End of World War II and the Homefront

Agenda Bell Ringer: What is the turning point in the Pacific Theater? How do the Japanese respond? (5) Quick Debate, the true start of World War II (20) 2. Lecture: Europe and the Homefront (20) 3. Censoring Headlines Activity (10) 4. Brief Discussion: Use of the Atomic Bomb (15) 5. Nukemap, and impact of the bomb. (10)

North Africa, 1942 Starting at El Alamein, Montgomery, along with Eisenhower launch “Operation Torch” The two armies come in from the East and West, surround the Afrika Korps of Germany and Italy. 1943, War in Africa is nearly over. This is nearly the end of the war for Italy.

Stalingrad Germans suffer heavy losses because of the Russian Winter. Stalin told his men, “Not one step backward” By November Germans controlled 90% of the city, but Winter set in, again. Out of 330,000 troops, only 90,000 live to surrender.

The end of Italy, and Mussolini After Africa is taken by the Allies, they attack Sicily and end Mussolini’s reign. He was found attempting to flee Italy as a German soldier. Resistance fighting would continue until 1945. Mussolini executed and hanged in public square.

D-Day May, 1944. 3.5 million troops mobilized to strike on the coast of Normandy. June, 6th is the attack date. Germans knew an attack was coming, but thought it was on Calais beach, farther East. Still a formidable German presence on the beach, with machine guns and concertina wire. Over 3,000 Americans died on Omaha beach that day, but by August France was back in the hands of the Allied forces.

Battle of the Bulge Last major German offensive of the war. An attempt to divide British and American forces. December, 1944 It ultimately failed. Now Hitler faced a war on two fronts rapidly approaching Germany. He ends up killing himself in his bunker in April, when Soviet forces are invading Berlin. Germany would surrender in May, 1945.

The use of the Atomic Bomb Iwo Jima would be the last major battle in the Pacific, with nearly 110,000 Japanese troops killed in one month. Instead of facing large troop losses, Truman decided to use the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, then in Nagasaki. Over 110,000 civilians killed in the two cities. Surrender would occur on September 2nd.

Before the Bombing

After the Bombing

War at Home Americans mobilize for war by limiting civilian production. Automobile factories are making tanks, bullets. The majority of men are fighting in the war, so women begin entering the workforce. i.e. Rosie the Riveter. Meatless Mondays return, as well as propaganda advocating “Victory Gardens”

After the War London, many cities in Germany, and parts of the Soviet Union lay in ruins. Conferences were held in Yalta and Potsdam to discuss how countries would recover after the war, and the division of lands held by Germany. United Nations was formed, with permanent members controlling a peacekeeping force.

Nuremberg and Occupation Germans were held liable for the atrocities of the Holocaust. 22 leaders charged with crimes against humanity. Hermann Goring kills himself after being sentenced to execution, along with 11 others. Similar trials occur in Japan as MacArthur restructures the government into Democracy.