WW2 & Aftermath

Question 1

What was the historical context of Japan in the 1920s & 1930s?

Answer 1

• Japan was frustrated by their “second-rate” empire
• Felt threatened by the economic power of European empires & US
• Worried about communism spreading from USSR which led to the right-wing government led by military generals
• Wanted natural resources in Asia

Question 2

What began WW2 in Asia?

Answer 2

Japan invade China in 1937

Question 3

What were the effects of Japan’s invasion of China in 1937?

Answer 3

• Beginning of WW2 (in Asia)
• Condemnation by international community only reinforces Japan’s view that they were excluded by the rest of the world

Question 4

What happened after Japan seized western colonies in Asia in 1941

Answer 4

Japan preemptively attacked Pearl Harbor in an attempt to deter US response

Question 5

What was the historical context of Germany in the 1920s & 1930s?

Answer 5

• Hitler & the Nazis wanted German retribution from humiliation in WW1
• Blamed their loss on Jews, Romas, (Gypsies), socialists, foreigners
• Actively persecuted undesirable groups in an effort to promote national unity

Question 6

What factors began WW2 in Europe?

Answer 6

• “Lebensraum” (living space) in Eastern Europe was desirable to Germans
• Germany annexes territory in Austria & Czechoslovakia (1938 & 1939)
• 1939 - Invasion of Poland began WW2 in Europe

Question 7

What was fighting like in WW2?

Answer 7

• Used Blitzkrieg tactics
• Lots of movement - unlike in Trench warfare in WW1
• Axis powers are gradually pushed back by the Allied powers between 1942-1945
• Colonies and women were involved more than in WW1
• Over 60 million dead, more than 50% civilians

Question 8

What were blitzkrieg tactics?

Answer 8

Lots of movement unlike trench warfare in WW1

Question 9

What were the Axis Powers in WW2?

Answer 9

Germany, Italy, Japan

Question 10

What were the Allied powers in WW2?

Answer 10

Britain, USSR, United States

Question 11

What was the only major participant of WW2 not to be bombed?

Answer 11

The US

Question 12

What are some example of WW2 atrocities?

Answer 12

• The Holocaust in Europe (6m Jews & 1m - 2m more “undesirables”)
• US atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki (130k - 230k victims)
• Rape of Nanjing (Japanese killing Chinese ( 200k dead)
• Firebombing of Tokyo ( Americans killing Japanese)

Question 13

What was the Aftermath of WW2?

Answer 13

• Creation of the state of Israel in Middle-East as a Jewish nation-state
• Europe is quickly built using US $$
• A “Cold War” begins between US & USSR
• Anti-colonial movement gain strength
• Global institutions are created to prevent a future World War
• European coal & steel community to promote trade in Europe (present-day EU)
• New “rules of war”

Question 14

What were the effects Marshall Plan?

Answer 14

Europe is quickly rebuilt using US $$ & democracies expand

Question 15

What are some examples of global institutions created after WW2?

Answer 15

• United Nations
• World Bank
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Question 16

What was the purpose of the creation of the UN?

Answer 16

For peacekeeping & diplomacy

Question 17

What was the purpose of the creation of the World Bank & International Monetary Fund?

Answer 17

For economic development

Question 18

What were the “New Rules of War”

Answer 18

Who is combatant vs who is a civilian

Question 19

What were some new vocabulary & concepts created after WW2?

Answer 19

• “War crimes”
• “Crimes against humanity”
• “Human rights”
• “Genocide”