World War 2 Quiz
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1. What was the German defensive line along the French coast called?
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A. Atlantic Wall. The Atlantic Wall was the extensive German fortification system along the French coast.
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2. How many Jews were murdered in the Holocaust?
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C. Six million. Approximately six million Jews were systematically murdered during the Holocaust.
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3. How many Americans were killed in the Pearl Harbor attack?
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B. Over 2,400. The attack killed over 2,400 Americans and wounded over 1,100 more.
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4. In what year did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
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B. 1933. President Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor of Germany in January 1933.
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5. What factor most contributed to the German failure in Russia?
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A. Vast distances, harsh weather, and Soviet resistance. The vast distances, harsh Russian winters, and fierce Soviet resistance ultimately defeated the German invasion.
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6. How many Allied troops landed on D-Day?
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B. 156,000. Approximately 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
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7. Approximately how many Soviet citizens died during World War II?
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C. About 27 million. The Soviet Union lost about 27 million soldiers and civilians in World War II—the highest death toll of any nation.
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8. Why could many RAF pilots who were shot down return to fight again?
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D. They bailed out over friendly home territory. Because the battle was fought over Britain, RAF pilots who bailed out could rejoin their squadrons, while downed German airmen became prisoners.
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9. How many German soldiers surrendered at Stalingrad?
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C. 91,000. Approximately 91,000 German soldiers surrendered at Stalingrad, though only about 5,000 survived captivity.
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10. What was General McAuliffe's famous response when asked to surrender at Bastogne?
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D. Nuts!. When asked to surrender, General McAuliffe replied 'Nuts!'—a response that became legendary.
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11. On what date was the first atomic bomb dropped?
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B. August 6, 1945. The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
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12. What did Roosevelt call America's role in supporting the Allies?
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D. Arsenal of Democracy. Roosevelt called America the 'Arsenal of Democracy' for its role in supplying the Allies.
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13. When did the Battle of the Bulge take place?
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C. December 1944-January 1945. The Battle of the Bulge was fought from December 1944 to January 1945.
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14. What battle proved Britain could resist Nazi air attacks?
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A. Battle of Britain. The Battle of Britain (1940) proved that Britain could resist and defeat the Luftwaffe.
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15. What phrase did Churchill use in his first speech as Prime Minister?
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A. Blood, toil, tears, and sweat. Churchill declared 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat' in his first speech as Prime Minister.
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16. What was Eisenhower's role in the D-Day invasion?
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C. Supreme Commander. As Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, Eisenhower was responsible for planning and executing D-Day.
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17. On what date did D-Day occur?
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B. June 6, 1944. D-Day, the Normandy invasion, took place on June 6, 1944.
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18. What was the Soviet operation that surrounded the German Sixth Army?
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C. Operation Uranus. Operation Uranus was the Soviet counteroffensive that surrounded the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad.
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19. What was Eisenhower's greatest challenge as Supreme Commander?
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B. Managing Allied commanders. Eisenhower's greatest challenge was managing the egos and conflicting strategies of British and American commanders.
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20. How many Japanese aircraft carriers were sunk at Midway?
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C. Four. The United States sank four Japanese aircraft carriers at Midway: Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu.
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21. Which of Japan's top targets escaped the attack because they were at sea?
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A. Aircraft carriers. The U.S. aircraft carriers were at sea during the attack and escaped destruction, preserving American naval power.
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22. When did the Battle of Britain take place?
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B. July-October 1940. The Battle of Britain was fought from July to October 1940.
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23. When did Churchill become Prime Minister?
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B. May 1940. Churchill became Prime Minister on May 10, 1940, the same day Germany attacked France and the Low Countries.
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24. When did Roosevelt die?
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B. April 1945. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, just weeks before Germany's surrender.
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25. What was the Nazi plan to exterminate Jews called?
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D. The Final Solution. The 'Final Solution' was the Nazi plan for the systematic extermination of European Jews.
Aurelius: Learn History turns history into short illustrated stories, each followed by a quiz like this one: 400+ questions across 13 eras, plus trivia battles against the computer or a friend. Free to try.
About this quiz
Twenty-five questions on the Second World War, from the rise of Hitler and the Battle of Britain to D-Day, Stalingrad and the atomic bombs. Tap an answer to see if you are right; every answer comes with a short explanation.
The questions come from the lessons in Aurelius: Learn History, where each one follows a short illustrated story. They are written and checked by the Aurelius editorial team.
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