World War II in Europe and the Pacific

Grade 11 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   Cards A to D. Card A, Franklin D. Roosevelt, message to Congress, December 11, 1941 (primary source; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, p. 475), to report Germany's declaration and ask Congress to act: "On the morning of December eleventh, the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world-conquest, declared war against the United States. … Italy also has declared war against the United States. I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy." Card B, the Joint Resolution of Congress, approved December 11, 1941 (primary source; 55 Stat. 796; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, pp. 475-476): "Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it Resolved … That the state of war between the United States and the Government of Germany which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared…" Card C, a summary in our words, written today: The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and makes the president the commander in chief of the armed forces. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (National Archives): Early in the war Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that Germany had to be stopped first if the Pacific war was to be won. Stalin pressed them to open a second front in Europe. In 1942 the United States had too few soldiers in England for a landing across the English Channel, so in July 1942 the two leaders chose North Africa as a first step. Landings at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers in November 1942 began that plan, and Sicily and Italy followed in 1943. The main landing in France came in 1944.

2. 1.

   Card A says Germany was "pursuing its course of world-conquest." Ari asks why Germany declared war on the United States. How far do cards A and B answer that?

   • Card B answers it, since the whereas clause of a resolution sets out Germany's reasons for the declaration
   • Card A answers it, since a president reporting to Congress knew Germany's aims and would not argue
   • Card A gives Roosevelt's view and card B states the declaration; neither gives Germany's own reasons
   • Both answer it, because Germany's defeat later showed that world-conquest was its aim

3. Use this

   Cards E to H. Card E, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Order of the Day, June 6, 1944 (primary source; printed single sheet), to the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: "But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. … The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!" Card F, A map in words, "The Pacific, 1942 to 1945" (not to scale): the Battle of Midway is on June 4, 1942. American landings reach Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, and Okinawa on April 1, 1945. Atomic attacks on cities fall on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The formal surrender is signed in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Also in 1945: the Potsdam Declaration warned Japan to surrender on July 26; the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on August 8; Japan offered to surrender on August 10 if the emperor could stay as head of state; President Truman announced Japan's acceptance of the Allied terms on August 14. Card G, a summary in our words from the US Army Center of Military History chronology (1960): The chronology records the main Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. It says Japan was decisively defeated there and that the defeat cost Japan the initiative. The war with Japan went on for more than three years after that. Card H, A map in words, "Allied landings, 1942 to 1944" (not to scale): Allied landings from the sea reach Morocco and Algeria on November 8, 1942; Sicily on July 10, 1943; Salerno, in Italy, on September 9, 1943; and Normandy, in France, on June 6, 1944. Germany, the country the Allies agreed to defeat first, surrendered on May 8, 1945.

4. 2.

   A student cites card E ("The tide has turned!", June 1944) and card G (a 1960 chronology on Midway) to show the Allies were winning both wars by mid-1944. How sound is that, Bo asks?

   • Limited: card E is a morale claim, and card G dates Midway to 1942, not to 1944
   • Sound: card G was written in 1960 with the outcome known, so it confirms card E's claim for 1944
   • Sound: card G shows Japan lost the initiative in 1942, so the Pacific war was being won by 1944
   • Sound: a commander writing on June 6 knew his position and would describe it plainly to his troops
5. 3.

   A student uses card E, which says the Allies inflicted "great defeats" on the Germans, to show the Allied army was the stronger in 1944. Do cards E and H support that, Esme asks?

   • Partly: card H lists Allied landings, but card E gives no numbers, so strength is not shown
   • Yes: a commander writing on the day of the landing knew the strength of both armies
   • Partly: card H shows the Allies won each landing listed, which is why card E's claim holds
   • Yes: card H ends with Germany's surrender in May 1945, which shows the Allied army was stronger

