April 11, 2017 U.S. History Agenda: NOTES #53: How did the U.S. help end World War II? NOTES #54: What was the aftermath of World War II for the U.S.? WORLD WAR II TEST TOMORROW
How did the U.S. help end World War II? Notes #53 Victory over Japan Day (August 15, 1945)
Allies invade Sicily (Operation Husky) (1943) In 1943, the U.S. and the Allies invaded Italy and forced its surrender. Benito Mussolini executed (1945) Allies invade Sicily (Operation Husky) (1943)
Hitler commits suicide (1945) In 1944, the U.S. and the Allies freed France from Germany’s control, invaded Germany, and forced its surrender by 1945. Battle of the Bulge (1944–45) Hitler commits suicide (1945)
Despite the surrender of Germany and Italy, Japan continued to fight WWII, having already cost the U.S. thousands of American lives. Battle of Iwo Jima (1945)
After entering WWII, the U. S After entering WWII, the U.S. began the Manhattan Project, which led to the development of an atomic bomb.
April 12, 1945
President Harry S. Truman Socorro, New Mexico (July 16, 1945) President Harry S. Truman decided to use atomic bombs against Japan in order to end WWII and limit the loss of American lives. President Harry S. Truman (1945–1953) Socorro, New Mexico (July 16, 1945)
In 1945, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
“Little boy”; dropped on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) “Fat man”; dropped on Nagasaki (August 9, 1945)
Hiroshima, before and after
Radius of destruction was 1 mile; fires existed across 2–4 miles of each city
Japan surrenders (August 14, 1945) This was the first (and only) use of nuclear weapons in warfare, which led to Japan’s surrender in 1945 and the end of WWII. Japan surrenders (August 14, 1945)