers in order to comprehend the scope
and horror of the Holocaust is nearly impossible. Museums, books, and pictures try to help educate people;
but the fact will always remain that more than twelve million people, six million Jews alone, were slaughtered,
at the hands of other humans. This is a tremendously difficult reality to grasp both emotionally and
intellectually. The enormous number of victims and the many ways in which they were tortured and murdered
are so widespread that it is incredibly easy for anyone to get lost the reality of the event. But it did happen.
The Holocaust was real and still is real today. Nothing and no one will ever make that fact go away. If this is a
difficult topic for you to study, please note that while you will study the basic provisions and facts of the
Holocaust, the actual extent of depth in which you study the Holocaust is always up to you. No matter how
many years go by, those events will not, must not, be forgotten.
Directions: Define the following terms
1. Anti-Semitism: ___________________________________________________________________________
2. Aryan supremacy: _________________________________________________________________________
The Nazi Party prided itself in scapegoating the problems of Germany on the Jewish race. However, there
were millions of other people that were scapegoated by the Nazi also. Some of those groups include: Poles
(people from ____________), Romani –AKA: Gypsies (nomadic peoples from northwest India), Catholics,
Social Dissidents (people who spoke out or questioned the __________________), Prisoners of War (POWs),
the Handicapped and Disabled (both physically and ______________), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Homosexuals and
African-German children to name a few.
At first the Nazi’s didn’t know exactly what to do with these groups of “unclean” people. So they started
boycotting their stores and places of business hoping they would leave Germany voluntarily. When that didn’t
work, the Nazi’s began threatening the groups; even encouraging young members of German society to
engage in such hateful behavior towards these groups. But as history has shown the world, threats only go so
far before actions need to take place and the threats were eventually replaced by segregation. The
segregation was cruel, inhumane and subhuman. Members of these groups were forcibly taken away from
their homes and towns and placed in Ghettos. The ghettos were heavily guarded and were without basic
necessities to endure life. Hundreds of thousands died in these Ghettos, all because they didn’t have
something as simple as basic medical necessities or even clean water or food.
When the Ghettos became too big for the Nazi’s to control Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Goering
and Reinhard Heydrich devised a “complete solution to the Jewish question”. They developed a systematic
way to “eliminate” the Jews of Europe. They Imprisoned and killed of Jews and others in concentration camps
and death camps.
From that point on throughout German-occupied Europe, the Germans began arresting those who resisted
their domination and those they judged to be racially inferior or politically unacceptable. These people were
mostly sent by train to forced-labor or concentration camps. While there were many camps, the list the
follows outlines some of the more well known work and death camps of Europe.
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Concentration and Death Camps
Camp
Function
Location
Est.
Evacuated
Liberated
Est. No.
Murdered
Auschwitz
Concentration/
Extermination
Oswiecim, Poland (near
Krakow)
May 26,
1940
Jan. 18, 1945
Jan. 27, 1945
by Soviets
1,100,000
Belzec
Extermination
Belzec, Poland
March
17, 1942
Liquidated by
Nazis
December 1942
Bergen-Belsen
Detention;
Concentration
(After 3/44)
near Hanover, Germany
April
1943
April 15, 1945 by
British
Buchenwald
Concentration
Buchenwald, Germany
(near Weimar)
July 16,
1937
Chelmno
Extermination
Chelmno, Poland
Dec. 7,
1941;
June 23,
1944
Dachau
Concentration
Mauthausen
Concentration
Mauthausen, Austria
(near Linz)
Aug. 8,
1938
Neuengamme
Sub-camp of
Sachsenhausen;
Concentration
(After 6/40)
Hamburg, Germany
Dec. 13,
1938
April 29, 1945
May 1945
by British
Plaszow
Concentration
(After 1/44)
Krakow, Poland
Oct.
1942
Summer 1944
Jan. 15, 1945 by
Soviets
Sobibor
Extermination
Sobibor, Poland (near
Lublin)
March
1942
Revolt on October 14, 1943;
Liquidated by Nazis October
1943
Summer 1944
by Soviets
Stutthof
Concentration
(After 1/42)
near Danzig, Poland
Sept. 2,
1939
Jan. 25, 1945
May 9, 1945
by Soviets
65,000
Theresienstadt
Concentration
Terezin, Czech Republic
(near Prague)
Nov. 24,
1941
Handed over to Red Cross May
3, 1945
May 8, 1945
by Soviets
33,000
Treblinka
Extermination
Treblinka, Poland (near
Warsaw)
July 23,
1942
Revolt on April 2, 1943;
Liquidated by Nazis April 1943
Dachau, Germany (near
March
Munich)
22, 1933
April 6, 1945
April 26, 1945
600,000
35,000
April 11, 1945
Self-Liberated;
April 11, 1945
by Americans
Closed March
1943 (but
reopened);
Liquidated by
Nazis
July 1944
320,000
April 29, 1945
by Americans
32,000
May 5, 1945
by Americans
120,000
56,000
8,000
250,000
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The Battle of Stalingrad
Date – Winter of 1942 – 1943
Conflict – World War II
Participants – German Vs Russian Troops
Location – Stalingrad, Russia
Interesting Facts –
 Turning Point of the European Theater
 Both the Russia and German Armies had over 1 million
men fighting at Stalingrad – Each!
