Download Chapter 17 Section 2 – World War II Europe at War 1. What is a

Chapter 17 Section 2 – World War II
Europe at War
1. What is a blitzkrieg and who used if? Explain how it works. (make sure you know what a
panzer is)
Hitler’s Early Victories
1. What countries did Hitler take over starting in April 1940?
2. What was the Maginot Line? How did the Germans attack the French while avoiding the
Maginot Line?
3. What happened to the Allies (French and British) due to Germany attacking through
Belgium?
4. Describe the Miracle at Dunkirk.
5. What happened the French on June 22, 1940?
6. What was the name of the German controlled area of France?
7. How did the British people respond to the Miracle at Dunkirk?
8. When did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of England?
9. Define isolationism. Why did the U.S. believe in this policy and neutrality was the best course
of action?
10. What did the U.S. eventually start to send to Great Britain? Why did they start to relax the
neutrality acts to do this?
The Battle of Britain
1. What is the Luftwaffe?
2. What was Hitler’s plan to soften up Britain for an invasion? Be specific on what Hitler
wanted to attack.
3. Hitler and the Germans shifted their strategy for attacking Britain to bombing the cities?
What did Hitler hope for by doing this?
4. What was the surprising outcome of this strategy?
5. How did Hitler respond to the British when his plans did not work?
Attack on the Soviet Union
1. Give two reasons why Hitler thought it was important to eliminate the Soviet Union.
2. Why did Hitler want to attack and defeat the Soviet Union before winter? (not in book)
3. Why was it dangerous for Hitler to have the German army stretched out so far over the
Soviet Union?
4. What led to the Germans’ downfall in Russia?
Japan at War
1. When was the attack on Pearl Harbor?
2. What were the damage totals?
3. What was the formal name of Japan’s “community” of Nations?
4. Who was the leader of Japan?
5. What did Tojo think would happen after the Japanese attacked the American navy and
bases?
6. How did the U.S. respond?
7. Why do you think that Hitler thought that the U.S. would be ineffective in Europe if all of
their resources were in the Pacific?
The Allies Advance
1. Who were the three new Allies?
2. What was their goal?
3. What does unconditional surrender mean?
The European Theater
1. Who were the main three foes in Europe before 1942? (excluding France)
The Tide Turns
1. Where was the first victory for the Allies (America/Great Britain) vs. Germany?
2. Why do you feel like Hitler decided to attack Stalingrad, which was an industrial power?
3. Why was that a costly decision for Hitler?
4. How good was the German Sixth Army?
The Asian Theater
1. Why was the Battle of the Coral Sea important?
2. Why was the Battle of Midway Island so significant?
3. Explain the policy of island hopping.