The Atlantic Theater Chapter 11 Sections 1 & 3

Lecture Focus Question #1: How did the Allies defeat the Axis Powers in Europe?

Americans Join the Struggle Axis Powers seem unstoppable Battle for control of the Atlantic Use of convoys as protection against U-boats Key war strategy: Allies agree to focus efforts on liberating Europe first

Axis Powers in Africa General Dwight Eisenhower (Ike): commanded invasion of North Africa General Patton (“Old Blood & Guts”): led U.S. forces Axis Powers pushed out of Africa northward Italy invaded Mussolini killed by Italians while fleeing

War in the Soviet Union Hitler breaks the Nonaggression Pact Red Army poorly equipped and trained Soviet citizens saw Germans as liberators until forced labor and executions began Battle of Stalingrad Turning point Germans forced to surrender and retreat

Planning Further Strategies Saturation bombing: Allies drop massive amounts of bombs on Germany by night Strategic bombing: targeting Germany’s key political and industrial centers Goal: destroy Germany’s capacity to wage war

Invasion of Western Europe D-Day Allied invasion of France’s Normandy coast Largest landing by sea in history Goal: liberate France and push Germans back into Germany Battle of the Bulge Largest battle in Western Europe 80,000 Allied casualties

V-E Day! Soviets suffered the largest Allied casualties 18 million dead Capturing Berlin was a matter of honor Hitler refuses to flee, commits suicide V-E Day: Victory in Europe Day, May 1945 Yalta Conference Germany split into 4 zones

Lecture Focus Question #1: How did the Allies defeat the Axis Powers in Europe?