World War II – Quiz

1. Explain the significance of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in the early stages of World War II.
2. Explain how the German army achieved such dramatic successes in 1940.
3. Explain why Germany was unable to achieve its objective in Russia in 1941.
4. Explain how the United States was drawn into World War II.
5. Identify the 1942 battle considered to be the turning point on the Eastern Front.
6. May 8, 1945, is known as ______________.
7. What two battles are considered to be the turning point in the Pacific Theater?

Show answers

1. Its secret provisions led to Germany’s and Russia’s partition of Poland.
2. Its reliance on rapidly moving columns of tanks enabled it to overrun much of western Europe.
3. The German army did not make it to the vicinity of Moscow until winter was setting in, and the Russian army was able to regroup and counterattack. Factors leading to Germany’s delay included a tardy beginning to the invasion resulting from Hitler’s decision to bail out Mussolini in te Balkans in the spring, and the German army’s 6-week detour to secure Russian oil fields in the summer.
4. Its economic sanctions against Japan, intended as a punishment for Japan’s invasion of China, provoked Japan into attacking the United States at Pearl Harbor in an attempt to neutralize American influence in the Pacific. Japan was allied to Germany, which was also upset with the U.S.’s policy of economic assistance to Britain, so Germany declared war on the U.S. as well.
5. Stalingrad
6. V-E Day
7. Coral Ridge, Midway