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Difficulty: MediumThe Second World War

In 1941, the Second World War expanded significantly when two major nations joined the Allied powers in the fight against Nazi Germany and the Axis. Which two countries joined the Allied cause in 1941?

  1. The Soviet Union and the United StatesAnswer
  2. B
    Italy and Japan
  3. C
    France and Poland
  4. D
    The Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria

Answer

The Soviet Union and the United States
The correct answer identifies the Soviet Union and the United States. In June 1941, Hitler broke his pact with Stalin and invaded the Soviet Union. Later that year, in December 1941, Japan attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, leading the United States to enter the war on the side of the Allies.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial Allied powers at the start of the war in 1939.
Britain, France, and Poland were the main early Allies.
The war began with the invasion of Poland and subsequent declarations of war by Britain and France.
2
Recall the major military and political shifts that occurred in 1941.
Germany launched Operation Barbarossa against the USSR in June, and Japan attacked the US at Pearl Harbor in December.
These attacks forced previously non-belligerent or neutral major powers into the conflict.
3
Determine which countries joined the Allied side as a result of these 1941 events.
The Soviet Union and the United States officially joined the Allied powers.
By the end of 1941, the 'Big Three' (Britain, USSR, and USA) had formed the core of the global Allied alliance.

Key Concept

Allied Alliance Expansion in 1941

Practice More

Review the specific events of June 1941 (Operation Barbarossa) and December 1941 (Pearl Harbor) to understand why the war became a global conflict.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

The Second World War

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