6. Use this

   Cards A to D. Card A, Franklin D. Roosevelt, message to Congress, December 11, 1941 (primary source; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, p. 475), to report Germany's declaration and ask Congress to act: "On the morning of December eleventh, the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world-conquest, declared war against the United States. … Italy also has declared war against the United States. I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy." Card B, the Joint Resolution of Congress, approved December 11, 1941 (primary source; 55 Stat. 796; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, pp. 475-476): "Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it Resolved … That the state of war between the United States and the Government of Germany which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared…" Card C, a summary in our words, written today: The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and makes the president the commander in chief of the armed forces. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (National Archives): Early in the war Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that Germany had to be stopped first if the Pacific war was to be won. Stalin pressed them to open a second front in Europe. In 1942 the United States had too few soldiers in England for a landing across the English Channel, so in July 1942 the two leaders chose North Africa as a first step. Landings at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers in November 1942 began that plan, and Sicily and Italy followed in 1943. The main landing in France came in 1944.

7. 4.

   A student says card D shows Stalin's pressure was why North Africa was chosen in July 1942. What does the card support, Jun asks?

   • Right: Stalin's pressure is the first reason the card gives, so it was the main reason for the choice
   • Right: North Africa let the Allies open a second front quickly, which is what Stalin wanted
   • Wrong: the card shows Stalin's pressure played no part in the plan, since just soldiers are named
   • It ties the choice to a shortage of soldiers; Stalin's pressure is mentioned, not named as the reason
8. 5.

   A student says the United States fought Germany only because Germany declared war on December 11. What do cards A and D show, Kira asks?

   • The Germany-first plan was the main reason, since it was agreed before Germany's declaration
   • The declaration was the sole reason, since card A shows the war with Germany began with it
   • The declaration made the war formal, and card D gives a second reason, so one cause is too few
   • Congress chose war with Germany first, and Germany declared war afterward in answer to that choice

9. Use this

   Cards E to H. Card E, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Order of the Day, June 6, 1944 (primary source; printed single sheet), to the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: "But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. … The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!" Card F, A map in words, "The Pacific, 1942 to 1945" (not to scale): the Battle of Midway is on June 4, 1942. American landings reach Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, and Okinawa on April 1, 1945. Atomic attacks on cities fall on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The formal surrender is signed in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Also in 1945: the Potsdam Declaration warned Japan to surrender on July 26; the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on August 8; Japan offered to surrender on August 10 if the emperor could stay as head of state; President Truman announced Japan's acceptance of the Allied terms on August 14. Card G, a summary in our words from the US Army Center of Military History chronology (1960): The chronology records the main Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. It says Japan was decisively defeated there and that the defeat cost Japan the initiative. The war with Japan went on for more than three years after that. Card H, A map in words, "Allied landings, 1942 to 1944" (not to scale): Allied landings from the sea reach Morocco and Algeria on November 8, 1942; Sicily on July 10, 1943; Salerno, in Italy, on September 9, 1943; and Normandy, in France, on June 6, 1944. Germany, the country the Allies agreed to defeat first, surrendered on May 8, 1945.

10. 6.

    Card G says Midway cost Japan the initiative in 1942; card F shows American landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa only in 1945. What does that pairing support, Luz asks?

    • Midway began a shift, but the war went on over three years and ended after events on card F
    • Midway ended Japan's power to attack, so the landings of 1945 simply finished what Midway had begun
    • The landings came late because ships were scarce, since they reached Japan's islands late in the war
    • Midway made Japan's surrender certain from June 1942, since the chronology calls the defeat decisive

11. Use this

    Cards A to D. Card A, Franklin D. Roosevelt, message to Congress, December 11, 1941 (primary source; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, p. 475), to report Germany's declaration and ask Congress to act: "On the morning of December eleventh, the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world-conquest, declared war against the United States. … Italy also has declared war against the United States. I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy." Card B, the Joint Resolution of Congress, approved December 11, 1941 (primary source; 55 Stat. 796; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, pp. 475-476): "Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it Resolved … That the state of war between the United States and the Government of Germany which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared…" Card C, a summary in our words, written today: The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and makes the president the commander in chief of the armed forces. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (National Archives): Early in the war Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that Germany had to be stopped first if the Pacific war was to be won. Stalin pressed them to open a second front in Europe. In 1942 the United States had too few soldiers in England for a landing across the English Channel, so in July 1942 the two leaders chose North Africa as a first step. Landings at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers in November 1942 began that plan, and Sicily and Italy followed in 1943. The main landing in France came in 1944.

