World War II History Questions: Answers and
Rationales
Question 1:
What executive order authorized the creation of large military
zones to exclude residents deemed a security threat during
World War II?
Answer: Executive Order 9066
Rationale: This order, signed by President Roosevelt in 1942,
allowed the military to designate areas from which any or all
persons could be excluded, leading to the internment of Japanese
Americans.
Question 2:
Which event on December 7, 1941, prompted President
Roosevelt to ask Congress for a declaration of war?
Answer: Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
Rationale: The devastating attack on the US naval base at Pearl
Harbor galvanized the nation and directly led to the United
States entering World War II.
Question 3:
Which 1941 legislation allowed the United States to provide
military aid to Great Britain while remaining officially neutral?
Answer: The Lend-Lease Act
Rationale: This act enabled the U.S. to lend or lease war
,supplies to allies, reflecting a shift from strict neutrality toward
supporting nations fighting Axis aggression.
Question 4:
What campaign promoted victory against both fascism abroad
and racism at home during World War II?
Answer: The Double V Campaign
Rationale: The Double V Campaign highlighted the dual fight
for victory over enemy forces overseas and for equal rights for
African Americans in the United States.
Question 5:
How did President Roosevelt respond to Philip Randolph’s
threat to lead a protest march by African Americans on
Washington, D.C., in 1941?
Answer: He signed an executive order prohibiting
discrimination by defense contractors
Rationale: To preempt the protest and address civil rights
concerns, Roosevelt issued an order that opened more job
opportunities for African Americans in defense industries.
Question 6:
Which policy led to the forced relocation and internment of
Japanese Americans during World War II?
Answer: Internment under Executive Order 9066
Rationale: The internment was justified at the time as a national
, security measure but later recognized as a grave injustice
affecting thousands of American citizens.
Question 7:
What government agency was created to coordinate the
mobilization of industry for war production during World War
II?
Answer: The War Production Board
Rationale: This board was established to convert peacetime
industry into a war footing, ensuring that military forces had the
necessary supplies to succeed in battle.
Question 8:
Which agency was responsible for controlling prices and
preventing inflation during the war?
Answer: The Office of Price Administration (OPA)
Rationale: The OPA set price limits and rationed scarce goods
to stabilize the economy during the heightened demand of
wartime production.
Question 9:
What was the purpose of rationing during World War II?
Answer: To ensure equitable distribution of scarce resources
Rationale: Rationing helped prevent shortages and allowed all
citizens to have access to essential goods during wartime
scarcity.
Rationales
Question 1:
What executive order authorized the creation of large military
zones to exclude residents deemed a security threat during
World War II?
Answer: Executive Order 9066
Rationale: This order, signed by President Roosevelt in 1942,
allowed the military to designate areas from which any or all
persons could be excluded, leading to the internment of Japanese
Americans.
Question 2:
Which event on December 7, 1941, prompted President
Roosevelt to ask Congress for a declaration of war?
Answer: Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
Rationale: The devastating attack on the US naval base at Pearl
Harbor galvanized the nation and directly led to the United
States entering World War II.
Question 3:
Which 1941 legislation allowed the United States to provide
military aid to Great Britain while remaining officially neutral?
Answer: The Lend-Lease Act
Rationale: This act enabled the U.S. to lend or lease war
,supplies to allies, reflecting a shift from strict neutrality toward
supporting nations fighting Axis aggression.
Question 4:
What campaign promoted victory against both fascism abroad
and racism at home during World War II?
Answer: The Double V Campaign
Rationale: The Double V Campaign highlighted the dual fight
for victory over enemy forces overseas and for equal rights for
African Americans in the United States.
Question 5:
How did President Roosevelt respond to Philip Randolph’s
threat to lead a protest march by African Americans on
Washington, D.C., in 1941?
Answer: He signed an executive order prohibiting
discrimination by defense contractors
Rationale: To preempt the protest and address civil rights
concerns, Roosevelt issued an order that opened more job
opportunities for African Americans in defense industries.
Question 6:
Which policy led to the forced relocation and internment of
Japanese Americans during World War II?
Answer: Internment under Executive Order 9066
Rationale: The internment was justified at the time as a national
, security measure but later recognized as a grave injustice
affecting thousands of American citizens.
Question 7:
What government agency was created to coordinate the
mobilization of industry for war production during World War
II?
Answer: The War Production Board
Rationale: This board was established to convert peacetime
industry into a war footing, ensuring that military forces had the
necessary supplies to succeed in battle.
Question 8:
Which agency was responsible for controlling prices and
preventing inflation during the war?
Answer: The Office of Price Administration (OPA)
Rationale: The OPA set price limits and rationed scarce goods
to stabilize the economy during the heightened demand of
wartime production.
Question 9:
What was the purpose of rationing during World War II?
Answer: To ensure equitable distribution of scarce resources
Rationale: Rationing helped prevent shortages and allowed all
citizens to have access to essential goods during wartime
scarcity.
