Quiz: How Much Do You Know About This 1940s History?
The 1940s in the United States were filled with fear, anxiety, and alien spaceships in the desert. It truly was an incredible time in American history. It is also a time that is slowly being forgotten. The further away we get from the decade that shaped modern America, the less we consider the truly massive impact the 1940s had on our culture. We don’t want to give too much away, but it would be surprising if you were able to get the majority of these questions right. Are you ready to rhumba and test your knowledge of the 1940s? Proceed with caution!
This is what the Government claims actually crash landed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947.
A. Hot air balloon
B. Test blimp
C. Experimental lightweight aircraft
D. Weather balloon
Answer: Weather balloon
The United States government stands firmly behind the report that it was actually a weather balloon that crashed in Roswell, New Mexico. In the 1990s, documents were even declassified saying it was a nuclear test surveillance balloon from Project Mogul.
Embroiled in World War II, this wartime act was enacted in 1940.
A. The Draft Act of 1940
B. The Blood Donation Act of 1940
C. The Emergency Army Act of 1940
D. The Selective Service Act of 1940
Answer: The Selective Service Act of 1940
The Selective Service Act of 1940 mandated that any male fit to serve their country between the ages of 21 and 36 must register with local draft boards. As the country entered WWII, the age range was increased two ages between 18 and 45.
She was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist who served as First Lady from 1933 to 1945.
A. Rose Cleveland
B. Mary Arthur McElroy
C. Nancy Reagan
D. Eleanor Roosevelt
Answer: Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt is the longest-serving First Lady, having held the title for much of the 1930s and half of the 1940s. President Harry S. Truman later referred to her as the “First Lady of the World” thanks to her human rights achievements.
This automaker became the first to include this feature as an option in 1940.
A. Ford, convertible
B. Chevrolet, V8 engine
C. Studebaker, suicide doors
D. Oldsmobile, automatic transmission
Answer: Oldsmobile, automatic transmission
In 1940 Oldsmobile began offering a fully automatic transmission as an option for its customers. The Hydramatic was the first mass-produced transmission of this kind.
_________ was the first musical written by the composing team of _________ and _________.
A. Gone With The Wind, Kaufman and Brown
B. Phantom of the Opera, Lloyd Webber and Christiansen
C. The Wizard of Oz, Garland and Harburg
D. Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein
Answer: Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein
In 1943 the release of Oklahoma! on Broadway marked the debut of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. The legendary pair would go on to make The Sound of Music 16 years later.
This President was elected to his ___ term in 1944.
A. Harry S. Truman, 2nd Term
B. William Henry Harrison, 3rd Term
C. Dwight Eisenhower, 3rd Term
D. Franklin Roosevelt, 4th Term
Answer: Franklin Roosevelt, 4th Term
In 1944 Franklin Roosevelt was elected to his 4th term as President of the United States. The 22nd Amendment, limiting Presidents to only two terms in office, was not ratified until 1951.
This major annual event was televised for the first time in the year_____.
A. Academy Awards, 1941
B. Indianapolis 500, 1946
C. Grammy Awards, 1949
D. World Series, 1947
Answer: World Series, 1947
The World Series made its live television debut in 1947 as the New York Yankees played the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Bronx Bombers beat the Dodgers in seven games, claiming their first World Championship since 1943.
This act increased revenue the government earned from its citizens
A. Emergency Tax Act of 1944
B. Government Aide Act of 1942
C. Selective Income Tax Act of 1944
D. Revenue Act of 1942
Answer: Revenue Act of 1942
In 1942 the government enacted the Revenue Act, increasing individual income taxes and corporate taxes while reducing the personal exemption amount. The act also allowed deductions for medical expenses.
This charter was supposed to lay out what the world would look like after the War was over.
A. Pacific Charter
B. United Nation Charter
C. Allied Charter
D. Atlantic Charter
Answer: Atlantic Charter
The Atlantic Charter was a policy issued on August 14. 1941 that defined the Allies goals once the war ended. Those goals, like global cooperation, became the basis for the modern United Nations.
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world…” is a famous line from this classic film released this year.
