wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

1920s to WWII US

Total questions: 76

Worksheet time: 47mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

This graph shows a population change in some select cities. Which statement best explains the trend in this graph?

a)

The end of segregated medical facilities improved health care and led to increased birth rates.

b)

Wage equality and a lack of discrimination encouraged African Americans to move to these cities.

c)

Sharecropping opportunities in these cities were more lucrative than in southern cities.

d)

Many African Americans moved to northern cities seeking a better life and more job opportunities.

2.

New forms of mass media in the 1920s, such as radio and movies, had what effect on the culture of America?

a)

It increased sectional tension as people became more aware of the regional differences in the country.

b)

It promoted more traditional values by downplaying the spread of modern ideas.

c)

It led to a standardization of the culture as people had access to the same information.

d)

It slowed the growth of cities since people could live in rural areas and have access to the same entertainment.

3.

How did the Grand Ole Opry impact the 1920s music industry?

a)

It showcased artists from diverse racial backgrounds who played music from a variety of genres.

b)

It promoted country music artists through a weekly radio show that was broadcast nationwide.

c)

It used music to transition nationwide listeners away from traditional family values.

d)

It used music as a venue to share southern political issues and increase voter turnout.

4.

This is a list of new innovations that were popular during the 1920s. • automobiles • refrigerators • vacuum cleaners • washing machines How did these new innovations affect America in the 1920s?

a)

They reduced consumer spending and helped Americans save more money.

b)

They allowed Americans to have more time to enjoy leisure activities.

c)

They led to smaller urban populations as it became too expensive to live in cities.

d)

They led to a switch in gender roles as men took the primary responsibility for housework.

5.

What factor made it possible for Henry Ford to produce affordable automobiles?

a)

He had strong support from the major labor unions.

b)

He used an assembly line to make production efficient.

c)

He received government subsidies to cover production costs.

d)

He hired skilled workers to develop the assembly process.

6.

This chart shows the accomplishments of three notable Americans. The accomplishments of these Americans were part of what cultural movement in the 1920s?

a)

Harlem Renaissance

b)

Post-Modernism

c)

Temperance Movement

d)

Transcendentalism

7.

This photograph was taken in the 1920s. The women in this photograph represented what trend in the 1920s?

a)

Fundamental religious viewpoints contributed to fewer opportunities for women.

b)

Women began rejecting more traditional roles and adopting “modern” identities.

c)

New forms of mass media promoted traditional stereotypes of the role of women.

d)

Fewer job opportunities for women created more dependence on men for economic stability.

8.

In the 1920s, which events were evidence of a rise in nativist sentiments in the nation? Select two that apply.

a)

adoption of immigration quotas

b)

popularity of flappers

c)

resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan

d)

rejection of Prohibition

e)

support for women’s suffrage

9.

How does this cartoon reflect the relationship between Hitler and Stalin at the beginning of World War II?

a)

The two men are polite but do not seem to like each other, as reflected in the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact.

b)

The two men are violent towards each other as shown by the repeated assaults on each other early in the war.

c)

The two leaders will destroy anyone in their path, like when Germany invaded Belgium.

d)

The two men will work together to dominate the world.

10.

This cartoon was published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 1930. What is the main idea of this cartoon?

a)

The effects of the Treaty of Versailles led to the rise of the Nazi Party.

b)

Adolf Hitler was one of the primary authors of the Treaty of Versailles.

c)

The objective of the Treaty of Versailles was to cause another war.

d)

Members of the Nazi Party supported the Treaty of Versailles.

11.

This political cartoon was published in 1941. What was an effect of the event symbolized in this cartoon?

a)

The Soviet Union became a member of the Allied Powers.

b)

The United States declared war on the Soviet Union.

c)

Germany conquered and took control of the Soviet Union.

d)

The Soviet Union remained neutral throughout World War II.

12.

This graph shows the distribution of exports sent as part of the Lend-Lease Act. What does this data reveal about the United States’ early involvement in World War II?

a)

The United States refused to provide aid to any communist country.

b)

Despite claims of neutrality, the United States favored the Allied Powers.

c)

Due to the Depression, the United States isolated itself from the conflict in Europe.

d)

The United States treated all countries equally.

13.

In what document did the Allied Powers declare that freedom was an important goal of World War II?

a)

the Fourteen Points

b)

the Atlantic Charter

c)

the Potsdam Declaration

d)

the Iron Curtain Speech

14.

