Lesson 2

Pearl Harbor

7:50-10:00 AM, December 7, 1941 - Surprise attack by the Japanese on the

main U.S. Pacific Fleet harbored in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii destroyed 18 U.S. ships
and 200 aircraft. American losses were 3000, Japanese losses less than 100. In
response, the U.S. declared war on Japan and Germany, entering World War II.

Benito Mussolini
(1883-1945) Italian leader. He founded the Italian Fascist Party, and sided with
Hitler and Germany in World War II. In 1945 he was overthrown and
assassinated by the Italian Resistance.

Adolf Hitler
Austrian-born founder of the German Nazi Party and chancellor of the Third
Reich (1933-1945). His fascist philosophy, embodied in Mein Kampf (1925-
1927), attracted widespread support, and after 1934 he ruled as an absolute
dictator. Hitler's pursuit of aggressive nationalist policies resulted in the
invasion of Poland (1939) and the subsequent outbreak of World War II. His
regime was infamous for the extermination of millions of people, especially
European Jews. He committed suicide when the collapse of the Third Reich was
imminent (1945).

World War II
War fought from 1939 to 1945 between the Allies and the Axis, involving most
countries in the world. The United States joined the Allies in 1941, helping
them to victory.
concentration camps
prison camps used under the rule of Hitler in Nazi Germany. Conditions were
inhuman, and prisoners, mostly Jewish people, were generally starved or
worked to death, or killed immediately

United Nations
An international organization formed after WWII to promote international peace,
security, and cooperation.

Cold War
A conflict that was between the US and the Soviet Union. The nations never
directly confronted each other on the battlefield but deadly threats went on for
years.

Marshall Plan
A plan that the US came up with to revive war-torn economies of Europe. This
plan offered $13 billion in aid to western and Southern Europe