Study 06 The Second World War and Its Aftermath with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
How did postwar instability and the Great Depression help create conditions for war?
The Treaty of Versailles and later economic and political crises weakened Germany’s stability; the Great Depression further undermined confidence in democratic governments.
What event began the war in Europe in 1939?
Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Britain and France declared war two days later.
What brought the United States into the Second World War?
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and other Allied positions in the Pacific in December 1941, prompting the United States to enter the war.
Why was the Battle of Britain a turning point for Britain?
The Battle of Britain prevented a German invasion, so Britain remained at war.
What changed on the Eastern Front after the Battle of Stalingrad?
Germany’s defeat at Stalingrad in 1942–1943 marked a major shift, after which Soviet forces began pushing west.
What did British forces achieve at El Alamein?
At El Alamein in 1942, British forces halted Axis advances in North Africa.
Why was the Battle of Midway significant?
The Allied victory at Midway in June 1942 halted Japanese expansion and became a major naval turning point.
What was the military significance of the Normandy landings?
The Allied landing in Normandy in June 1944 opened a major western front against Germany.
What was the Holocaust, and how many Jews were killed?
The Holocaust was Nazi Germany’s systematic genocide of European Jews; six million Jews were killed.
When and where did the United States use atomic bombs in 1945?
The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
When did Japan formally surrender?
Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending the Second World War.
How did the war accelerate decolonization?
The war weakened European empires, and nationalist movements pressed against the return of colonial rule. Decolonization created dozens of independent states in Asia and Africa.