This chart shows several actions that took place after World War II. Which event completes this chart?

a)

Discovery of the Holocaust

b)

Dropping of Atomic Bombs on Japan

c)

Outcome of the Yalta Conference

d)

Division of Germany Among the Allied Powers

15.

The Final Solution program used by Nazi Germany is also referred to by what other name?

a)

Holocaust

b)

Kristallnacht

c)

Nuremberg Laws

d)

Anti-Semitism

16.

This diagram shows some interactions between Japan and the United States. The diagram’s sequence is: Japan invades Manchuria → U.S. refuses to acknowledge the addition of this territory to Japan; Japan escalates war on China, including “Rape of Nanking.” → U.S. embargoes oil, steel, and gasoline → U.S. freezes Japanese financial assets; ??? → U.S. declares war on Japan. Which event completes this diagram?

a)

Japan invades the Dutch East Indies.

b)

Commodore Perry arrives in Japan.

c)

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.

d)

Germany creates an alliance with Japan.

17.

This graphic shows the progression of a United States policy before World War II. The sequence is: Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 (Americans were prohibited from selling war materials to any nations who were participating in a war) → Neutrality Act of 1939 (Americans could sell war materials to nations at war but only if the nations transported the materials on their own ships) → Lend–Lease Act of 1941 (The president was authorized to sell, lend, lease, or give war materials to any nation if he deemed it to be in the best interest of the United States). What conclusion can be drawn from this progression of United States policy?

a)

The United States was more committed to neutrality as it became clear the Allied Powers were winning the war.

b)

As the war continued, the United States became more supportive of the nations that made up the Allied Powers.

c)

Trading with the Axis Powers was more lucrative for the United States than trading with the Allied Powers.

d)

Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was unclear whether the United States favored the Allied or Axis Powers.

18.

The United States entered World War II as a result of a direct attack on Pearl Harbor by which nation?

a)

Germany

b)

Italy

c)

Japan

d)

Russia

19.

This is a map of Europe during World War II with the numbers 1 (Iberian Peninsula), 2 (British Isles), 3 (central Europe/Germany), and 4 (Italian Peninsula). Which number correctly identifies a nation that was a member of the Allied Powers?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

20.

Which American was the commander of Allied forces in North Africa, stopping the Germans from reaching needed supply bases in Algeria?

a)

Dwight D. Eisenhower

b)

Douglas MacArthur

c)

George C. Marshall

d)

George S. Patton, Jr.

21.

Which role describes Winston Churchill during World War II?

a)

communist dictator of Russia

b)

prime minister of Great Britain

c)

president of the United States

d)

emperor of Japan

22.
Question Image

For this item, show matches by dragging the answers into the appropriate boxes. Match totalitarian leaders during the 1930s and 1940s with their nations.

a)

Joseph Stalin

1.

Soviet Union

b)

Hideki Tojo

2.

Japan

c)

Adolf Hitler

3.

Germany

d)

Benito Mussolini

4.

Italy

23.

Why was General Douglas MacArthur a significant leader during World War II?

a)

He used tank warfare to take control of Morocco in the North African Theater.

b)

He negotiated the surrender of Germany to end the war in Europe.

c)

He served as supreme commander of the Allied Forces in the European Theater.

d)

He oversaw the Allied occupation of Japan after the war ended.

24.

This map shows a strategy used in the Pacific Theater of World War II. What strategy is shown on this map?

a)

attrition

b)

blitzkrieg

c)

island hopping

d)

total war

25.

This is a map of Europe before World War II. Which number indicates the country where the D-Day invasion took place?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

26.

This is a map of the world during World War II. In which numbered location did the United States implement the strategy of island-hopping?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

27.

This chart lists characteristics of a World War II battle: became the turning-point battle in the Pacific theater; resulted from breaking the Japanese naval code; stopped the growth of the Japanese empire in the South Pacific. Which battle completes this chart?

a)

Battle of Iwo Jima

b)

Battle of Midway

c)

Battle of Normandy

d)

Battle of Okinawa

28.

How did the success of the Tuskegee Airmen impact the United States after World War II?

a)

It contributed to President Truman’s decision to desegregate the military.

b)

It inspired a program for veterans to receive money to attend college.

c)

It started a nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

d)

It led to the establishment of a permanent program to train pilots for future wars.

29.

This poster was used during World War II. What statement evaluates the intent of this type of propaganda?

a)

Women were encouraged to join the military in non-combat roles.

b)

Women were required to work a set number of hours a week in war-related jobs.

c)

Women were encouraged to support the war effort by taking jobs traditionally done by men.

d)

Women were urged to volunteer their time as part of their patriotic duty.

