Section IV: The End of World War II (Pages ) This section is about: This section is about: How the Allied troops gained strength from the entrance of American troops into the war. How the Allied troops gained strength from the entrance of American troops into the war. The end of the war in Europe and the discovery of the concentration camps. The end of the war in Europe and the discovery of the concentration camps. How the war in the Pacific ended when the United States dropped two atomic bombs. How the war in the Pacific ended when the United States dropped two atomic bombs.

There are three famous pictures in this section – one on each page (678, 679, and 680). There are three famous pictures in this section – one on each page (678, 679, and 680). Look at the chart on page 681. Look at the chart on page 681. And, the main ideas on page 678. And, the main ideas on page 678.

Americans Shift the Balance in Europe The Tide Begins to Turn in Europe In December, 1941: Hitler controlled most of Europe. In December, 1941: Hitler controlled most of Europe. But, the balance of power changed when America entered the war. But, the balance of power changed when America entered the war. By November, 1942: British and American troops (under General Eisenhower) had invaded North Africa, and then Tunisia. By November, 1942: British and American troops (under General Eisenhower) had invaded North Africa, and then Tunisia. They then turned towards Italy and soon forced Mussolini from power (but the German troops in Italy kept fighting). They then turned towards Italy and soon forced Mussolini from power (but the German troops in Italy kept fighting). About the same time, the Soviets began to push the Germans out of the USSR (in the Battle of Stalingrad, the Germans lost 300,000 troops). About the same time, the Soviets began to push the Germans out of the USSR (in the Battle of Stalingrad, the Germans lost 300,000 troops).

D-Day The Allies made secret plans to attack the Germans (not even the commanders “ in the field ” new of specifically when and where). The Allies made secret plans to attack the Germans (not even the commanders “ in the field ” new of specifically when and where). The plan was to attack at smaller ports and not the large cities. The plan was to attack at smaller ports and not the large cities. June 6 th, 1944: D-Day: 150,000 Allied troops invaded the beaches of Normandy, France (under General Dwight Eisenhower). June 6 th, 1944: D-Day: 150,000 Allied troops invaded the beaches of Normandy, France (under General Dwight Eisenhower). Many of the first soldiers were killed by German machine guns overlooking the beaches, but the Allies kept coming – eventually with success. Many of the first soldiers were killed by German machine guns overlooking the beaches, but the Allies kept coming – eventually with success. Within a month, 1,000,000 Allied troops were in France/Europe. Within a month, 1,000,000 Allied troops were in France/Europe.

The War in Europe Ends The Allied invasion at Normandy was the beginning of the end for Hitler. The Allied invasion at Normandy was the beginning of the end for Hitler. Germany now had to fight on 2 fronts and their forces were spread too thin. Germany now had to fight on 2 fronts and their forces were spread too thin. Allied victory was in sight. Allied victory was in sight.

The Horrors of War As Allied troops crossed into Europe, they began to see the horrible parts of Hitler ’ s rule. As Allied troops crossed into Europe, they began to see the horrible parts of Hitler ’ s rule. This included the concentration camps that held political prisoners, and members of certain racial and ethnic groups. This included the concentration camps that held political prisoners, and members of certain racial and ethnic groups. There were more than 300 of these camps (Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Dachau, etc…) There were more than 300 of these camps (Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Dachau, etc…) This is where Hitler ’ s plan of genocide was to be carried out. This is where Hitler ’ s plan of genocide was to be carried out. We know it as the Holocaust. We know it as the Holocaust. (killing a group of people because of their race/religion)

Victory in Europe The Allies kept advancing. The Allies kept advancing. The Germans did put up one final surprise attack at “ the Battle of the Bulge ” but the Allies eventually won the battle. The Germans did put up one final surprise attack at “ the Battle of the Bulge ” but the Allies eventually won the battle. Soviet troops kept pushing forward from the other side and eventually had Berlin surrounded. On April 30 th, Hitler killed himself and one week later, Germany surrendered. Soviet troops kept pushing forward from the other side and eventually had Berlin surrounded. On April 30 th, Hitler killed himself and one week later, Germany surrendered. Unfortunately, President Roosevelt had died on April 12 th (stroke). Unfortunately, President Roosevelt had died on April 12 th (stroke). The Day of the surrender is called V-E Day (victory in Europe). The Day of the surrender is called V-E Day (victory in Europe).

