Polish Corridor
A strip of land that gave Poland access to the sea after World War I. Germany was split into two parts because of it, which made Adolf Hitler angry and helped lead to WWII.
Munich Conference
A meeting where Britain and France allowed Hitler to take part of Czechoslovakia in hopes of avoiding war. This policy was called appeasement.
North European Plain
A large flat area of land in Europe that made it easy for armies (like Germany’s) to move quickly during invasions.
Manhattan Project
A secret U.S. program during WWII that developed the first atomic bombs.
United Nations
An international group formed after WWII to promote peace, cooperation, and prevent future wars.
Collective Security
An idea that countries should work together to stop aggression. If one nation is attacked, others agree to help defend it.
Geneva Conventions
Rules agreed on by countries about how soldiers and civilians should be treated during war.
Nuremberg Trials
Trials after WWII where Nazi leaders were punished for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Blitzkrieg
A German military strategy meaning 'lightning war,' using fast attacks with planes, tanks, and troops to quickly defeat enemies.
Winston Churchill
Leader of Great Britain during most of WWII. Inspired the British people with speeches, refused to surrender to Nazi Germany, and worked closely with Allied leaders to defeat Hitler. After the war, warned the world about the spread of communism (called the Iron Curtain speech)
⭐ Why important: He kept Britain fighting and helped lead the Allies to victory.
Hideki Tojo
Military leader and Prime Minister of Japan during WWII. Led Japan during many early victories in the Pacific. Supported Japan’s expansion in Asia, helped plan the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was later tried and executed for war crimes.
⭐ Why important: He was one of the main leaders responsible for Japan’s actions in WWII.
Armenian Massacre
The killing of about 1 million Armenians by the Ottoman government during World War I.
Holodomor
A man-made famine in Ukraine caused by Soviet policies that led to millions of deaths.
Anti-Semitism
Hatred or discrimination against Jewish people.
Kristallnacht
'Night of Broken Glass' — Nazi attacks on Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues in Germany.
Nuremberg Laws
Laws that took away rights from Jewish people in Nazi Germany.
Genocide
The planned destruction or killing of a whole group of people because of their race, religion, or nationality.
Holocaust
The systematic murder of about 6 million Jewish people by the Nazis during WWII.
Auschwitz
The largest Nazi death camp where over a million people were killed.
Joseph Goebbels
Controlled Nazi propaganda (media, radio, newspapers), spread anti-Jewish ideas blaming Jews for Germany’s problems, and helped gain support for Hitler. Helped convince many Germans to support the war. Stayed loyal to Hitler until the very end of the war
⭐ Why important: He helped Nazis gain and keep public support.
Heinrich Himmler
Leader of the SS (elite Nazi forces). Controlled police forces and the Gestapo (secret police), Organized and ran concentration and death camps, Played a major role in planning and carrying out the Holocaust, Responsible for mass killings across Europe, Tried to escape at the end of the war and later died after being captured
⭐ Why important: He was one of the main leaders responsible for Nazi terror and genocide.