 91,000 Germans were taken prisoner by the Russians
Some historians believe that Hitler ordered the taking of Stalingrad simply
because of the name of the city and Hitler's hatred of Joseph Stalin. For the
same reason Stalin ordered that the city had to be saved.
In September 1942, the German commander General Paulus advanced on the
city of Stalingrad. His primary task was to secure the oil fields there. Stalingrad
was also an important target as it was Russia’s center of communications and
manufacturing for the country.
The battle for the city descended into one of the most brutal in World War
Two. The Germans took a great deal of the city but they failed to fully assert
their authority. Areas captured by the Germans during the day, were re-taken
by the Russians at night. In addition, the Germans also had to face the harsh
Russian winter. Temperatures dropped well below zero and food, ammunition
and heat were in short supply since Stalin had ordered all food and shelters to
be destroyed before the Germans had arrived.
Hitler ordered that Paulus should “fight to the last bullet”. However, by the end
of January 1943, the Germans could do nothing else but surrender. The failure
of the German Army was nothing short of a disaster. With such a massive loss
of manpower and equipment, the Germans simply did not have enough
manpower to cope with the Russian advance to Germany when it came. The
battle at Stalingrad bled the German army dry in Russia and after this defeat,
the Germany Army was in full retreat.
Operation Overlord
“D-Day”
Date – June 06, 1944
Conflict – World War II
Participants – US, Britain, France, Canada Vs German
Location – Various beaches of Normandy, France
Interesting Facts –



Planned by General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Largest Seaborne invasion in modern history
Allied troops had been waiting in boats to cross the English
Channel for up to 48 hours before they were given the go-ahead to
attack. Many of these soldiers became grossly sea sick as they
raided the shores.
Overnight between June 5th and the morning of June 6th, roughly 20,000
British and American airborne troops had been dropped by parachute behind
Germany lines and were ordered to do as much damage as possible before the
ground troops arrived by sea. Meanwhile, over 6,000 ships carrying hundreds
of thousands of Allied soldiers were
making their way across the English
Channel to five separate beaches with
the hope that the airborne troops and
the ground troops would meet up again
as they pushed the Germans off the
beaches of France and back toward
Germany.
The first wave alone brought 150,000
Allied soldiers to the French shore. Waiting for the Allied troops were the
significantly better positioned German soldiers who held the higher ground
positions above the beaches. The first day of the invasion was costly for the
Allies in terms of casualties—especially at one landing point, Omaha Beach
were over 4,000 Allied soldiers died—but the Germans were vastly
outnumbered and rapidly overwhelmed by the incoming forces. The Allies
therefore accomplished nearly all of their set objectives for the first day, which
included fully securing the landing areas.
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Attack at Pearl Harbor
Date – December 07, 1941
Conflict – World War II
Participants – Japan Vs United States
Location – Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Interesting Facts –
 Hawaii was not a US state at the time
Japan had been at war with China since 1937 and was trying to take over as
much of eastern Asia as it could. It also had serious ambitions toward taking
territory in the Soviet Union. If Germany, which the Japanese government saw
as a potential ally, would attack Russia from the west, Japanese military leaders
felt they stood a good chance of seizing Soviet-controlled territory in the east.
Throughout the 1930s, because of the Great Depression, the United States and
many other European nations placed high tariffs on Japan. Because of these
taxes Japanese oil, scrap metal and other materials were not being purchased
by Americans. Japan lost millions of dollars in revenue which created a
depression in Japan. Japan became very hostile towards the United States.
Then on September 27, 1940, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany
and _____________. The pact made the three nations official allies and formed
the ____________ Powers.
As early as January 1941, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku developed a
plan for attacking the U.S. fleet at _____________________ and carried out
training exercises to prepare specifically for such an attack.
Japan’s goal was to make a permanent end to Western interference in its
affairs by obliterating the U.S. and British military forces in the Pacific.
On the morning of December _____, 1941, a fleet of six aircraft carriers,
twenty-five submarines, and nearly three dozen additional support ships were
sitting 200 miles north of the Hawaiian island of Oahu—in the open sea, far
beyond the line of sight of any U.S. forces. The first wave of Japanese planes
numbered more than 180. Although U.S. radar operators saw the massive
formation nearly a full hour before the attack began, they raised no alarm,
because they mistook the planes for a group of U.S. bombers expected to
arrive from California around the same time.
