World War 2

In the Treaty of Versailles, Germany lost territory, was forced to pay huge reparations (payments by a defeated country for the destruction it caused in a war), was forced to take responsibility for the war through the War Guilt Clause, and forced to greatly reduce the size of their military. After World War I, Germany suffered from economic problems like inflation and unemployment and Germany was often unable to meet reparation payments. These problems left many Germans angry about the Treaty of Versailles, which they saw as unfair. Germans were bitter and wanted their territories back, as well as the freedom to operate as they wished.

What consequences did Germany face following World War I? (Select all that apply.)

• Germany had to reduce the size of its military.

• Great Britain gained control of Germany's economy and government.

• Germany had to make payments to other countries to cover the costs of the war.

• Germany was forced to take responsibility for World War 1.

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DOK 2

Treaty of Versailles

What is the alternative to this bleak and barren policy of the inevitability of war? In my view, it is that we should seek by all means in our power to avoid war, by analyzing possible causes, by trying to remove them, by discussion in a spirit of collaboration and goodwill. I cannot believe that such a program would be rejected by the people of this country, even if it does mean the establishment of personal contact with dictators. . . .

How does Neville Chamberlin defend his decision to appease Hitler?

• Chamberlin argues that war is so bad that we should do everything possible to avoid it, including making deals with dictators like Hitler.

• Chamberlin argues that Hitler was too strong and he needed to make a deal in order to protect Great Britain from his overwhelming military strength.

• Chamberlin argues that the United States would come to the rescue and save all of Europe. So they did not need to fight and should give in to Hitler's demands.

• Chamberlin argues that Germany was not actually that bad of a country and they just needed the opportunity to show that they had changed.

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DOK 2

Appeasement

My division, like most of the ones transferred from Europe, was going to take part in the invasion at Honshu (an island of Japan). The people who preferred invasion to A-bombing seemed to have no intention of proceeding to the Japanese front themselves. I have already noted what a few more days would mean to the luckless troops and sailors on the spot... On Okinawa, only a few weeks before Hiroshima, 123,000 Japanese and Americans killed each other. War is immoral. War is cruel.

What is the author's argument for using the atomic bomb?

• The author is arguing that invading Japan will cost lots of American lives. The atomic bomb will save American lives.

• The author is arguing that Japan is too strong to invade. The only realistic option for victory is to use the atomic bomb.

• The author is arguing that Japan is too weak to invade. Dropping the bomb is a mercy for Japan.

• The author is arguing that they should not drop the atomic bomb. It is too destructive and will kill many people.

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DOK 2

Atomic Bomb

What does the chart about tanks produced during World War 2 tell us about how the Allies won the war?

• The USA and the USSR (Soviet Union) produced significantly more tanks than Germany and Japan and were able to replace their destroyed tanks faster than Germany or Japan.

• Germany and Japan produced more tanks than the USA and the USSR (Soviet Union) which is why they won the war.

• The United States brought significantly more soldiers to the war than every other country. This provided the advantage the Allies needed to win the war.

• Germany prefered to use only their navy during War World 2. So they produced almost no tanks at all throughout the entire war, which is why they lost.

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DOK 2

Production

Select the option that correctly explains the chart.

• The United States joined World War 2 in December 1941. Many of the automotive factory workers were male and joined the military to fight in the war. Over the next several years thousands of women stepped up and took their places in the factories.

• Men stopped working in the factories after finding easier and higher-paying jobs. This gave an opportunity for thousands of women to take their places in the factories.

• Factory owners discovered that women were superior workers and fired all of the men. Over the next several years thousands of women would replace the men in these factory jobs.

• This chart shows that female employment in the automotive industry actually fell between 1942 and October 1943. This was due to most women preferring to stay at home and raise families instead of working outside the home.

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DOK 2

Homefront

What is the poster from World War 2 an example of?

• Propaganda

• Appeasement

• Holocaust

• Dictatorship

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DOK 1

Propaganda