Study the deadliest conflict in human history with this in-depth flashcard
deck on World War 2. From the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany to
the Allied victory in Europe and the Pacific, this deck covers every major
date, event, battle, and turning...
Study the deadliest conflict in human history with this in-depth flashcard
deck on World War 2. From the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany to
the Allied victory in Europe and the Pacific, this deck covers every major
date, event, battle, and turning point you need to know.
Topics include the causes of WW2, the Blitzkrieg invasion of Poland, the
Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor, Operation Barbarossa, the Holocaust,
D-Day and the Normandy landings, the Battle of Stalingrad, the atomic
bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Nuremberg Trials, and the founding
of the United Nations. Perfect for AP World History, GCSE, and university
history exams.
Ready to test yourself?
Flip through all 30 cards in interactive study mode.
It began on September 1, 1939 (Germany invades Poland) and ended on September 2, 1945 (Japan's formal surrender).
The rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazism, the failures of the Treaty of Versailles, global economic depression, appeasement policy, and extreme nationalism.
Primarily the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, and China.
Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Adolf Hitler was Führer (leader) of Germany and head of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party).
Germany's blitzkrieg (lightning war) attack on Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later, officially starting WW2.
German for "lightning war" — a fast, coordinated military tactic using tanks, aircraft, and motorized infantry to overwhelm enemies before they could respond.
An air campaign where Germany's Luftwaffe tried to destroy Britain's Royal Air Force. Britain's successful defense prevented a German invasion.
Germany's massive invasion of the Soviet Union — the largest military operation in history. It ultimately failed, leading to catastrophic German losses.
A surprise Japanese air attack on the US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans. It caused the United States to enter WW2.
The systematic, state-sponsored genocide by Nazi Germany of six million Jewish people, along with millions of others including Roma, disabled people, and political prisoners.
Facilities built by Nazi Germany where millions of Jewish people and others were imprisoned, used for forced labor, and murdered — including Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Dachau.
A turning point on the Eastern Front. Soviet forces surrounded and defeated a German army, ending Germany's advance into the Soviet Union.
A decisive naval battle in the Pacific where the US destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers, turning the tide against Japan.
The Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France at Normandy beaches. The largest seaborne invasion in history, involving 156,000 Allied troops in one day.
Victory in Europe Day — May 8, 1945 — marking Germany's unconditional surrender and the end of WW2 in Europe.
The USA dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9), 1945. An estimated 110,000–210,000 people died, leading to Japan's surrender.
Victory over Japan Day — August 15, 1945 — when Japan announced its surrender, ending WW2. The formal signing was September 2, 1945.
An estimated 70–85 million people died — approximately 3% of the world's 1940 population — making it the deadliest conflict in human history.
Post-war military tribunals (1945–1946) held to prosecute Nazi Germany's leaders for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
The top-secret US research program that developed the first nuclear weapons. Led by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, it produced the atomic bombs dropped on Japan.
The codename for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe, beginning with D-Day on June 6, 1944.
Germany's last major offensive on the Western Front. Despite initial success, Germany failed and suffered massive losses, accelerating the end of the war.
A US policy allowing America to supply Britain, the Soviet Union, and other Allied nations with food, oil, and military equipment before the US officially entered the war.
The United Nations (UN), established in 1945 to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars — replacing the failed League of Nations.
The area of WW2 combat in the Pacific Ocean and Asia, primarily between the United States and Japan, including battles at Midway, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines.
The largest Jewish resistance against the Nazis during the Holocaust. Jewish fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto held off German forces for nearly a month before being overwhelmed.
Prime Minister of Britain (1940–1945) during most of WW2, known for his powerful speeches and determination that helped Britain survive the German onslaught.
Allied victory in North Africa that stopped the German advance toward Egypt and the Suez Canal, marking a major turning point in the North African Campaign.
Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin agreed on the post-war reorganization of Europe, including free elections in liberated countries and the division of Germany.
