Key People
- Charles De Gaulle- He was a French general who set up a government-in-exile located in London, that was committed to reconquering France after it fell to German control. He also organized the Free French military forces that fought against the Nazis until 1944, when France was liberated.
- Winston Churchill- He was the British prime minister who firmly believed that his nation would never give in and fall under Germany. From the beginning he warned his country about Hitler and his clever tactics, and emphasized how well they must be prepared. He was a man who never believed in giving up which is depicted in one of his many famous lines, " You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks".
- Douglas MacArthur- was the general commander of the Allied forces in the Pacific. After the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, he created a plan against them involving to seize lands closer to Japan that are poorly defended and starve the enemy troops. Later, after Japan accepted its defeat in 1945, he helped demilitarize their army and change the Japanese empire into a parliamentary democracy.
- Hirohito- is referred as the emperor of Japan during World War II, who was also a figure of the new state and Japan's recovery after the war. During his reign, Japan was one of the great powers, and after his reign it was the world's second largest economy.
- Erwin Rommel- was a German general in the North African campaign, who took over the city of Tobruk, a small town on the Libyan coast, in 1942. While retreating west, Rommel suffered many defeats in North Africa.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower- was an American general who was given responsibility to supervise the invasion of North Africa in Operation Torch. He was also the commander of the force planning to strike on the coast of Normandy in order to force the Germans to retreat and liberate France. Later, he became the president of the United States.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt- Was the only president of the United States to serve more than two terms. He led U.S. during the Great Depression and for about four months of World War II. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt described it as, "a date which will live in infamy (shame)".
- Joseph Stalin- was the leader of the Soviet Union who believed in the concept of "socialism in one country". He joined the nonaggression pact with Germany, promising to not attack each other which was later on violated by Hitler.
- Benito Mussolini- He was the dictator of Italy who joined forces with Hitler and had also declared war on France and Great Britain. During the attack on France, Italy attacked from the South. During the Battle of Britain, he planned to seize the British- controlled Egypt. He lost his power when the Allies defeated Germany who had taken control of northern Italy.
- Adolf Hitler- was the dictator of Nazi Germany who created the atmosphere leading to World War II, when he was expanding Germany and demanding that the Polish corridor be returned to him. He commanded German forces throughout World War II. After the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler committed suicide blaming the Jews for everything. One of the many lines that depicts Hitler's role throughout World War II is : "It is not truth that matters, but victory".
- Chiang Kai- Shek- Nationalist Chinese leader who during World War II, was the allied commander of China.
- Harry Truman- was the President of the United States after Roosevelt died. In order for Japan to surrender, Truman ordered the use of atomic weapons.
Key Terms
- Anschluss- the annexation of Austria into Germany in 1938.
- Axis powers- Germany, Italy, and Japan. They allied in the Second World War to fight against the Allied Forces.
- Battle of Britain- (10 July - 31 October 1940) During this battle Germany attacks Great Britian but fails. In Hitler's plan Operation Sea Lion they began bombing Britain with their air force and then started to bomb at night. However, Britain didn't give up, therefore Hitler called off his attacks. * Important lesson learned from the Battle: Hitler's advanced can be blocked.
- Battle of Iwo Jima- (19 February - 26 March 1945) When the USA captured the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.
- Battle of Midway- (4 - 7 june 1942) When the USA launched a surprise defensive attack on the Japanese when they tried to take Midway Island in the pacific.
- Battle of Stalingrad- (23 August 1942 - 2 February 1943) A very bloody battle when Hitler tried to take Stalingrad in the Soviet Union, and was unsuccessful.
- D-day- the D-day June 6 1944 is the day of the invasion of Normandie from the Allied during World War 2. Commanded by D.D. Eisenhower it's still the largest seaborn invasion of history.
- Gestapo- The secret police of Nazi Germany
- Lebensraum- The Nazi's belief that they needed more land and space to grow and expand.
- Manhattan Project- The developing of the atomic bomb.
- S.S. - The troops that served as bodyguards to Hitler and Nazi leaders in Germany.
- V-E day- The day the allies declared victory over the European part of WWII.
- V-J day- The day Japan surrendered to the USA and the allies.
- Wannsee Conference- When Hitler met with other Nazi leaders in Germany to plan to exterminate all the Jews.