30.

This is an excerpt from Executive Order 8802 issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941: "All departments and agencies of the Government of the United States concerned with vocational and training programs for defense production shall take special measures appropriate to assure that such programs are administered without discrimination because of race, creed, color, or national origin." How did this Executive Order impact civil rights?

a)

It ended discrimination in the workplace and instituted the practice of "equal pay for equal work."

b)

It discouraged segregation of public facilities, especially those related to housing and education.

c)

It brought attention to the need for civil rights reform and spurred future actions to promote equality.

d)

It ended segregation of the military and allowed for full participation by African Americans.

31.

This statement could have been made by a historian: "During wartime, the rights of minorities are more limited than those of white citizens." What action from World War II would support this statement?

a)

Large numbers of women went to work in factories producing war goods.

b)

Japanese Americans on the West Coast were forced into internment camps.

c)

Citizens were encouraged to ration food and recycle materials that could be used overseas.

d)

Significant portions of the African American population moved to northern cities.

32.

This is a poster published by the United States government during World War II that reads in Spanish and English, "Americanos Todos Luchamos Por La Victoria — Americans All Let’s Fight for Victory," with raised arms holding hats. Which World War II government program was aimed at a similar audience?

a)

the Bracero Program

b)

the Women’s Army Corps

c)

the Double V Campaign

d)

the War Production Board

33.

This document was used by many Americans during World War II: an Office of Price Administration Gasoline Ration Card labeled "A." What was the purpose of documents like this one?

a)

to lower gas prices for the average consumer

b)

to conserve resources for the troops fighting overseas

c)

to prevent pollution by limiting the number of cars on the road

d)

to reward citizens who purchased war bonds with free gas

34.

This is an excerpt from a speech given by President Truman on August 6, 1945:

To what event is President Truman referring?

a)

the Battle of Iwo Jima

b)

D-Day

c)

the bombing of Hiroshima

d)

the battle of Midway

35.

This photo was taken in 1945 and shows a city leveled by a massive explosion with widespread ruins and few standing structures. Which nation suffered the devastation in this image from World War II?

a)

Germany

b)

Japan

c)

the Soviet Union

d)

the United States

36.

Which world leaders most consistently attended conferences together during World War II?

a)

Roosevelt and Churchill

b)

Roosevelt and Stalin

c)

Truman and Churchill

d)

Stalin and Churchill

37.
Who ruled as a dictator and leader of the Nazi party and wanted to build a powerful military and make his country a strong nation?
a)
Hitler
b)
Mussolini
c)
Stalin
38.
Which 3 countries made up the Axis Powers?
a)
American, England, and Russia
b)
Sweden, Germany, and Denmark
c)
Italy, Russia, and Austria
d)
Italy, Germany, and Japan
39.

Who was the prime minister of England?

a)

Franklin Roosevelt

b)

Winston Churchill

c)

Adolf Hitler

d)

Harry Truman

40.
Why did Japan decide to attack the United States?
a)
They wanted to claim Hawaii.
b)
They didn't like FDR.
c)
The USA helped China defend itself.
d)
Japan knew only the US Navy was strong enough to stop them.
41.
When was Pearl Harbor attacked?
a)
December 7, 1941
b)
September 1, 1939
c)
October 31, 1941
d)
December 25, 1941
42.

Who ruled as a dictator in Italy?

a)

Adolf Hitler

b)

Joseph Stalin

c)

Benito Mussolini

43.
Who was president of the United States when WW2 ended?
a)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
b)
Harry Truman
c)
John F. Kennedy
d)
Jefferson DAvis
44.

The Allies consisted of......

a)

Japan, Germany, and America

b)

America, France, and China

c)

America, Russia and Great Britain

d)

Germany, China, Japan, and Hawaii

45.
World War 2 helped America come out of _________________ by providing jobs for people. 
a)
The Cold War
b)
The Dust Bowl
c)
The Great Depression
46.
What event started World War 2
a)
The invasion of Poland
b)
The Battle of El-Alamein
c)
The bombing of Pearl Harbor
d)
The use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima
47.
What event did Franklin Roosevelt call "a date which will live in infamy?"
a)
The bombing of Nagasaki
b)
The attack on Pearl Harbor
c)
The annexation of Austria by Hitler
d)
The Battle of Stalingrad
48.
What two countries declared war on Germany after the invasion of Poland?
a)
Britain and the Soviet Union
b)
Britain and the United States
c)
Britain and France
d)
Italy and the Soviet Union
49.