A. Rebecca, 1940
B. The Maltese Falcon, 1941
C. Double Indemnity, 1944
D. Casablanca, 1942
Answer: Casablanca, 1942
Released in 1942, Casablanca is still one of the defining films of the 1940s. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the film won Best Picture, Best Writing, and Best Director at the Academy Awards that year.
This program pushed the United States into World War II without actually fighting.
A. Shared Aid Program, 1940
B. Secret Tech Program, 1941
C. Overseas Aid Program, 1940
D. Lend-Lease Program, 1941
Answer: Lend-Lease Program, 1941
The Lend-Lease program ended the United States claims of neutrality during the war. Through the program, the government supplied unlimited food, oil, and material to its allies until the war ended.
This act forced the United States to enter the war as more than just an aid provider.
A. Battle of the Midway, 1942
B. Battle of the Coral Sea, 1942
C. Thwarted assassination of Roosevelt, 1941
D. Attack on Pearl Harbour, 1941
Answer: Attack on Pearl Harbour, 1941
On December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The act jettisoned the United States into the war, who declared war on Japan the next day, then Germany and Italy three days later.
This fight was the first of its kind where aircraft carriers engaged each other.
A. The Battle of Midway, 1942
B. The Battle of the Coast, 1942
C. The Battle of the Reef, 1942
D. The Battle of the Coral Sea, 1942
Answer: The Battle of the Coral Sea, 1942
The Battle of the Coral Sea took place between Japan, Australia, and the United States from May 4 to 8 in 1942. The devastating water war left over 1,500 soldiers dead, and over 150 aircraft destroyed.
This military act ended World War II in 1945.
A. Great Britain bombs Germany
B. Australia bombs Japan
C. France Bombs Russia
D. The United States bombs Japan
Answer: The United States bombs Japan
In 1945 the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. The bombs, which landed on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, devastated Japan, forcing them to surrender and ultimately ending the war.
This automaker became the first in the United States to release a “post-war” model.
A. Plymouth
B. AMC
C. Ford
D. Studebaker
Answer: Studebaker
Using the catchphrase, “First by far with a post-war car,” Studebaker released the first “post-war” automobile in 1947. The Studebaker Starlight was given a brand new body design with a flatback trunk. The look would come to define the “post-war” era of vehicles.
Four years after WWII ended, political tensions in Germany lead to this.
A. Holocaust denial
B. Only German being taught in schools
C. Disbandment of the National Soccer Team
D. Separation of East and West Germany
Answer: Separation of East and West Germany
In 1949 East and West Germany were formed as a result of what global powers controlled the country’s regions. East Germany was governed as a socialist state while West Germany formed a parliamentary republic.
Also four years after the war ended, this world organization was formed.
A. United Nations
B. European Union
C. Allied Nations For World Peace
D. North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Answer: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 1949 and still serves as a military alliance between North American and European countries. The members agree to fight for each regardless of the circumstance if one is attacked.
This was the actual name of Winston Churchill’s famous “Iron Curtain” speech.
A. Threat to Peace Address
B. Nuremberg Address
C. Global Peace Address
D. Sinews of Peace Address
Answer: Sinews of Peace Address
The Sinews of Peace Address delivered by Winston Churchill on March 5, 1946, used the term “iron curtain” to describe Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. The speech emphasized that although the “Great War” was over, peace was not entirely achieved.
This photography breakthrough was introduced to the world in 1947, starting a trend that is still going strong today!
A. Kodak Instant Camera
B. Fujifilm Color-O-Matic
C. Vivitar Wide Angle Camera
D. Polaroid Instant Film
Answer: Polaroid Instant Film
Polaroid Instant Film could develop shortly after taking a picture. The new trend allowed people to see their photos without having to pay a store to develop them. In recent years, the trend has come back into fashion as a smartphone attachment!
This act was a pre-emptive response by the Government after World War II ended.
A. Military Restructuring Act of 1947
B. Navy Boarding Act of 1947
C. House Defense Act of 1947
D. National Security Act of 1947
Answer: National Security Act of 1947
The National Security Act of 1947 restructured the United States’ military and intelligence agencies after the war ended. The act merged the Department of the Navy and the Department of War into the National Military Establishment (NME) which was to be run by the Secretary of Defense. It also created the CIA.
