History 475 World War II

Midterm Study Guide Fall 2007

Test Date: October 12

The first part of your test will be composed of one es= say that I will choose from the topics given below. The essay is worth 60% of your grade.

Potential Essays:

How did the conclusion of the First World War cause and shape the beginnings of the Second Wo= rld War? What were the ramificati= ons of the Treaty of Versailles? How= did the rise of appeasement contribute to the war? Was appeasement rational given the historical context?

Discuss the development of “Global Allied Strategy” leading to, and including, the entry of the United States with the attack on Pearl Harbor. What changes in military doctrine and technology took place? What were the interests of the maj= or participants in the war (the US, Great Britain, Japan, Ger= many, & the USSR)?

What developments in Asia and the Pacific contributed to the origins of the Second World War? What were these movements?

Discuss the policies of Franklin Roosevelt up to Pearl Harbor. What specific steps did Roosevelt take in reaction to events in Euro= pe and Asia? What did his critics say about these policies? To what extent were his policies a success or a failure (or something in-between)?

Discuss politics during the interwar period (from 1918= to 1941) in the United = States? Specifically, focus on American re= action to its involvement in WWI and the relationship between domestic policy and international affairs. What arguments did isolationists and internationalists make in response to chang= ing international situations in Europe and Asia during the 1930s.

Terms:

There will be 6 terms on the exam and you will need to identify 4 of those terms. Th= is section is worth 40% or 10% per term. The second part of your test will be comprised of terms that you will need to identify using the who, what, where, when, why, and significance format. These answers should = be a solid paragraph. Sample answe= rs can be found on the “How to do well in a history course” section on= my faculty web page.

Women’s International L= eague for Peace and Freedom