The Conferences at Yalta and Potsdam Even before V-E day, the leaders of the Allied nations knew they were going to win. Even before V-E day, the leaders of the Allied nations knew they were going to win. In Feb. 1945, Churchill, Stalin, and FDR met in Yalta, Russia to discuss peace and plans for ending the war. In Feb. 1945, Churchill, Stalin, and FDR met in Yalta, Russia to discuss peace and plans for ending the war. FDR asked Stalin to help in the Pacific. Stalin said he would if he got to control Eastern Europe after the war. FDR asked Stalin to help in the Pacific. Stalin said he would if he got to control Eastern Europe after the war.

Another conference was held in Potsdam, Germany to discuss plans for peace. Another conference was held in Potsdam, Germany to discuss plans for peace. President Harry Truman (FDR died) agreed with Churchill and Stalin to divide Germany into 4 zones, with each (and France) controlling one). President Harry Truman (FDR died) agreed with Churchill and Stalin to divide Germany into 4 zones, with each (and France) controlling one). Truman also told them he was considering dropping a big bomb on Japan. Truman also told them he was considering dropping a big bomb on Japan.

The War in the Pacific After Midway, the U.S. began a plan called “ island hopping. ” After Midway, the U.S. began a plan called “ island hopping. ” They would only attack some of the islands at a time. They would only attack some of the islands at a time. Most of these battles were bloody and costly but the Americans usually fought off the resistance (Guadalcanal, New Guiney, Guam, Iwo Jima, etc…). Most of these battles were bloody and costly but the Americans usually fought off the resistance (Guadalcanal, New Guiney, Guam, Iwo Jima, etc…). The Japanese refused to surrender (it was thought to be shameful to give up). The Japanese refused to surrender (it was thought to be shameful to give up).

Truman Faces a Difficult Choice When Truman took over for Roosevelt, he was told about “ the Manhattan Project. ” When Truman took over for Roosevelt, he was told about “ the Manhattan Project. ” This was a secret plan to build a nuclear weapon. This was a secret plan to build a nuclear weapon. Scientists had been working under strict secrecy – in Chicago and New Mexico – where it was tested. Scientists had been working under strict secrecy – in Chicago and New Mexico – where it was tested. When some of the scientists found out how powerful this bomb really was, they wrote a letter to President Truman – asking him not to use it. When some of the scientists found out how powerful this bomb really was, they wrote a letter to President Truman – asking him not to use it.

Truman knew the next step in the war in the Pacific was to actually go and attack Japan. Truman knew the next step in the war in the Pacific was to actually go and attack Japan. If he did this, it was estimated that 250,000 Americans would die – and as many as 1,000,000 Japanese. If he did this, it was estimated that 250,000 Americans would die – and as many as 1,000,000 Japanese. If he used it, it also meant Stalin wouldn ’ t invade Japan and take Pacific islands for the USSR. If he used it, it also meant Stalin wouldn ’ t invade Japan and take Pacific islands for the USSR.

Nuclear War Truman sent the Japanese a message: “Surrender or be destroyed. ” Truman sent the Japanese a message: “Surrender or be destroyed. ” The Japanese ignored the message. The Japanese ignored the message. On August 6 th, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. On August 6 th, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Three days later, on Nagasaki. Three days later, on Nagasaki. Both cities were completely destroyed. Both cities were completely destroyed. The world was amazed at the power of one bomb. The world was amazed at the power of one bomb. On August 15 th, the Japanese emperor spoke to the Japanese people (for the first time ever). On August 15 th, the Japanese emperor spoke to the Japanese people (for the first time ever). He announced the surrender of Japan. He announced the surrender of Japan.

The Effects of the War The destruction and violence of WWII affected Europe for a long time. The destruction and violence of WWII affected Europe for a long time. Millions were homeless and diseased. Millions were homeless and diseased. Survivors from prison camps wandered around looking for…. Survivors from prison camps wandered around looking for…. European nations had no “ neighbors ” who could help. European nations had no “ neighbors ” who could help. More than 50 million people around the world had died. More than 50 million people around the world had died. ……………………. …………………….

There was an agreement among the Allies to hold trials of war leaders who had “ committed crimes against humanity. ” There was an agreement among the Allies to hold trials of war leaders who had “ committed crimes against humanity. ” 142 of 177 Germans and Austrians were found guilty. 142 of 177 Germans and Austrians were found guilty. One of the more famous trials was at Nuremberg. One of the more famous trials was at Nuremberg. In Tokyo, seven defendants were found guilty and were executed, including former premier Hideki Tojo. In Tokyo, seven defendants were found guilty and were executed, including former premier Hideki Tojo. Nazi defendants at Nuremberg