Key Events & Figures Leading to World War II

Posted on Mar 5, 2025 in History

Key Events and Figures Leading to World War II

  1. Kristallnacht: A night of Nazi attacks on Jewish businesses and synagogues that signaled a rising anti-Semitism in Germany.
  2. Atlantic Charter: US-British agreement of August 1941 that promoted democracy and called for the establishment of a new international organization for peace.
  3. Appeasement: The British-French policy of attempting to prevent war by granting Germany’s demands.
  4. America First Committee: The leading isolationist group calling for non-intervention in the European war.
  5. Neutrality Acts: A series of laws passed by Congress in an attempt to “legislate isolationism.” They placed restrictions on the government in dealing with nations at war.
  6. Czechoslovakia: After being forced to give up the Sudetenland by the Munich Pact, this country was soon occupied by Germany.
  7. Cash-and-Carry Policy: The US adopted this policy in 1939 that would allow them to aid Britain and France by letting them buy supplies without involving US loans and ships.
  8. Austria: This was the first country taken over by Nazi Germany; it was achieved without firing a shot.
  9. Good Neighbor Policy: This included a renunciation of American intervention in Latin America and a repudiation of Theodore Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
  10. Munich Pact: This agreement Britain and France made with Germany sacrificed Czechoslovakian territory for a promise of peace from Hitler.
  11. London Economic Conference: FDR undermined the London Economic Conference.
  12. Philippines: Seeking to end its colonial expenses and withdraw from overseas commitments, the US promised future independence to the Philippines.
  13. American Response to Aggression: Throughout most of the 1930s, the American people responded to the aggressive actions of Germany, Italy, and Japan by supporting isolationist policies.
  14. Neutrality Acts (1935-1937): The Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 required that Americans avoid involvement with warring nations.
  15. Nazi-Soviet Pact: Shortly after Hitler signed a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union, Germany invaded Poland.
  16. Cash-and-Carry Act (1939): The cash-and-carry Neutrality Act of 1939 was cleverly designed to aid Britain and France while maintaining official neutrality.
  17. Fall of France: The event that shocked Americans to the core and moved them to make an enormous effort against Hitler’s aggressions in Europe was the Fall of France.
  18. Spain: (True or False) Spain was not conquered by Hitler’s Germany between September 1939 and June 1940. True
  19. Atlantic Charter Provisions: (True or False) The provisions of the Atlantic Charter signed by FDR and Churchill in 1941 included an agreement to end Soviet communism. False
  20. Pearl Harbor: America was officially brought into WWII when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
  21. Winston Churchill: Critic of the Munich Pact, he would lead Britain as prime minister in its fight against Germany.
  22. Charles Lindbergh: He was the leader of the America First Committee and chief spokesman for US isolationism.
  23. Benito Mussolini: He was the Fascist dictator of Italy who allied with Germany and invaded Ethiopia in an attempt to reestablish the Italian Empire.
  24. Joseph Stalin: Communist dictator of the Soviet Union, he signed a non-aggression pact with Germany.
  25. Francisco Franco: Fascist rebel who waged a civil war against the Spanish government, he accepted aid from Germany and Italy.
  26. Neville Chamberlain: As prime minister of England, he signed the infamous Munich Pact with Germany.
  27. Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR): He officially recognized the Soviet Union, instituted the Good Neighbor Policy, and pushed through laws to help Britain and France in their war with Germany.
  28. Adolf Hitler: Fanatical fascist dictator of Germany, his aggressions forced the US to abandon its neutrality.
  29. Hideki Tojo: Leader of the militarists in Japan, he ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor as opposed to withdrawing the army from China.
  30. Wendell Willkie: He would be the Republican nominee in 1940 when FDR ran for an unprecedented 3rd term.
  31. Good Neighbor Policy: (True or False) Roosevelt adhered to his Good Neighbor Policy of nonintervention to enlist allies in Latin America and defend the Western Hemisphere against dictators. True
  32. American Isolationism: (True or False) American isolationism was caused by deep disillusionment with US participation in the Spanish-American War. False
  33. Nazi Expansion: (True or False) Nazi Germany was able to take over Austria and Czechoslovakia without firing a single shot. True
  34. Isolationist Argument: (True or False) Isolationists argued that economic and military aid to Britain would lead to US involvement in WWII. True
  35. Abraham Lincoln Brigade: (True or False) The Abraham Lincoln Brigade was a group of young Americans who fought on the side of the fascists in the Spanish Civil War. False
  36. US-Japan Conflict: (True or False) The focal point of conflict between the US and Japan prior to Pearl Harbor centered on Japan’s demand that the US pull out of China. True