The Basic Of World War II Trivia Quiz!
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The Second World War lasted from 1939 to 1945, and some argue it started in 1937 when Japan invaded China rather than when Germany invaded Poland. How much do you know about this war, and can you separate facts from fiction? Take up this exciting quiz to test your knowledge. All the best!
- 1.
What was the treaty that ended WWI that laid some of the unrest that would later explode into WWII?
- A.
Geneva Conference
- B.
Treaty of Versailles
- C.
Paris Peace Accords
- D.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Correct Answer
B. Treaty of VersaillesExplanation
The Treaty of Versailles ended WWI in 1918, imposing massive reparations on the German people that fomented unrest that boiled over in the 1930s.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Hitler became the essential dictator of Germany in which decade?
- A.
1920s
- B.
1950s
- C.
1940s
- D.
1930s
Correct Answer
D. 1930sExplanation
Hitler was appointed Chancellor in 1933, and within a few years through various legislation was the de facto ruler of Germany.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What war during the 1930s greatly influenced the development of military tactics that were used in WWII?
- A.
The Spanish-American War
- B.
The Boer War
- C.
The Spanish Civil War
- D.
The Korean War
Correct Answer
C. The Spanish Civil WarExplanation
The Spanish Civil War was between the German supported Fascist government of Franco against the Soviet supported Republican government. In this war tactics and early production models were battle-tested and refined.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What was the last major attempt at a peaceful resolution with Germany prior to the outbreak of WWII?
- A.
The Munich Conference
- B.
The 1936 Olympic Conferences
- C.
The Washington Naval Conference
- D.
The Geneva Convention
Correct Answer
A. The Munich ConferenceExplanation
The Munich Conference of 1938 was an attempt to diffuse growing tensions in Europe. British Prime Minister Chamberlain returned from the conference saying we have secured "peace in our time".Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which event began World War II?
- A.
Pearl Harbor
- B.
Assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand
- C.
Invasion of Poland
- D.
Battle of Britain
Correct Answer
C. Invasion of PolandExplanation
Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. Britain and France shortly after declared war on Germany.Rate this question:
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- 6.
This was a line of fortifications across the French border with Germany:
- A.
The Siegfried Line
- B.
The Maginot Line
- C.
The Stalin Line
- D.
The Verdun Line
Correct Answer
B. The Maginot LineExplanation
The Maginot Line was an extremely complex series of fortifications on the French-German border. Its guns, however, were never fired in anger as the Germans bypassed it during the Battle of France.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The British Expeditionary Force was made to evacuate France in 1940 through the French port of:
- A.
Calais
- B.
Le Rochelle
- C.
Antwerp
- D.
Dunkirk
Correct Answer
D. DunkirkExplanation
Operation Dynamo rescued hundreds of thousands of British and French soldiers from Dunkirk, after the Germans had pushed them to the sea.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The Battle of Britain consisted of:
- A.
A Sea-borne landing operation
- B.
Unrestricted submarine warfare
- C.
Strategic bombing campaign
- D.
The largest tank battles in history
Correct Answer
C. Strategic bombing campaignExplanation
The Battle of Britain consisted primarily of an aerial war between Britain and Germany, with the stated goal of the German Luftwaffe to force Britain out of the war through bombing and later invasion.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during World War II?
- A.
Lenin
- B.
Trotsky
- C.
Stalin
- D.
Khrushchev
Correct Answer
C. StalinExplanation
Joseph Stalin was the premiere of the Soviet Union during WW2 through to the early 1950s.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The decisive city battle of the Eastern European Front was:
- A.
Kursk
- B.
Stalingrad
- C.
Kharkov
- D.
Kiev
Correct Answer
B. StalingradExplanation
Stalingrad was the bloodiest battle of world history. Following the battle the Germans never regained the initiative in the East.Rate this question:
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- 11.
When did Pearl Harbor occur?
- A.
December 7th, 1942
- B.
December 11th, 1941
- C.
December 7th, 1941
- D.
December 8th 1940
Correct Answer
C. December 7th, 1941Explanation
Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7th, 1941. This date is significant because it marks the day when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack resulted in the United States entering World War II. The other dates listed in the options are incorrect and do not correspond to the actual date of the Pearl Harbor attack.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What was the most significant early U.S. victory in the Pacific theatre?
- A.
Battle of the Coral Sea
- B.
Wake Island
- C.
Iwo Jima
- D.
Midway
Correct Answer
D. MidwayExplanation
Midway was up to that point the most decisive victory for the U.S. in the war. The Japanese lost four aircraft careers and never again could regain the initiative.Rate this question:
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- 13.
True or False: The Japanese never occupied U.S. Territory.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Early in the war the Japanese occupied Kiska and Attu in the Aleutian islands, which is U.S. territory off the coast of Alaska.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Who was the Commanding General of the German Afrika Korps nicknamed 'The Desert Fox'?
- A.
Rommel
- B.
Von Manstein
- C.
Von Rundtsted
- D.
Goering
Correct Answer
A. RommelExplanation
Erwin Rommel commanded the Afrika Korps from 1941 to 1943, and is considered one of the wars finest leaders.Rate this question:
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- 15.
The firebombing of this German town was a major civilian tragedy during the war.
- A.
Dusseldorf
- B.
Dresden
- C.
Stuttgart
- D.
Frankfurt
Correct Answer
B. DresdenExplanation
The firebombing of Dresden in 1945 killed more than 30,000 civilians and leveled most of the city.Rate this question:
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- 16.
The leading Axis powers of WWII consisted of:
- A.
Germany, Russia, Japan
- B.
Germany, Italy, Romania
- C.
Germany, Finland, Japan
- D.
Germany, Italy, Japan
Correct Answer
D. Germany, Italy, JapanExplanation
During World War II, the Axis powers were a coalition of countries that fought against the Allies. The correct answer is Germany, Italy, and Japan. Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, sought to expand its territory and establish dominance in Europe. Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, joined forces with Germany in pursuit of similar goals. Japan, led by Emperor Hirohito, aimed to expand its empire in Asia and the Pacific. These three countries formed a formidable alliance, sharing common interests and strategies, which ultimately led to their collaboration in the war.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The term "D-Day" refers to:
- A.
The Allied invasion of the coast of Normandy
- B.
The Allied Invasion of Southern France
- C.
The Allied Invasion of Italy
- D.
The Soviet Invasion of Germany
Correct Answer
A. The Allied invasion of the coast of NormandyExplanation
"D-Day" is a ubiquitous term meaning the day an operation kicks off.In this context it refers to the Allied landings o n the French Normandy Coast on June 6th, 1994.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The Battle of the Bulge refers to:
- A.
The American breakout through the hedgerow country
- B.
The Cherkassy Bulge
- C.
The German summer counteroffensive at Kursk
- D.
The German winter counteroffensive on the Western Front
Correct Answer
D. The German winter counteroffensive on the Western FrontExplanation
The Germans launched Operation Wacht am Rhein (Watch on the Rhine) in December 1944, intended to cut the Allied lines and capture the Belgian port of Antwerp.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The aftermath of WWII led directly to the collapse of Imperialism and the self-determination of former colonies.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
India was granted independence shortly after WWII from the British Empire, and numerous nations were granted self determination.Rate this question:
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Mar 10, 2025Quiz Edited by
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Feb 28, 2009Quiz Created by
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