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Blitzkrieg
- “lightning war”, sudden German attack that hit Poland and introduced a new style of warfare
- emphasized the use of speed and firepower to penetrate deep into the enemy’s territory
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Maginot Lines
- Built before WWII, French defenses along the German border
- Gave the French a false sense of security, ill prepared to deal with changes in weapons and tactics after WWI
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Atlantic Charter
- Document that endorsed national self-determination and an international system of “general security”
- The signing of this signaled the depending alliance between Britain and the US
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Appeasement
- Policy of granting concessions to a potential enemy in order to maintain peace
- Instead, spurred the fascist leaders to become more bold, adventurous, and aggressive
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Munich Conference
- British and French appeasement to Germany, permitting Nazi Germany’s annexation of the Sudetenland in hopes to preserve the peace
- It allows Hitler to invade the Sudetenland, shows that appeasement failed
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Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
- Agreement between Hitler and Stalin for Germany and Russia to secretly divide up Poland and not attack each other
- Once Hitler invades Poland, the British and the French declare war on Germany, WWII begins
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Attack on Pearl Harbor
- Japanese mission to remove the US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with a surprise attack
- Prompted the US to enter the war
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Winston Churchill
- British prime minister during WWII
- Powerful leader, his words stirred his nation as it readied itself for war, led the British fight against Nazi Germany and helped lead Allies to victory
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Hideki Tojo
- Japanese prime minister who focused intently on military expansion but sought to keep the US neutral
- Staged the attack on Pearl Harbor
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Neville Chamberlain
- British prime minister before WWII who met with Hitler at the Munich Conference
- Known for his failed policy of appeasement to Germany
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Douglas MacArthur
- American general who commanded the Southwest Pacific in the war
- Helped lead the Allies to victory over Japan
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