World War II Study Guide PDF

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Entire chapter over world war 2 - detailed explanations ...

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World War 2 Study Guide: Chapter 24.1/24.4 and Chapter 25 Chapter 24.1: Dictators Threaten World Peace Joseph Stalin (“man of steel”) transforms the Soviet Union ● totalitarian government: individuals have no rights, and the government suppresses all opposition Benito Mussolini was establishing a totalitarian regime in Italy ● established a Fascism: stressed nationalism and placed interests of the state above those of individuals ● called himself “II Duce” or “the leader” Adolf Hitler formed National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi Party) ● called “Der Fuhrer” or “the leader” ● established Nazism: extreme nationalism Stalin-attacks Poland Mussolini-attacks Ethiopia Tojo-attacks Manchuria Francisco Franco starts Spanish Civil War Rome-Berlin Axis was an alliance between German/Italian dictators Congress passes Neutrality Acts in order to keep the United States out of further wars ● first two acts outlawed arms sales/loans to nations at war ● the third act outlawed arms sales/loans to nations with civil wars ● Roosevelt broke the acts by sending arms to China when Japan invaded ○ Stand against aggression Chapter 24.4: America Moves Toward War Major Elements of the Treaty of Versailles: Blame, Reparations, Limited Arms, Territorial Losses Hitler’s Conquests ● Annexes Austria, takes Sudetenland ● US does nothing, while Britain/France have the Munich Conference ● Hitler then invades Czechoslovakia ● US does nothing, Britain/France declare war ● Hitler attacks Poland Roosevelt persuaded Congress to pass “cash and carry” provision allowing warring nations to buy US arms → paid cash/brought own ships Tripartite Pact→ Axis Powers: Japan, Germany, and Italy wanted to keep US out of the war US prepares for war ● Selective Training and Service Act ● Roosevelt ran for a third term and his opponent, Wilkie, supported him → America voted for the president they already knew

● The “Great Arsenal of Democracy” or the US would have to wage war ● Lend-Lease Act passed to lend or lease arms to “any country whose defense was vital to the US” ● US supports Russia when Hitler attacks ● German wolfpacks: surrounded other ships in formation FDR plans for war Churchill and Roosevelt → Atlantic Charter (joint declaration of war arms) ● basis for United Nations and created the Allies Japan attacks the US Hideki Tojo: chief of staff of Japan’s Kwantung army Many causes of Pearl Harbor, but most important → US ties up Japan with Oil Embargo Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941 ● FDR: “a day which will lie in infamy”

Money and Foreign Policy The United States has a history of using money to support its foreign policy (stance on world events and wars). A. How did the US use money to support WWII before it engaged in actual battle? ○ US has a policy of isolationism but still feel need to support Allied powers ■ question of getting involved without physically going to war ○ change/modify neutrality acts to include some forms of aid ■ lend lease act ● principle means for providing US military aid to foreign countries during WWII ● authorize president to give aid to those whose defense he believes will help defend US ■ cash and carry policy ● part of neutrality act of 1937 (“preserve neutrality” while aiding the Allies) ● allowed for sale of materials and supplies to Allied powers as long as those countries provided for own transport of materials AND paid directly in cash B. Where and how does the US use money to support war today? ○ after 9/11, US knows that terrorist group tied to Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan ■ way to win support of government is to buy influence amongst strategic leaders ○ US has been dropping off bags of money (“ghost money”) as form of payment (bribery?) ■ US helped create government, but money is falling into the wrong hands ○ Iran follows our footsteps with money = US cries foul and creates strategic partnership ■ unfortunately, Al Qaeda = benefactor of US involvement ○ “it’s just cash” vs. “we’re creating trouble” GI Bill and Wealth A. What was the GI Bill? ○ (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act) provides educational and financial assistance to war veterans ○ low-cost mortgages, low-interest loans to start businesses, cash payments of tuitions and living expenses B. Explain how its implementation in the housing industry created an institutionally based wealth gap between white and African Americans. ○ wealth in US is a reflection of the family that you’re born into

■ parents own a home = their children gain wealth through equity which is passed on from generation to generation ○ yet there still exists an alarmingly wide wealth gap between whites and AA ■ whites were able to take advantage of the GI Bill benefits to buy homes in fast growing suburb areas ● these homes appreciated in value over time, increasing that family’s wealth ■ banks had system of redlining (value of neighborhood) ● wouldn’t make out loans to those in “bad” neighborhoods ● blacks excluded from suburb (racism plays a part) Urban Combat and Fallujah A. Using 2 examples of battles from WWII, explain how one illustrates urban combat and another does not. ○ urban combat = hand to hand combat ○ Battle of the Atlantic ■ German aim → prevent food/war materials from reaching GB ● cut GB shipping lines, American ships become targets ■ Allies able to contain Axis movement west (implement convoy system, outproduce Germany in naval force) ■ combat through use of ships ○ Battle of Stalingrad ■ German aim → access to oil-rich mountains ■ battle involves engaging in house to house combat (a lot of civilian casualties) ● civilians fighting to their deaths ● matter of overtaking yards vs. miles B. Explain the context/events that led up to urban combat in 2nd battle of Fallujah in 2005. ○ Iraq War 2003 ■ Bush leads fight to find Saddam Hussein ■ US vs. Iraqi insurgents (power vacuum leads to sectarian violence) ○ Fallujah = key outpost for insurgents (who are anti-American) ■ companies try to make money out of this area ● therefore must hire private security companies to protect business people (ex. Blackwater) ○ security guards killed → humiliation for US, who wants to retaliate ■ urban combat (brutal, confusing, horrifying → decision to take seemingly innocent lives) ● effects: PTSD!...