Unit 7 Section 3 War in Europe U.S. History Unit 7 Section 3 War in Europe

Timeline 1941 - 1945

George Marshall

George Marshall Appointed the Army Chief of Staff as WWII began Planned and equipped the United States Army to ready for war Coordinated the war effort from Washington D.C., Churchill called him the architect of victory. George Marshall

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower video Supreme Commander of the Allied invasion force during the invasion of Nazi-occupied France. Planned the attack on the five beaches at Normandy that would become D-Day and begin the liberation of Europe. Later elected President of the United States in 1952 Dwight D. Eisenhower video

Omar Bradley

Omar Bradley Commander in North Africa and Italy during World War II Commanded 12th Army group of American forces landing at Omaha beach in Normandy, France Known as “the Soldier's General” Omar Bradley

George Patton Video Patton Film Clip

Colorful and brilliant tank commander and general who led the American 3rd Army. Also known as “Old Blood and Guts” Spearheaded the final attack into Germany, freeing vast territory from the Nazis. George Patton

D-Day

D-Day

D-Day

D-Day

D-Day

D-Day

D-Day

D-Day

June 6, 1944 Also known as Operation Overlord Allies crossed the English channel and invaded German-held France at beaches of Normandy. The largest amphibious assault in human history and the turning point in European liberation. D-Day Video – 40 minutes Saving Private Ryan – opening 3 minutes “safe version”

Battle of the Bulge

This was a push to the west by the Germans that created a bulge in the lines in December 1944. This was the last Nazi offensive in the war Allies began to drive toward Berlin from east (Soviets) and west (USA and Britain) Battle of the Bulge

World War II Interactive Map The New European Map

Liberation of Concentration Camps

Liberation of Concentration Camp Video Band of Brothers The Germans used concentrations camps for forced labor to build war material Filled these camps with Jews and other unacceptable peoples of society Later many of these camps became death camps Americans liberated these camps as they overtook the German positions Liberation of Concentration Camp Video Band of Brothers

Holocaust

Holocaust

Holocaust

Holocaust

Holocaust Nazi Germany’s systematic slaughter of European Jews The Jews were first used as forced labor. Approximately 6 million Jews were killed in extermination camps Holocaust

Genocide

The deliberate annihilation of an entire people or nationality. Genocide

American Heroes

Vernon Baker

Vernon Baker, a black U.S. soldier who belatedly received the Medal of Honor for his World War II battlefield valor after historians concluded he'd been wrongly denied the military's top award because of his race Vernon Baker video

Audie Murphy

During a battle in Germany, at the age of 19, Murphy became the nation's most-decorated soldier, earning an unparalleled 28 medals including the Medal of Honor From Hunt County, Texas; after his service, he became a Hollywood actor Audie Murphy

Tuskegee Airmen

The first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces Part of the 332nd Fighter Group, the only operational unit of African-American pilots Nicknamed "Red Tails“ One of the most successful combat units in the war Tuskegee Airmen Video

Yalta Conference

Yalta Conference February 1945 Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin met to discuss post-war Europe. Agreed to divide Germany into four zones of occupation. Stalin wanted Germans to pay reparations, but other Allies disagreed. A “Declaration of Liberated Europe” was signed, but disagreements would lead to Cold War. Yalta Conference

The New European Map Site

The death of Hitler April 30, 1945 Hitler and his girlfriend, Eva Braun, committed suicide by biting down on cyanide capsules There are reports that he also shot himself The death of Hitler