WWII Review Questions

Which of the following best describes Adolf Hitler during WWII?

• Dictator of Germany who started the war when he began invading other territory, starting with Poland
• Leader of fascist Italy who needed Germany’s help early on and was executed by his own people
• Emperor of Japan during WWII who was worshiped as a god but left real decisions to Hideki Tojo
• Leader of the Soviet Union who was willing to sacrifice as many men as necessary to stop Germany

What does the term lebensraum mean in the context of Hitler’s actions during WWII?

• “Living space” — Hitler justified his conquest by claiming he needed more living space for the German people, whom he believed were the “master race”
• The Allied policy of giving Hitler what he wanted so he would stop invading other countries, confirmed by the signing of a sort of contract.

• Germany’s military strategy of using fast-moving tanks backed by aircraft to overwhelm the enemy, then exploit openings in the line while they try to regroup, leading to a swift victory.

• The German annexation of Austria - his home country -without a fight, because Hitler feared a public vote. This term means "unity," in German - a language spoked in both Germany and Austria.

Which statement best describes the policy of appeasement?

• Allied leaders, led by Britain’s Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, tried to give Hitler what he wanted so he would stop invading other territory (this strategy failed)
• Hitler’s claim that Germany needed more “living space” for the "master race" - a major goal he outlined in his "autobiography" - Mein Kampf.

• The use of fast-moving tanks and aircraft to quickly conquer Poland and France - by overwhelming the enemy, then exploiting openings in the front line to achieve victory before they can regroup.

• The major turning point in the Pacific where American planes destroyed most of Japan’s aircraft carriers, eliminating their ability to fight an offensive war for the remainder of WWII.

What is blitzkrieg?

• A military strategy used by Hitler when he invaded Poland and France—using fast-moving tanks backed by aircraft to overwhelm the enemy
• The Allied leaders’ attempt to satisfy Hitler’s demands to avoid further conflict - a strategy that backfired, and only further emboldened Hitler.

• Germany’s attempt to cut off Allied supply ships using U-boats in the Atlantic, which would operate in groups called "wolf packs" that would swarm convoys coming from the United States.

• The British evacuation of troops from Dunkirk using military and civilian boats, rescuing the core of the British and French armies, so they could live to fight another day.

Which of the following correctly identifies the Axis powers?

• The “bad guys” in WWII, including Germany, Italy, and Japan
• The “good guys” in WWII, which included Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the USA
• The group led by Winston Churchill that successfully defended Britain from air attack
• The nations that developed the atomic bomb in the top-secret Manhattan Project

Which statement best describes the Allies during WWII?

• The “good guys” in WWII, which included Britain and France, and later the Soviet Union (USSR) and the USA, among others
• The “bad guys” in WWII, including Germany, Italy, and Japan
• The countries that followed a policy of giving Hitler whatever he wanted to prevent war
• The side that used U-boats to try to cut off Allied supply ships in the Atlantic

What happened during the Battle of France?

• Germany invaded France after conquering Poland; the French and British were unprepared for blitzkrieg, France quickly surrendered, and British forces barely escaped from Dunkirk
• Germany’s air force tried to destroy Britain’s defenses so they could invade, but the Royal Air Force successfully defended the island
• This was the major turning point in the fight against the USSR where Stalin refused to let Germany take the city. The Soviets win, but at a massive cost. The deadliest battle in the European theater.

• This Pacific battle was a turning point where American and Japanese naval forces clashed in the south Pacific, ending in an American victory. As a result, Japan was stopped from invading Australia.

Which of the following best describes the Battle of Britain?

• Germany’s air force tried to destroy Britain’s defenses so they could invade, but the Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully defended the island through months of air battles
• The British evacuation of troops from the French coast using a makeshift fleet of civilian and military boats
• A surprise attack by Japan that brought the United States into World War II
• The largest sea-to-land invasion in history, which allowed the Allies to start taking back France

Who was Winston Churchill?

• Leader of Britain during WWII who came to power after Hitler broke his promise not to keep attacking and inspired the British people
• Dictator of Germany who started the war by invading Poland
• Leader of the Soviet Union who sacrificed huge numbers of troops to defeat Germany
• Vice President of the USA who took over after Roosevelt died and decided to use the atomic bomb

Which statement best describes Joseph Stalin’s role in WWII?

• Leader of the Soviet Union during WWII who was willing to sacrifice as many men as necessary to stop Germany from conquering the USSR
• Leader of Britain who inspired the nation after taking power when appeasement failed under the previous Prime Minister.

• Emperor of Japan who finally agreed to surrender after atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

• Fascist leader of Italy who needed Germany’s help and was later executed by his own people, after he was caught attempting to escape with his mistress.