World Wars

Britain, France and Russia were among the countries collectively called the Allied Powers in World War I. Germany and Austria-Hungary led the Central Powers. Exam tip: Axis Powers is mainly associated with World War II.

The First World War ended in 1918. For exams also remember the armistice date 11 November 1918.

The Second World War began in 1939. For exams connect its start with Germany's invasion of Poland.

The Second World War ended in 1945. The war in Europe ended with Germany’s surrender in May 1945, and the war concluded fully after Japan’s surrender in September 1945. 1939 is the year the war began, not the year it ended. Exam tip: remember the period of the Second World War as 1939–1945.

The assassination of Franz Ferdinand turned the crisis into war. For exams remember it as the immediate cause.

The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 imposed harsh terms on Germany. For exams connect it with the background of the Second World War.

The League of Nations was created after the First World War for peace. For exams remember that it failed to prevent the Second World War.

The United Nations was formed in 1945 for world peace and cooperation. For exams remember the difference between the League of Nations and the United Nations.

The main Axis Powers were Germany Italy and Japan. For exams keep them separate from the Allied Powers.

Britain was one of the major Allied Powers in the Second World War. For exams also connect USA Soviet Union and China with the Allies.

Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. For exams connect this event with the start of the war.

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. For exams remember that this led to the entry of the USA into the war.

The correct answer is the United States of America. On 7 December 1941, Japan attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. The United States then declared war on Japan and entered the Second World War directly. China was already fighting Japan, while Turkey and Sweden remained neutral for most of the war. Exam tip: Link Pearl Harbor with 1941 and the US entry into the war.

The USA dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. For exams remember both Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945. For exams remember Hiroshima on 6 August and Nagasaki on 9 August.

The Holocaust was genocide carried out by Nazi Germany. For exams remember it as a human tragedy of the Second World War.

Trench warfare was very important on the Western Front in the First World War. For exams connect trenches with long and difficult fighting.

France was on the Allied side in the First World War. For exams also connect Britain and Russia with this side.

Germany was a major Central Power in the First World War. For exams also remember Austria Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.

On 11 November 1918 the armistice of the First World War took place. For exams treat it as a key date of the war's end.