Download WW2 Unit Study Guide

WW2 Unit Study Guide
Prior to War
 The passage of the Neutrality Acts in 1930 illustrates the US policy of
Isolationism before entry into WW2.
I. The US did this in an effort to avoid mistakes that led to first world
war
II. Provide war material to other Democratic nations
 The rise of Totalitarian governments in Germany, Japan, and Italy were the
result of
I. Severe economic problems in Europe after WW1.
II. Worldwide economic depression
III. Limitations of the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany
 Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in
Germany…disgracing Hitler’s “superior” Aryan Race
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Entry - Into – War
The US became involved in WW2 primarily because of the aggressive military
actions by Germany and Japan in Europe and Asia
Attack on Pearl Harbor let US to enter WW2
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 is an illustration of the
impact a single event can have on the public opinion in a time of crisis
Policy of Appeasement violated when England and France declare war after
Hitler takes over Great Britain
Shortly after entering the war the US began the Manhattan Project to work
on the development of an Atomic bomb
War
 D-Day was the Allied invasion at Normandy Beach, France
 D-Day is important because US and British troops began the march to attack
Nazi occupied Europe. Taking the beach made this possible.
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Women - Industry
 Women and minorities made economic gains in WW2 because labor
shortages from men being drafted into the military created new
opportunities in the workplace for them.
 The economic growth brought by WW2 helped with ending the Great
Depression
 Women worked in non-traditional occupations
 Women performed duties historically assigned to men
 Mass production of military equipment created thousands of jobs
 Economic opportunities for women and minorities increased
 Rosie The Riveter – is an image associated with the changing role of women
during WW2
WW2 Propaganda
 Conserve natural resources for the war effort
 Gain financial support for the war “Buy Victory Bonds!”
 Americans need to be on the lookout for spies “Keep your trap shut!” &
“Loose lips sink ships!”
Axis Powers
 In the 1930s the countries associated with the “Rise of the Dictators” that
were regarded as threats to the safety and security of the world’s
Democracies were Germany, Japan, and Italy
Japanese Americans – Racial Discrimination
 Executive Order 9102 signed on March 18,1942 allowed authorities to move
Japanese Americans into Internment Camps
 Racial prejudice was a major cause of the Internment of Japanese Americans
in the U.S. during WW2.
 Japanese Americans were relocated to Internment Camps because they were
seen as a threat to National Security
 The experiences of minorities serving in the US Military during WW2
influenced their post war decision to increase efforts to end racial
discrimination and injustice
 The Tuskegee Airmen were African American pilots during WW2
Cash & Carry – Lend-Lease Act – Destroyer Deal
 Were approved by Congress prior to US entry into WW2
 US wanted to avoid participation in the war
 Was evidence that the U.S. recognized that it’s Neutrality policy conflicted
with its need to assist England
 Arsenal of Democracy – economic declaration of war against Axis Powers
 US became an “Arsenal of Democracy”
 US was called the “Arsenal of Democracy” because they provided the Allies
the weaponry needed to fight the Axis Powers
 The actions of the passing of these acts showed that the US became
increasingly drawn into the war in Europe
Jews – Holocaust – Aryan Race
 Kristallnacht demonstrates Nazi persecution of Jews by Nazi troops attacking
Jewish homes, businesses, and churches
 Hitler’s “Final Solution” was genocide of people the Nazis considered inferior
and to provide lebensraum for the Aryan Race.
 Anne Frank – 14 year old Jewish girl that hid in an attic 1943-1945 but was
captured and executed in 1945
Outcomes of War
 USA defeated the Japanese on the island of Iwo Jima in 145 (know this
picture!)
 Japan surrenders after US drops an Atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
 The Nuremberg Trials established a precedent that national leaders CAN be
held responsible for “Crimes Against Humanity”
 Communism eliminated
 Congress passed the Montgomery GI Bill in order to provide economic aid to
American Veterans
 Atlantic Charter – upheld rights of free trade and choice of government, and
it was very similar to Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points speech