World War II

Completely Useless Information A hedgehog's heart beats 300 times a minute on average. Bingo is the name of the dog on the Cracker Jack box. Pogonophobia is the fear of beards.

The European Front Now in the war, the Allied Powers followed a “Defeat Hitler First” strategy-American resources centered on Europe (still fighting Japan at the same time). Germany hoped to defeat the USSR quickly, gain control of Soviet oil fields, & force Britain out of the war.

The European Front (cont.) Germanys plan was to provide constant bombing & submarine warfare before the U.S. industrial & military strength could turn the tide of the war.

A True World War World War II impacted much of the world-Europe, China, Soviet Union, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, South Pacific, and North Africa.

Major Battles & Military Turing Points North Africa – At El Alamein (1942), German forces threatening to seize Egypt & the Suez Canal were defeated by the British. The Allied victory prevented Hitler from gaining access to oil in the Middle East. Prevented Hitler from attack the USSR from the south.

Major Battles & Military Turing Points (cont.) Europe – Stalingrad: Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed or captured in a month long siege of the Russian city of Stalingrad. – This defeat prevented Germany from seizing the Soviet oil fields & turned the tide against Germany in the east

Major Battles & Military Turing Points (cont.) Operation Overlord: D-day – The Allies planned to invade German controlled France across the English Channel in order to liberate France. – US Gen, Dwight Eisenhower was put in command of the invasion. – The invasion began on D-Day, June 6, 1944, when the Allies attacked Normandy.

Major Battles & Military Turing Points (cont.) Despite intense German opposition & heavy casualties, the landing succeeded. This begins the liberation of Western Europe. W/ Soviet troops moving into Berlin, Hitler committed suicide & Germany surrendered May 8, 1945-V-E Day (Victory in Eur. Day)

The Holocaust The Allies discovered Germany was practicing genocide during the war. Genocide is the systematic & purposeful destruction of a racial, political, religious, or cultural group. The Final Solution was Hitler’s plan exterminate all Jews.

The Holocaust Six to eight million Jews were killed in concentration camps as a part of Hitler’s Final Solution, as well as two to six million other “undesirables” (gypsies, homosexuals, physically handicapped, disabled, Jehovah’s Witnesses, & political opponents). – Most camps were located in Russia & Eastern Europe (Auschwitz) – Prisoners were worked to death, gassed, & then burned-Nazi’s collected their gold teeth, hair for mattresses, & ashes for fertilizer.

Nuremberg Trials After the war, 24 Nazi leaders were put on trial in Nuremberg & charged w/ war crimes. 12 of the 24 were sentenced to death w/ the remaining being sent to prison, despite claiming that they were only following orders. This was not accepted as an excuse. The trials led to an increased demand for a Jewish homeland.

Minority Contributions to the War Despite living in an America where many minorities were forced to live in racially segregated neighborhoods & were treated as second-class citizens, minorities played a primary role in fighting & winning WWII.

Minority Contributions to the War (cont.) More than one million African-Americans served in segregated units in primarily non-combat roles. – Following protests, they began to serve in combat in Apr – Tuskegee (Tuhs-kee-gee) Airmen served in Europe w/ distinction flying many significant missions.

Minority Contributions to the War (cont.) Chinese & Japanese Americans served in the military during the war. – Served as spies & interpreters for the war in the Pacific. – Nisei (Nee-Say) parents have emigrated from Japan) regiments served w/ distinction in Italy becoming the most decorated unit in US history.

Minority Contributions to the War (cont.) Native Americans served w/ distinction & provided unique & valuable services. – Navajo Code Talkers provided an oral language that the Japanese could never interpret or break. Mexican-Americans served w/ distinction in segregated units. Minority units suffered high causalities & won numerous unit citations & individual medals for bravery in action.