World War II in Europe and the Pacific A two-front war

WWII in Europe

August 1939 The Soviet Union and Germany signed a non-aggression pact

September 1939

September 1939 Employing blitzkrieg (literally, “lightning war”) tactics, Germay invaded Poland. Soviets invaded Poland from the east and the Baltic countries. Britain and France declared war on Germany. World War II began. U.S. was still Neutral.

Axis Strategy Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan Invade Soviet Union Take Possession of Northern Africa Oil Bomb Britain out of the war

July 10, 1940 During the first two years of the war, the United States stayed officially neutral while Germany overran France and most of Europe and pounded Britain from the air (the Battle of Britain). In mid-1941, Hitler turned on his former partner and invaded the Soviet Union.

March 1941 Roosevelt passed the Lend-Lease Act It gave Britain war supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean. Soon after, the Lend-Lease Act gave the President authority to sell or lend equipment to countries to defend themselves against the Axis powers. “It’s like lending a garden hose to a neighbor whose house is on fire!” – FDR

December 7, 1941 United States remained neutral for the first two years Without any warning, Japan carried out an air attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii -Why there? Attack destroyed much of the American Pacific fleet Killed several thousand Americans. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. Watch Clip

Declaration of WAR The U.S. and Britain declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941. Germany declared war on the United States on December 11, 1941.

“Defeat Hitler First” Allied Strategy in Europe and North Africa

January 1942: Wannsee The “Final Solution” to the Jewish question: Eliminate all the Jews

August 1942: Stalingrad The long, bloody battle proves to be a turning point in the war, as Germany begins a retreat from the Eastern Front.

January 1943 Roosevelt and Churchill hold a conference at Casablanca, Morocco.

El Alamein Hitler defeated in North Africa Kept him from accessing valuable oil

July 1943 Italian dictator Benito Mussolini is overthrown and imprisoned.

June 6, 1944: D-Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RTzi5Vt7 w Over 160,000 Allied troops and 30,000 vehicles are landed along a 50-mile stretch of fortified French coastline and begin fighting on the beaches of Normandy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RTzi5Vt7 w

December 1944: The Battle of the Bulge By the end of the month, the Battle of the Bulge ends. Over 76,000 Americans have been killed, wounded, or captured The Allies regain the territory they held in early December

Yalta Conference – February 1945

March 1945 U.S. forces cross the Rhine River. The Germans retreat into Germany.

April 30, 1945 Hitler Died.

May 8, 1945 General Dwight Eisenhower accepted Germany's unconditional surrender at Reims, France on May 7, 1945. Germany likewise surrendered to Russia in Berlin. V-E Day (Victory over Europe) on May 8, 1945

IN THE PACIFIC

“Island-hopping” Allied strategy in the Pacific

Imperialism

Bataan Death March About 76,000 prisoners including 12,000 Americans were forced on the 60-mile march under a blazing sun without food or water toward a new POW camp in the Philippines. April 1942. Led to the Geneva Convention

The Battle of Midway “The Miracle at Midway” American victory Moved Pacific war away from Hawaii and closer to Japan

Guam Just 8 minutes after U.S. Marines and Army assault troops landed on Guam Two U.S. officers plant the American flag, using a boat hook as a mast. July 20, 1944. Firebombing Tokyo 1942

Iwo Jima By March 16, when Iwo Jima was declared secured, 6,821 Americans and 21,000 Japanese (the entire force) had died

Okinawa Marines sustained more than 125 casualties in eight hours crossing this valley. May 1945.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki The 9,000 lb. bomb was dropped from 31,600 feet and detonated at 8:15 a.m., August 6, 1945, about 1,900 feet above the center of Hiroshima

Japanese Surrender (V-J Day) Japan's unconditional surrender. August 15, 1945