Ch 25 APUSH Study Guide

Definition - The Manhattan Project was a research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II. It was led by the United States with the support of the United Kingdom and Canada. Significance - The Manhattan Project led to the atomic bomb, the bomb that practically ended the war in the Pacific Theater.

Definition - After becoming president of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi party), he attempted to overthrow the government of Bavaria (1923). He was appointed chancellor of Germany (1933), transforming it from a democratic republic into the totalitarian Third Reich, of which he became Führer in 1934. Significance - He established concentration camps to exterminate the Jews, rearmed the Rhineland (1936), annexed Austria (1938) and Czechoslovakia, and invaded Poland (1939), which precipitated World War II. He committed suicide

Definition - The Axis powers were led by Nazi Germany. Axis powers definition. Germany, Italy, and Japan, which were allied before and during World War II. Significance - The three main enemies of the Allies that had almost all countries contributing to the war effort.

Definition - Major American naval base devastated in a surprise attack in Dec 1941. Significance - Important battle for America that brought the U.S to fight in the World War along with the Allies.

Definition - Term that came to symbolize all women who worked in defense plants and other industries during World War 2. Significance - Inspired women all over the U.S to work towards the war effort in order to mass produce the millions of vehicles, weapons, and ammunitions.

Definition - June 6, 1944: long promised invasion of France. Eisenhower commanded more than 1.5 million American, British, and Canadian soldiers across the channel. Helped to liberate Paris in August, had driven the Germans out of most of France and Belgium by September. Significance - D-Day helped the Allies in the European theater drive out the Nazis giving the Allies an advantage as the Americans were ready to fight.

Definition - December 1944. Last German offensive. Ten days of heavy fighting, then the Allies pushed Germans back across Rhine River and bombed Berlin. Hitler committed suicide on April 30. Significance - The final battle for the U.S in the European theater bringing the war close to an end.

Definition - An enormous battle that raged for four days near the small American outpost at Midway Island, at the end of which the US, despite great losses, was clearly victorious. Significance - The American navy destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers and lost only one of its own; the action regained control of the central Pacific for the US.

Definition - the 33rd U.S. president, who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt upon Roosevelt's death in April 1945. Significance- Truman, who led the country through the last few months of World War II, is best known for making the controversial decision to use two atomic bombs against Japan in August 1945.

Definition - Japanese port city and center of naval activity and war industry where the first atomic bomb was dropped. Significance - Along with Nagasaki, these cities were completely obliterated due to the dropping of the atomic bomb. Not only did it stop the war in the Pacific Theater, it brought many ethical controversies on whether or not it was necessary to kill millions of civilians.