APUSH: Period 7, 1890-1945 - World War II, Rise of Totalitarianism, Pearl Harbor, Home Front, Internment of Japanese Americans, D-Day, Atomic Bomb

Why This Matters

World War II was a pivotal event in modern history, marking the culmination of the rise of totalitarianism in Europe and the Pacific. The war's impact on the United States, particularly the home front and the internment of Japanese Americans, raises questions about American identity, civil liberties, and the role of government in times of crisis. Understanding the causes and consequences of World War II is essential for grasping the complexities of modern politics and power.

Key Events & People

• Adolf Hitler (German leader): rose to power in 1933, implementing fascist policies and aggressive expansion in Europe.
• Benito Mussolini (Italian leader): allied with Hitler, invading Ethiopia in 1935 and signing the Pact of Steel in 1939.
• Joseph Stalin (Soviet leader): initially allied with Hitler, but turned against him in 1941, playing a crucial role in the war's outcome.
• Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister): led Britain through the war, delivering iconic speeches and rallying the nation.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (US President): led the United States through the Great Depression and World War II, implementing New Deal policies and mobilizing the nation for war.
• Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941): a surprise attack by Japan, drawing the United States into the war.
• D-Day (June 6, 1944): the Allied invasion of Normandy, marking a turning point in the war.
• Atomic Bomb (August 6 and 9, 1945): the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender.
• Executive Order 9066 (February 19, 1942): a US government order authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans.
• Manzanar War Relocation Center (1942-1945): a Japanese American internment camp in California.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of totalitarianism in Europe and Japan led to aggressive expansion and militarization.
• Effect: The invasion of Poland in 1939 and the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 drew the United States into the war.

• Long-term consequence: The war's outcome led to the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War.

• Cause: The US government's internment of Japanese Americans was a response to perceived national security threats.

• Effect: The internment led to significant human rights abuses and long-term trauma for Japanese American communities.

• Long-term consequence: The internment remains a contentious issue in American history, with ongoing debates about civil liberties and government power.

• Cause: The Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day marked a turning point in the war.

• Effect: The invasion led to the liberation of Western Europe and the eventual defeat of Germany.
• Long-term consequence: The war's outcome led to the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War.

Essential Vocabulary

• Totalitarianism: a system of government characterized by complete control over all aspects of society.
  • Example: Hitler's Nazi regime in Germany.
• Fascism: a political ideology emphasizing nationalism, authoritarianism, and suppression of opposition.
  • Example: Mussolini's fascist regime in Italy.
• Internment: the forced relocation of people, often due to perceived national security threats.
  • Example: The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
• D-Day: the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
  • Example: The D-Day invasion marked a turning point in the war.
• Atomic Bomb: a powerful explosive device using nuclear reactions.
  • Example: The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
• Home Front: the domestic front in a war, involving mobilization and production efforts.
  • Example: The US home front during World War II.
• Pact of Steel: a treaty between Germany and Italy, signed in 1939.
  • Example: The Pact of Steel marked a significant escalation of aggression in Europe.
• Executive Order 9066: a US government order authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans.
  • Example: Executive Order 9066 was a key factor in the internment of Japanese Americans.
• Manzanar War Relocation Center: a Japanese American internment camp in California.
  • Example: Manzanar was one of the largest internment camps in the United States.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The US government's internment of Japanese Americans was a response to a specific attack or incident.
• Correction: The internment was a response to perceived national security threats, particularly the attack on Pearl Harbor, but also a broader climate of fear and racism.

• Memory trick: Think of the internment as a result of a "perfect storm" of factors, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US government's wartime policies, and anti-Japanese sentiment.

• What students often get wrong: The Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day was a decisive victory.

• Correction: While D-Day was a significant turning point in the war, the invasion was not without challenges and setbacks.

• Memory trick: Think of D-Day as a "bloodiest day" in modern history, with over 10,000 Allied casualties.

• What students often get wrong: The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a last resort.

• Correction: While the bombs were a last resort, they were also a strategic decision to end the war quickly and avoid a potential invasion of Japan.
• Memory trick: Think of the atomic bombs as a "game-changer" in the war, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the US government in the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Use evidence from Executive Order 9066, the Manzanar War Relocation Center, and the experiences of Japanese American individuals to support your argument.
• Specific evidence:
  • Executive Order 9066: a key document authorizing the internment.
  • Manzanar War Relocation Center: a primary source of information on the internment experience.
  • Testimony of Japanese American individuals: personal accounts of the internment experience.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the significance of the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day. Use evidence from the D-Day invasion, the experiences of Allied soldiers, and the broader context of the war to support your argument.
• Specific evidence:
  • D-Day invasion: a key event marking a turning point in the war.
  • Testimony of Allied soldiers: personal accounts of the invasion experience.
  • Historical context: the broader context of the war and the Allied strategy.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the significance of the US government's internment of Japanese Americans during World War II?
   • Correct answer: The internment was a response to perceived national security threats and a broader climate of fear and racism.
   • Explanation: The internment was a result of a complex set of factors, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US government's wartime policies, and anti-Japanese sentiment.
2. What was the outcome of the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day?
   • Correct answer: The invasion marked a turning point in the war, but was not without challenges and setbacks.
   • Explanation: D-Day was a significant victory, but the invasion was a complex and bloody operation.
3. Why did the US drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
   • Correct answer: The bombs were a strategic decision to end the war quickly and avoid a potential invasion of Japan.
   • Explanation: The bombs were a last resort, but also a key factor in Japan's surrender.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The US government's internment of Japanese Americans was a response to a specific attack or incident.
• The Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day was a decisive victory.
• The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a last resort.
• The Pact of Steel was a treaty between Germany and Italy, signed in 1939.
• Executive Order 9066 was a US government order authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans.
• Manzanar War Relocation Center was a Japanese American internment camp in California.
• The D-Day invasion marked a turning point in the war.
• The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
• The war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945 (V-E Day).
• The war in the Pacific ended on September 2, 1945 (V-J Day).