When Germany annexed Austria and remilitarized the Rhineland, it was a violation of

a)

The Munich Agreement

b)

The Treaty of Versailles

c)

The Kellogg-Briand Pact

d)

The Nuremberg Laws

50.

Can you identify which country was most negatively affected by the Treaty of Versailles

a)

United States

b)

Germany

c)

England

d)

Italy

51.

What is appeasement?

a)

A hard type of concrete

b)

a policy of giving Hitler what he wanted in order to avoid a conflict

c)

A period of peace after a war

d)

Major fighting in Japan

52.

MASS EVACUATION OF BRITISH TROOPS ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL IN FRANCE

a)

DUNKIRK

b)

BLITZKRIEG

c)

OPERATION OVERLORD

d)

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

53.

GERMAN TERM FOR "LIGHTNING WAR"

a)

DUNKIRK

b)

BLITZKRIEG

c)

OPERATION OVERLORD

d)

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

54.

The largest water-to-land invasion in history took place when the Allies stormed the beaches at Normandy, France. This was

a)

VE Day

b)

VJ Day

c)

Iwo Jima

d)

D-Day

55.

________________________ was Hitler's mass murder of over 12 million people.

a)

D-Day

b)

The Holocaust

c)

Pearl Harbor

d)

The atomic bomb

56.

______________ was a nuclear weapon dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S. to end the war.

a)

The Scud missile

b)

Mustard Gas

c)

The atomic bomb

d)

The Big One

57.

One cause of WW1 that involved the nations of Europe being jealous of each other's territories in Africa and Asia.

a)

Imperialism

b)

Nationalism

c)

Alliances

d)

Militarism

58.

All of the following are results of WW1 EXCEPT

a)

winners and losers being satisfied and getting along with one another

b)

newly created countries

c)

loss of life

d)

damage

59.

How did the Treaty of Versailles punish Germany?

a)

divided Germany into four colonies

b)

took away German territory in Spain and Britain

c)

forced Germany to accept blame for the war and to pay reparations

d)

Germany was not punished

60.

The purpose of The League of Nations was to

a)

centralize world power

b)

increase the power of the Allies

c)

be a peacekeeping organization

d)

punish Germany

61.

All of the following were members of the Allied Powers EXCEPT

a)

Austria-Hungary

b)

Russia

c)

USA

d)

France

62.

All European countries joined either the Allied Powers or the Central Powers during the war.

a)

True

b)

False

63.

This term included nationalistic Serbians who planned on and succeeded in killing Franz Ferdinand

a)

Black Hand

b)

Doughboy

c)

Lusitania

64.

The Central Powers won the war largely due to America's help.

a)

True

b)

False

65.

Which country was heavily punished and forced to take the blame for the war?

a)

USA

b)

Italy

c)

Germany

d)

Spain

66.

Which country dropped out of the war early due to a revolution back at home?

a)

USA

b)

France

c)

Italy

d)

Russia

67.

An agreement between nations to unite for a common cause or to help each other out is

a)

Militarism

b)

Alliances

c)

Imperialism

d)

Nationalism

68.

Most propaganda advertisements showed how dangerous the war was

a)

True

b)

False

69.

No Man's Land was the name for

a)

area between 2 enemies' trenches

b)

burial ground

c)

bathroom area

d)

none of the above

70.

The Central Powers (Triple Alliance) did not include

a)

Austria-Hungary

b)

France

c)

Germany

d)

Ottoman Empire

71.

Why was nationalism a cause of the war?

a)

major European nations wanted to be the most powerful

b)

major European nations wanted to live in peace with other countries

c)

major European nations wanted all the countries to have equal power

72.

Why did nations get involved in imperialism?

a)

to improve their governments and politics

b)

to get rid of absolute monarchs

c)

to get natural resources cheaply for their factories

73.

How did the Treaty of Versailles affect the German army?

a)

the German army increased its spending

b)

the German army was forced to decrease its amount of soldiers

c)

the German army was granted more military power

74.

Only the Central Powers (Triple Alliance) used trenches

a)

True

b)

False

75.

What was the purpose of propaganda during the war?

a)

to intimidate the enemy

b)

to start the war

c)

to end the war

d)

to create emotion and influence people to help out in some way

76.

The United States was in the war since 1914

a)

True

b)

False