12. 7.

    A student says card B shows Congress declared war on Italy as well as Germany. Using cards A and B, what is the sound reply, Noah asks?

    • Card A's request and card B together show both, since Congress acted on what the president asked
    • Card B covers Italy too, because card A says Italy had declared war on the United States
    • Card A asked about both, but card B names Germany, so the cards show no act on Italy
    • Card B shows Congress refused to act on Italy, since just Germany is named

13. Use this

    Cards E to H. Card E, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Order of the Day, June 6, 1944 (primary source; printed single sheet), to the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: "But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. … The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!" Card F, A map in words, "The Pacific, 1942 to 1945" (not to scale): the Battle of Midway is on June 4, 1942. American landings reach Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, and Okinawa on April 1, 1945. Atomic attacks on cities fall on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The formal surrender is signed in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Also in 1945: the Potsdam Declaration warned Japan to surrender on July 26; the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on August 8; Japan offered to surrender on August 10 if the emperor could stay as head of state; President Truman announced Japan's acceptance of the Allied terms on August 14. Card G, a summary in our words from the US Army Center of Military History chronology (1960): The chronology records the main Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. It says Japan was decisively defeated there and that the defeat cost Japan the initiative. The war with Japan went on for more than three years after that. Card H, A map in words, "Allied landings, 1942 to 1944" (not to scale): Allied landings from the sea reach Morocco and Algeria on November 8, 1942; Sicily on July 10, 1943; Salerno, in Italy, on September 9, 1943; and Normandy, in France, on June 6, 1944. Germany, the country the Allies agreed to defeat first, surrendered on May 8, 1945.

14. 8.

    Card E claims change since the "Nazi triumphs of 1940-41." How far does card H's list of landings support that change, Ren asks?

    • It cannot bear on the claim, since card E looks at 1940-41 and card H starts in 1942
    • It confirms the claim, since each landing listed was a victory over the Germans
    • It shows landings in North Africa, Italy and France, but not whether each landing succeeded
    • It confirms the claim, since Germany's surrender in May 1945 shows the tide had turned by June 1944
15. 9.

    Card G is an Army chronology of 1960 calling Midway a decisive defeat. A student says that makes it better evidence than a report written in June 1942. How should Tala weigh it?

    • The student is wrong, since people at the time knew the most about a battle and later writers merely guess
    • The student is right, since a government chronology is neutral and its ranking is a fact
    • Hindsight lets it rank Midway, but a 1942 report shows what was then known: different questions
    • The student is right, since the war's length of over three years confirms the chronology's judgment

16. Use this

    Cards A to D. Card A, Franklin D. Roosevelt, message to Congress, December 11, 1941 (primary source; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, p. 475), to report Germany's declaration and ask Congress to act: "On the morning of December eleventh, the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world-conquest, declared war against the United States. … Italy also has declared war against the United States. I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy." Card B, the Joint Resolution of Congress, approved December 11, 1941 (primary source; 55 Stat. 796; Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, pp. 475-476): "Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it Resolved … That the state of war between the United States and the Government of Germany which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared…" Card C, a summary in our words, written today: The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and makes the president the commander in chief of the armed forces. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (National Archives): Early in the war Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that Germany had to be stopped first if the Pacific war was to be won. Stalin pressed them to open a second front in Europe. In 1942 the United States had too few soldiers in England for a landing across the English Channel, so in July 1942 the two leaders chose North Africa as a first step. Landings at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers in November 1942 began that plan, and Sicily and Italy followed in 1943. The main landing in France came in 1944.

17. 10.

    Cards A and D: Germany declared war on December 11, 1941, and the main landing in France came in 1944. What do they show about change in the war with Germany, Zee asks?

    • The country did not fight Germany before 1944, since the main landing in France came in that year
    • Congress recognized the war when soldiers were ready, as the shortage in card D implies
    • The shortage of soldiers explains the whole gap between the declaration and France
    • War was recognized in December 1941; card D explains the 1942 North Africa start, not 1944