Early Difficulties Chapter 27, Section 1

U.S. Preparation for War Increased production: agriculture and industry Expanded the government: numbers and authority Began to direct the economy Equip and feed American Army and assist allies Began to raise the Army

American Economic Contributions America’s economic activity undisturbed by conflict American refineries produced 90% of the aviation fuel Most Soviet transport equipment made in America Pittsburgh produced more steel than the Axis

Raising an Army Selective Training and Service Act 2/3 of all soldiers were draftees 21-35 years old Later expanded to 18-45 Began in summer of 1940

Strengths and Weaknesses Allies Axis Strengths: U.S. had tremendous production capacity Soviet Union had vast manpower Britain and Soviet Union had not been defeated Weaknesses: Faced long, drawn-out fights on several fronts Enemy had firm control of conquered area spread over an enormous area Strengths: Better prepared for war Had firm control over invaded areas Had been rearmed since 1930s Already had airfields, barracks, and military training centers Economies ready for war Weaknesses: Had to defend multiple fronts

American Strategy in World War II Pacific is the Second Front America devotes 85% of its war effort to Europe and 15% to the Pacific Question: Why did America want to focus on the European warfront first?

American Strategy in World War II Europe first: Concentrate military resources on European Theatre Keep Britain in the war Win Battle of Atlantic Caution in opening a second front in Europe North African Campaign begins in November 1942 Stop Japanese offensive: Protect Australia, New Guinea, and Pacific perimeter

War in the Pacific Japanese attacks after Pearl Harbor Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines Burma Borneo Netherlands East Indies Wake Island Hong Kong

The Bataan Death March Army of 70,000 U.S. and Filipino soldiers surrendered – April 1942 Largest surrender in American military history Forced to march through the jungle on their way to prison camps Those who fell behind or stopped for water were shot More than 10,000 died

Halting the Japanese Advance Battle of Coral Sea (May 1942) Stopped Japanese advance on Australia Considered Allied victory Allies lost a carrier Battle of Midway (June 1942) Japan launched two-pronged attack: 1. Seize Aleutian Islands – Alaska 2. Attack Midway Allied victory Weakened Japanese force in Pacific Guadalcanal (August – October 1942) First U.S. offensive in Pacific U.S. strategy in Pacific = island hopping – hopping from island to island, pushing Japanese out/defending from Japanese Coral Sea: U.S. did not want to lose Aus. – important naval base Midway: U.S. knew of the “distraction”, set up ambush on Japanese attack Guadalcanal: U.S. pushed Japan out of the Pacific islands

Creative Representations America suffered some very costly encounters with the Japanese early in the war, but were able to turn the tide by the summer of 1942. Draw an image or icon that represents this problem and how it worked in America Surround your image with a word cloud including at least 5 nouns, 5 verbs, and 5 adjectives Discuss and develop with your partner You have 6 minutes

Early Fighting in Europe and the Mediterranean Battle of El Alamein (July 1942) British stop German drive to Suez Canal and Middle East oil fields Allied victory Battle of Stalingrad (January 1943) Soviets stop German drive to Soviet oil fields Operation Torch (November 1942) America’s first offensive in Europe

Creative Representation America began its effort against Hitler in Europe with caution Draw an image or icon that represents this problem and how it worked in America Surround your image with a word cloud including at least 5 nouns, 5 verbs, and 5 adjectives Discuss and develop with your partner You have 6 minutes