The first wave of Japanese bombers arrived at the U.S. Navy base at Pearl
Harbor at 7:55 A.M. and was a complete surprise to US service members there;
only nine Japanese planes were lost. The primary targets were major U.S.
warships, most of which were docked close together in neat lines. These
included eight of the nine battleships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, along with
several dozen other warships. The Japanese also targeted six nearby military
airfields. A second attack wave of more than 160 planes followed just over an
hour later. By this time, the Americans were well alerted and managed to bring
down twenty Japanese planes.
In all, the attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,402 Americans, completely destroyed
five battleships, damaged three more battleships, sank or seriously damaged at
least eleven other warships, and destroyed nearly 180 aircraft on the ground.
The only good luck the U.S. Navy had was that none of its aircraft carriers were
in port at the time and that the Japanese bombers failed to hit the large fuel
reserves in the area.
In addition to attacking Pearl Harbor that day, Japan also attacked the U.S.
territories of Guam, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Midway Island, as well as
British interests in Malaya and Hong Kong.
The next day, December 8, Roosevelt went before both houses of the U.S.
Congress to request a declaration of war against Japan. After only a few hours,
the declaration was formalized by Congress. Britain declared war on Japan the
same day. Three days later, Germany declared war on the United States. Thus,
the United States was now at war with both Japan and Germany and able to
enter fully into its alliance with Britain.
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Battle of Midway
Date – June 04, 1942
Conflict – World War II
Participants – Japan Vs. United States
Location – Midway Island
Interesting Facts –

Turning point for the war in the Pacific
Directions: Complete the outline below in the same format as the
previous battles you have read in this packet.
Battle of Britain
Date – _______________________________
Conflict – ____________________________
Participants – ______________________________________
Location – _________________________________________
On June 3, 1942, US Naval vessels carried out a light bombing raid on
Japanese carriers. Then early in the morning on June 4, 1942, Japan
initiated a massive attack on the US base at Midway Island. American
naval planes responded against the Japanese armada in a series of
waves. Although the first American attacks were easily defeated by the
Japanese, a group of U.S. dive-bombers finally got through Japanese
defenses and near three of Japan’s aircraft carriers, whose decks were
loaded with freshly fueled aircrafts preparing for takeoff. The American
bombers managed to hit the planes on all three carriers’ decks, setting
off a chain of explosions that engulfed the ships in flames and set off
ammunition stores in the lower decks of the giant ships. All three
carriers were put out of commission and were eventually scuttled by the
Japanese themselves. That afternoon, a fourth Japanese carrier was
damaged beyond repair.
The Battle of Midway only lasted one day. In all, the United States lost
one aircraft carrier, one destroyer, nearly 150 airplanes, and just over
300 men. The Japanese toll was far worse: four aircraft carriers, along
with more than 230 airplanes and more than 2,000 men.
Interesting Facts –
 _____________________________________________
 _____________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
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Directions: List 20 events that transpired during World War II. Please only list events that had a direct impact on or were a direct cause of WWII.
World War II Timeline
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
Directions: Use your text books, notes and supplemental materials to add significant events of the Second World War to the above timeline.
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Life on American’s Homefront
While many
Japanese
Americans
served in the
armed forces,
others were
treated with
distrust and
prejudice, and
many were
forced into
internment
camps.
Thousands of American
women took jobs in defense
plants during the war (e.g.,
Rosie the Riveter).
Americans at home
supported the war by
conserving and
rationing resources.
American
involvement in
World War II
brought an end to the
Great Depression.
Factories and
workers were needed
to produce goods to
win the war.
The need for workers
temporarily broke down
some racial barriers (e.g.,
hiring in defense plants),
although discrimination
against African Americans
continued.
This is an image of __________________________________.
Directions: On the lines below, write a radio commercial urging
young American women to join the work force in order to help the
war effort. Be sure to include (a) the type of business (b) why they
should work there and (c) how working there will benefit America.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
World War II Open Book/Notes Quiz
1. Causes of World War II
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 _________________________________ and __________________________________ in Europe resulting from World War I:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
2. Rise of Fascism:
– Fascism is political philosophy in which ____________ power is given to a ________________________ and individual
freedoms are _____________________ and nationalism and, often, racism are emphasized.
– Fascist dictators included _____________________________ (Germany), Benito Mussolini (________________), and
Hideki Tojo (_________________).
– These _________________________ led the countries that became known as the Axis Powers.
3. The Allies
 __________________________________ nations (the United States, Great Britain, Canada) were known as the Allies. The Soviet
Union joined the Allies after being invaded by ____________________________________.
