The First Half of the War

Dec. 8 th 1941

I. After Pearl America Scrambled to Mobilize Boosting American Morale –With the Pacific fleet in disarray, the U.S. was forced to watch the Japanese build a Pacific Empire –FDR was desperate for a victory to show that the U.S. would fight Doolittle Raids –Japan was outside of our bomber’s range to attack –Or was it…? –The story… –Doolittle’s bombing was a great success, not in military terms, but in morale terms

Looking for someone ???? Ha, ha, ha… I told you not to bring your damn plane!

Once Again (see WWI) the American Economy revved up for war –Many of the same themes as WWI Production shifted to war materials The government took greater control of the economy to manage it for war aims Minority groups were called upon to contribute, which caused some tension because they hoped for equality in return

Part II. America’s Wartime Economy Gov’t Oversaw the Economy –Rationing –Massive borrowing to finance the war  Savings Bonds –Propaganda Films  Why We Fight =true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active (start at 1:30) =true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active –American production boomed In 1940 (pre war) America produced $100 billion worth of goods. In 1945  $220 billion. Military aircraft produced in 1940 (pre war)  6,000. In 1943  85,000.

Interesting Side Note  Keynesian Economics Won Legitimacy –Why? New Deal gov. spending had weakened, but not ended, the Great Depression. World War II spending, much greater than New Deal spending, did. –After the war, most economists accepted Keynesian principles Gov. should use its weight to minimize the business cycle

New DealWWII

WWII Teams Allies Axis Poland Britain France Additions: USSR U.S. China and over 40 other countries Germany Japan Italy 7 other small countries Part III. The Fighting

Battle of the Atlantic (1941 – 1943) Battle between Britain, U.S., and Germany over control of Atlantic Ocean From 1941 to 1943 Germany dominated the battle using U- Boats to destroy cargo ships By 1943 Allies were able to control the Atlantic Convoys New technologies The Hedgehog Catapult planes Sonar Significant because U.S. now able to safely provide supplies, weapons, soldiers to war in Europe

Convoys

The Hedgehog

Struggle Over a 2 nd Front Germany launched the bulk of its military at the Soviet Union America and Britain didn’t like the Soviet Union (Communist) but we hated Hitler more Thus, Britain, America, and the Soviets formed an alliance Starting in 1942 (after Pearl Harbor) Stalin desperately called on the Americans and British to invade Western Europe to open a 2 nd front This would divide Germany’s forces America and Britain delayed Why? Our explanation  An amphibious invasion is hard A possible alternative?  Do we really mind if the Soviets and Germans kill each other?

Southern Front (1942 – 1943) Eventually Britain and France opened a second front in North Africa, and eventually on into Italy Called “Operation Torch” American General Eisenhower fought against German General Rommel (“the Desert Fox”). See, Stalin, we opened a 2 nd front, but… …not exactly in the place most threatening to Hitler The ALPS! Allied victory, but long and slow

The Pacific About a year after Pearl Harbor, America’s increased production allowed us to start to win battles in the Pacific against Japan –Rebuilt Pacific navy Two key early battles –Coral Sea –Midway

Battle of Coral Sea (1942) five day battle where the Japanese were trying to take over Australia Japanese vs. Americans & Australians all fighting was done by planes first time since Pearl Harbor a Japanese attack had been stopped

Battle of Midway (1942) Japan wanted to seize this island near Hawaii U.S. broke a Japanese code allowing us to successfully defend the island the U.S. bombed and destroyed Japanese aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and 250 planes turning point in War in the Pacific led to the Island Hopping Campaign

Hansen Name ___________________ U.S. History Period __________________ Lecture #3- The First Half of WWII (part a) ۝ Part I. After Pearl America Scrambled to Mobilize Boosting American Morale –With the Pacific fleet in disarray, the U.S. was forced _______________________________ ________________________________________ –FDR was ________________________________ to show that the U.S. would fight ______________________ –Japan was outside of our _______________________ –Or was it…? –The story… _______________________________________ _________________________________________________ –Doolittle’s bombing was a great success, not in __________, but in ____________________ Once Again (see WWI) the American Economy revved up for war –Many of the same themes as WWI Production _______________________________ The government ___________________________ _____________________ to manage it for war aims __________________ were called upon to contribute, which caused some tension because they _________ ____________________________________________ ۝ Part II. America’s Wartime Economy Gov’t Oversaw the Economy –_______________________ –Massive _____________________ the war  Savings Bonds –Propaganda Films  ________________________ –American production boomed In 1940 (________) America produced $___________ worth of _______. In 1945  $_____________. Military aircraft produced in 1940 (pre war)  ______. In 1943  ___________. –Interesting Side Note  ______________________________ ______________________ –Why? New Deal gov. spending had ____________________ _________________, the Great Depression. _______ ________________________, much greater than New Deal spending, ___________. –After the war, most economists accepted Keynesian principles ____________________________________________ ۝ Part III The Fighting World War II Teams –Allies  Poland, Britain, France, _________________ ____________________________________________ –Axis powers  Germany, Japan, and Italy _______ Battle of the Atlantic ( ) –Battle between _________________________ over control of Atlantic Ocean – From 1941 to 1943 Germany dominated the battle using _______________________________ –By 1943 Allies were able to control the Atlantic Convoys- ____________________________ ____________________________________ New technologies –__________________ –Catapult planes –Sonar - ________________________ –Significant because U.S. now able to ______________ _____________________________ to war in Europe Struggle over ___________________________ –Germany launched the bulk of its military at ________ __________________________________________ –America and Britain didn’t like the Soviet Union (Communist) but ______________________________ Thus, Britain, America, and the Soviets formed ___________________ –Starting in 1942 (________________) Stalin desperately called on the Americans and British to ___________________to open a 2nd front This would _________________________ –America and Britain delayed Why? –Our explanation  _______________ _______________________________ _______________________________ –A possible alternative?  Do we really mind if _________________________ ______________________________?

Southern Front –Eventually Britain and France opened a second front in North Africa, _______________________________________ Called ___________________________ American General ________________ fought against German General Rommel (“the _____________”). –See, Stalin, we opened a 2nd front, but… …not exactly in the place most threatening to Hitler ________________________ – Allied victory, but _______________ The Pacific Front –About a year after Pearl Harbor, America’s ____________ _______________ allowed us to start to win battles in the Pacific against Japan ____________________________ –Two key early battles Coral Sea Midway –Coral Sea five day battle where the Japanese were ___________ ________________________________________ Japanese vs. Americans & Australians all fighting was ______________________ first time since Pearl Harbor a Japanese _________ _________________________________________ –Midway Japan wanted to seize this island near Hawaii U.S. _________________________ allowing us to successfully defend the island the U.S. bombed and destroyed Japanese aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and 250 planes _________________________________________ led to the Island Hopping Campaign- ___________ __________________________________________