Introduction to WWII

US Debt 1940 - $9 billion US Debt 1945 - $98 billion Quick Facts A. War Costs US Debt 1940 - $9 billion US Debt 1945 - $98 billion The war cost $330 billion -- 10 times the cost of WWI & as much as all previous federal spending since 1776

Quick Facts (write 2-3) B. Human Costs

50 million people died (compared to 15 million in WWI) Quick Facts (write 2-3) B. Human Costs 50 million people died (compared to 15 million in WWI) 21.3 million Russians (7.7 million civilians) 11 million died as a result of the HOLOCAUST (6 million Jews + 5 million others)

Dec. 7 – Japan bombs Pearl Harbor; US enters the War Sept. - Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Japanese Surrender When? 1939-1945 US involvement 1941-1945 1939 1941 1945 Sept.1 - Germany invades Poland (official start to the war) Sept. 3 -Britain & France declare war on Germany Dec. 7 – Japan bombs Pearl Harbor; US enters the War May - Germans Surrender

Axis Allies Who? (major powers) (major powers) Great Britain Germany Russia Italy United States Japan France (note: France surrendered to Germany in 1940 (after 6 weeks of fighting)

Major Leaders Adolf Hitler Nazi Germany Benito Mussolini Italy

Major Leaders Hideki Tojo Winston Churchill Japanese Prime Minister British Prime Minister

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Major Leaders Joseph Stalin Russian Leader Franklin Delano Roosevelt US President

Why? (underlying causes of WWII) 1. Treaty of Versailles 2. World-wide Depression Rise of Totalitarian Regimes Isolationism Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Woodrow Wilson during negotiations for the Treaty

Why? 3. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes A. In a Totalitarian country, individual rights are not viewed as important as the needs of the nation Fascist Dictatorship (Germany, Italy) Communist Dictatorship (USSR) Totalitarianism Military Dictatorship (Japan)

Meanwhile … in the Pacific Pearl Harbor: “a date which will live in infamy” What? Surprise attack by the Japanese on American forces in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii US declares war on Japan & other Axis powers USS Arizona Sinking in Pearl Harbor Effect?

The Atomic Bomb The atomic bomb could very well be the most terrible thing ever invented. It is a weapon of destruction. When first tested with only thirteen pounds of the explosive, the bomb left a crater six feet deep and twelve hundred feet in diameter as well as causing a sixty foot steel tower to literally disappear The model above shows the great destruction at Hiroshima. The entire city was decimated within seconds. It is estimated that 70,000 – 90,000 instantly perished. However, there are also unaccounted deaths due to the massive radiation from the bomb. About 90 percent of the buildings in the city were damaged or completely destroyed. Picture from - http://www.jfeenstra.com/south_pacific_tour_page_three.htm

The Atomic Bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki USA Terrorism: HiROSHiMA , NAGASAKi Atomic Bomb You Tube video Clip The audio above was a statement made by Harry S. Truman’s announcing the atomic bombing at Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The audio was recorded via voice recorder from the “American Presidency Project” website because the website does not offer a direct download due to copyright issues. The picture above is of stunning mushroom cloud. Truman’s speech is confidence and assures an American victory. He mentions beating the Germans and pride in the U.S. for having the first atomic weapon. He also states some of his motivations for bombing Japan. Audio clip adapted from - http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/medialist.php?presid=33 Picture from - http://www.radgraphics.net/images/main/ArtilleryShell.jpg

Hiroshima Before The Atomic Bomb The picture above is a model of Hiroshima pre-atomic bomb. Before the bombing, Hiroshima was a city of industrial and military significance. There were even some military camps located nearby. It was one of the few cities in Japan, nearly untouched by American bombing. Hiroshima was picked as a target location because there was a large population, no POW camps, and the hills nearby would be “spectacular” when bombed. Picture from - http://www.jfeenstra.com/pacific/SP205.jpg

The Japanese Surrender The Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945. The ceremony took place on the USS Missouri accompanied by British ships in Tokyo Bay. Japan agreed to a ceasefire and the release of POW’s. Japan agreed to end all hostilities and acknowledge the authority of the U.S. Supreme Commander. The Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Higashi Kuni, broadcasted an appeal to his people to obey the terms of the surrender. Japan was forced to accept its defeat “squarely”. Picture - http://www.wwiivets.com/Curriculum%20Images/images/MacArthur%20Taking%20Japanese%20Surrender%20on%20the%20Missouri,%202%20Se__A_jpg.jpg