 Allied leaders included _____________________________________________and, later, Harry S. Truman (United States),
Winston Churchill (____________________________________), and ___________________________________ (Soviet Union).
4. Gradual change in American policy from neutrality to direct involvement
5. War in the Pacific
 Rising tension developed between the United States and ______________ because of Japanese aggression in _________________.
 On ________________________________________, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor without warning.
 The United States declared war on ____________________.
 _______________________________ declared war on the United States.
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6. Major events and turning points of World War II
 Germany invaded _____________________, setting off war in Europe. The ___________________________ also invaded Poland
and the ________________________ nations.
 ___________________________ invaded ________________________and captured Paris.
 Germany bombed __________________________________, and the Battle of _________________________ began.
 The United States gave Britain ______________________________ and old naval warships in return for military bases in
_______________________________ and the _______________________________ (Lend Lease).
 _____________________ bombed Pearl Harbor.
 After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, ______________________________declared war on the United States.
 The United States declared war on _________________________ and _____________________________.
 The United States was victorious over Japan in the Battle of ___________________________. This victory was the turning point
of the war in the ___________________________.
 Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union defeated Germany at __________________________________, marking
the _______________________________________of the war in ___________________________ Europe.
 American and other Allied troops landed in ____________________________, France, on ________________________________
to begin the liberation of ____________________________ Europe.
 The United States dropped _________atomic bombs on Japan (_________________________and _______________________) in
1945, forcing Japan to surrender and ____________________________________ World War II.
7. The Holocaust
 Anti-Semitism: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
 Aryan supremacy: __________________________________________________________________________________________
 Systematic attempt to rid Europe of all Jews: ____________________________________________________________________
 Tactics:
TACTICS used
by the NAZI’s
during the
HOLOCAUST
Liberation by ___________________ forces of Jews and others who survived in ___________________________ camps.
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8. America’s Homefront
American involvement in World War II brought an end to the ______________________________________. Factories and workers
were needed to produce goods to ______________________________________________.
Thousands of American _________________________ took jobs in _____________________________________during the war
(e.g., Rosie the ________________________).
Americans at home supported the war by _____________________________ and ________________________ resources.
The need for workers temporarily __________________________________ some _______________________ barriers (e.g., hiring
in defense plants), although ________________________________ against African Americans ______________________________.
While many Japanese Americans served in the armed forces, others were treated with _________________________
and ____________________________, and many were forced into ____________________________________ camps.
1.
What event in 1939 started World War II?
A
B
C
D
2.
3.
A
B
C
D
5.
7.
8.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
General Douglas MacArthur
General Bernard Montgomery
General John Pershing
Germans are the master race.
A strong dictatorship is the best form of government.
Government should own all farms and factories.
The purpose of government is to protect people’s
rights.
Which famous battle fought on Russian soil halted the
German advance in WWII?
A
B
C
D
9.
Island hopping
Tank attacks in north Africa
Convoy supply lines in southwest Asia
Kamikaze attacks
Which statement of opinion best describes fascism?
A
B
C
D
Germany’s invasion of Poland
Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor
Hitler’s killing of Jewish people
The sinking of American ships by German submarines
Who was the commanding general of the United States
forces in Europe during World War II?
Which was part of the United States strategy to defeat
Japan?
A
B
C
D
Mussolini – Italy
Stalin – Russia
Hitler – Germany
Churchill – France
Which event in 1941 caused the United States to enter
World War II?
A
B
C
D
4.
Germany’s invasion of Poland
Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor
Hitler’s killing of Jewish people
The sinking of American ships by German submarines
Which wartime leader is incorrectly matched with his
country?
A
B
C
D
6.
Alamein
Gallipoli
Normandy
Stalingrad
By the end of 1940, the United States began sending
supplies to Britain through the
A
B
C
D
Berlin Airlift.
Lend-Lease Program.
Good Neighbor Policy.
New Deal.
Which event of 1945 happened first?
A
B
C
D
Hitler committed suicide.
The United States dropped two atomic bombs.
The Battle of Normandy took place.
Japan surrendered.
10. President Truman defended his decision to drop the Abomb by arguing that it would
A
B
C
D
avoid huge United States troop casualties.
prolong the war.
punish the Japanese.
reduce civilian deaths.
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What was your favorite page in this packet? _______
Why was this your favorite page? _______________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
*Continuation from page 5 of this packet: Private Ivor Rowbery, of the South Staffordshire Regiment of England, wrote this letter to
his mother just before the Arnhem Battle and placed it in an envelope on which he wrote, “To the Best Mother in the World”. Ivor
was killed in action on September 17, 1944.This letter was mailed home as his last words to his mother. Ivor’s letter still serves as a
constant reminder of the type of men and women who were fighting during the second world war to ensure our peace and humanity
in the world today.
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