AP US History
Chapter 28 Questions
1) In what places did the U.S. fight WWII? What were some of the key details of the fighting in these
locations?
The U.S. contributed to WWII both in Europe and in the Pacific. In Europe, American soldiers
fought in North Africa, Italy, France, and ultimately in Germany. Most of the fighting in Europe was
assisted by the British military and many of which were bombings on Germany. In the Pacific side, there
were several major battles that took place against the Japanese. In Leyte Gulf, the Allies’ navy proved to be
much stronger than Japan’s and thus, Japan’s navy was dramatically weakened. Iwo Jima was also a great
loss to the Japanese navy. In the battle at Okinawa, the Japanese showed their desperation to resist the
Allied forces through their kamikaze attacks where over 100,000 Japanese died from suicidal attacks. In the
end, American participation in WWII showed the rest of the world the great military power of the U.S.
2) How did the American people and the American government react to early news of the Holocaust?
Despite the horrific rumors of the Holocaust, the American government did not do much to assist
the victims despite protests from the public. The U.S. military refused to help bomb concentration camps
and destroy railroads that were headed to the camps. American leaders claimed that such destruction would
have little effect. In addition to the passiveness of the U.S. military, the American government extremely
limited Jewish admittance to the U.S., using only 10% of the visas allowed. The government claimed the
only way to save the victims was to end World War II.
3) In what ways was American home front mobilization during WWII similar to that of WWI? To what
extent did this mobilization during WWII help end the Great Depression? USE KEY TERMS!
Although the home front mobilization during WWII was similar to that of WWI, such efforts were not
as successful as before but did help end the Great Depression. Just like the War Industries Board during
WWI, in WWII, the War Production Board was created to mobilize the economy for war. The War
Production Board did meet most of the war needs but was lacking in powers and enforcement, unlike the
War Industries Board of WWI. As in WWI, many different groups of people such as minorities and women
were needed to work in factories or replace the jobs of white men who fought in the war. Increased
employment followed by efforts to limit deflation and dramatic increases in the federal budget helped end
the Great Depression.
4) Describe the situation for African Americans and women during WWII.
Both African Americans and women experienced an improved change to their status during World
War II. The demand for manpower led military leaders to allow large amounts of African Americans into
the military. Despite the efforts to integrate whites with more blacks, there were still protests about
discrimination but the changes to the military suggested there was change in racial beliefs in society as a
whole. The FEPC was created to investigate discrimination against blacks in war industries and was a rare
success for black laborers. The Congress of Racial Equality was also a limited attempt to challenge
segregation and helped inspire the civil rights movement in the 1950s. There was a dramatic increase in
female employment during World War II but most importantly began to work in the industries, replacing
men who had gone to fight in the war. With the absence of so many men, a distinct female community was
created. Overall, World War II proved to be a benefit to African Americans and women.
5) Describe the situation for Native Americans and Mexican Americans during WWII.
Native Americans and Mexican Americans experienced a change in unemployment during WWII.
As the demand for labor in war plants increased, Mexican Amer. and Native Amer. were needed to work in
factories. Native Amer. mainly moved out of their reservations because of lack of government assistance
during the war. Through their new employments, natives were able to have close contact with whites and
many became assimilated. Natives also worked as code-talkers, in the communications department of the
war effort. Since Europeans could not understand the native language, code-talkers proved to be quite
effective. The increase in Mexican Amer. during the war increased tensions with whites. For example,
zoot-suit riots were staged by white tailors to attack Mexican Amer. style of clothing that challenged
traditional wear. Despite the benefits, after WWII ended, many Native Amer. and Mex. Amer. were again
faced with heavy white discrimination.
6) Describe and evaluate the situation for Japanese Americans and the changing relationship between the U.S.
and China during WWII.
While Japanese Americans were treated with increased hostility during WWII, the Chinese were
met with declined hostility in order to improve relations between the U.S. and China. Even though the
Japanese Americans were citizens, they were treated with discrimination because whites felt that the
Japanese would never fully become “real” Americans. As a result, the Jap. Amer. became more closed in,
which reinforced the belief of Japanese being devious and isolated people. Many Jap. Americans were
accused of sabotage in the U.S. and were viewed as a threat to the nation. Therefore, the War Relocation
Authority was created to isolate the Japanese from the rest of the nation in “relocation centers” or
“internment camps” which were basically prisons located deep in the mountains or in the desert. There was
not much opposition from other Americans because they were more concerned with acquiring the
Japanese’s lost property. In Korematsu v. U.S., Japanese internment was declared constitutional but only
for “disloyal” citizens, a term which was up to interpretation. On the other hand, the military alliance
between China and the U.S. during WWII dramatically decreased hostility towards Chinese Americans. For
one, the Chinese Exclusion Acts were finally repealed after about 60 years. Although only 105 people from
China were permitted to stay in the U.S., thousands more came through provisions that covered war brides
and fiancées. In addition, Chinese in the U.S. were able to become citizens. The decline in hostility toward
the Chinese in the U.S. was due to the desire to increase hostility toward the Japanese, comparing the two
Asian races side by side. The new employment opportunities in war plants encouraged Chinese Americans
to move out of their isolated Chinatowns and allowed whites to notice the contribution to war efforts by the
Chinese.
7) What were the key events that led to victory for America and its allies in Europe, North Africa, and the
Pacific? How did American leaders and forces particularly contribute to these key victories? USE KEY
TERMS!
The Allies’ victory in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific were largely due to strategic decisions,
superior manpower/equipment, and technological advancements. In Europe, the bombings of the Allies
were especially effective in weakening Germany’s morale and its air force. On D-Day, Eisenhower
bombarded the Cotentin Peninsula, sending troops and supplies for an intense fight, which ended up cause
the German forces to leave the coast of Normandy. The Battle of the Bulge turned out to be the last efforts
of German resistance. The effectiveness of America and the European Allies in the west was doubled by
the strength of the Soviet army in the east. In the end, Germany surrendered on May 9, 1945, shortly after
Hitler’s suicide. The battle in the Pacific did not end when Germany surrendered. In the battles at Leyte
Gulf and Iwo Jima, the Allied forces proved to be very strong and effective against Japan. Many Japanese
military leaders refused to surrender despite the wavering opinions of the Japanese government itself. On
August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by the U.S. but even then, the Japanese
government was unable to agree on a decision. As a result, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on
August 8 and the next day another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, which finally allowed the
Japanese government to surrender.