World War II

Dictatorship One person holds all of the political power in a country
1941-1945 Years of US involvement in World War II, America enters war when Japan attacks US base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Dec. 7 (“Day of Infamy”), Europe and Pacific theaters, Japan-Italy-Germany vs. U.S.-Great Britain-Russia, war end in Europe May 8 and Japan Aug. 14, 1945
Pearl Harbor Surprise Japanese attack on largest US base in Hawaii on Dec 7, 1941(“Day of Infamy”); caused US to enter World War II, more than 2,000 US military and civilians are killed.
World War II 1941-1945 were years of US involvement, but war began in Europe in 1939, America enters war when Japan attacks US base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7 (“Day of Infamy”), Europe and Pacific theaters, Japan-Italy-Germany vs. U.S.-Great Britain-Russia, war ends with surrenders in Europe on May 8 and by Japan on Aug. 14, 1945
Internment of Japanese Americans In response to Pearl Harbor, US government suspects all Japanese-Americans as possible spies; thousands especially on West Coast relocated to prison camps on US mainland
Battle of Midway Considered “turning point” of World War II in the Pacific; US ships and planes defeat large Japanese fleet on its way to capture Midway Island for use as military base (1942)
Home front What was happening in the United States while America was at war. Examples: women in the economy (Rosie the Riveter), war bonds, rationing coupons, victory gardens, scrap metal drives
Rationing Goods needed for the armed forces or wartime production was rationed (limited); included rubber, gasoline, oil, sugar, butter, and meat, Americans used