Name:______________________________________________ Period:_____________ Date:________________

Political, Diplomatic, and Military

Leaders:
During World War II – Webercise

* For this assignment, you will be utilizing website links to complete the questions for each section’s
World War II leader. It is imperative that you ONLY use the website provided for each leader in answering
the following questions. Please read in entirety each section’s link to fully grasp details on the leaders of
World War 2. When you have completed the exercise please print out and turn in to the assignment inbox.
Section 1: Winston Churchill : http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/31043477

1. What was Winston Churchill’s position? What country did he lead, and in what years?

2. What was Churchill best remembered for? How did his fellow countrymen feel about him?

3. How did Churchill feel/react in regards to Neville Chamberlain’s policies towards Nazi aggression?

4. During the war’s darkest days Churchill refused to give in and surrender to the Nazis. How do you
feel this type of attitude and resilience, from a leader, would have on a population? What other
public skill was Churchill especially know for?

Section 2: Adolf Hitler : https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/adolf-hitler

1. What were some of the major issues taking place in Germany that allowed Hitler to take power?
When did Hitler take power and what was the name of his party?

2. What country did Hitler invade in 1939 to start World War II?

3. Explain in detail Hitler’s racial policies. What groups did he single out to attack? Which race did he
feel was superior to all others?

4. How do you feel Hitler’s experience in World War I affected his actions during World War II? Who
did he blame for Germany’s loss in Word War I?

5. What was the name of Hitler’s autobiography, and where did he write it?

6. Hitler signed the non-aggression pact on September 1, 1939 with which country? Why was this so
significant for Germany’s ambitions?

Section 3: Emperor Hirohito :

https://study.com/academy/lesson/emperor-hirohito-reign-role-in-wwii.html

1. Japanese Emperor Hirohito had unique qualities that the other leaders during World War II did
not have. What qualities did the people of Japan believe their Emperor possessed?

2. What/When was the Tripartite Pact? What other countries did Hirohito align Japan with for World
War II?

3. Why did Japan plan a surprise attack on the United States? What was this surprise attack called
and when did it take place?

4. What happened to Emperor Hirohito after Japan surrendered in 1945? Explain why this is
significant.

Section 4: Benito Mussolini :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/mussolini_benito.shtml

1. What Party did Mussolini form in 1919? What types of supporters did this Party attract, and what
was the nickname of the Party’s armed squads?

2. What country did Mussolini invade in 1935?

3. What was the name of the Pact Mussolini formed with Nazi Germany? In what year was this Pact
formed? What racial policies did Mussolini adopt from the Nazis?

4. Who did Mussolini declare war on in 1940?

5. What happened to Benito Mussolini in April 1945? What were some of his actions that led to this
fate?

Section 5: Joseph Stalin : http://www.historyforkids.net/joseph-stalin.html

1. Why did Stalin sign a non-aggression pact with Germany in 1939?

2. Was Stalin known as being a brutal dictator? If yes, note some of the brutalities he commanded?

3. Why do you think Stalin was so surprised when Hitler broke the non-aggression pact and invaded
the Soviet Union?

4. In your own view, what are some possible reasons why Stalin was reluctant to listen or trust his
military commanders?

5. In 1943, what was the name/place of the conference where Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill met
the first time (the first meeting of the big 3)?

Section 6: Franklin Delano Roosevelt :

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/rise-to-world-power/us-wwii/a/fdr-and-world-war-ii

1. What event led American President Roosevelt out of the policy of neutrality during World War II?
 2. Roosevelt’s speech on December 7, 1941 had an infamous quote. What was the quote and what
historical event was Roosevelt speaking about?

3. What were the two theaters of war in which the United States fought during World War II?

4. Who were Roosevelt’s two closest allied leaders during the fight against Nazi Germany?

5. In your view what was Roosevelt’s most important role during World War II? What was America
able to supply to Britain and the Soviet Union? Was the rate of America’s industrial output
different to other nations during this period?

6. Interpret and explain President Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech.

Webercise Activity:

* After reading about the leaders of World War II in this Webercise, select 1 leader that interested you the
most. Write a one page essay, first discussing a policy or event that you agreed with how the leader
handled the situation. Please be detailed and remember to site the source website from this assignment.
Conclude the essay with a disagreement you have with how the leader handled an event or policy. Use
your critical thinking skills to incorporate: If you were this leader how could you have improved your
country’s situation in the conflict.