Discussion Which two countries listed in the chart had the most civilian casualties of the war, and which two had the least? Which two countries listed in the chart had the most civilian casualties of the war, and which two had the least? most: the Soviet Union and China; least: Belgium and the United Kingdom

Bombing of Cities Targets Military and Civilians Development of long-range bombers: After World War I, many leaders believed that bombing civilian populations would break a country's morale and force governments to make peace. These leaders therefore had their militaries develop longrange bombers. Development of long-range bombers: After World War I, many leaders believed that bombing civilian populations would break a country's morale and force governments to make peace. These leaders therefore had their militaries develop longrange bombers. Britain under the blitz: The British took the first heavy blows as the Germans bombed London nightly, beginning in late The bombing then spread to other British cities. Yet British morale remained high. The British moved millions of children to the countryside and even to other countries to protect them during the German blitz. Britain under the blitz: The British took the first heavy blows as the Germans bombed London nightly, beginning in late The bombing then spread to other British cities. Yet British morale remained high. The British moved millions of children to the countryside and even to other countries to protect them during the German blitz. Effects of Allied bombing of Germany: Beginning in 1942, the British conducted major bombing raids on German cities, including the ferocious bombing of Dresden. Despite huge losses, the Germans fought on, actually increasing wartime production in spite of the bombing. Effects of Allied bombing of Germany: Beginning in 1942, the British conducted major bombing raids on German cities, including the ferocious bombing of Dresden. Despite huge losses, the Germans fought on, actually increasing wartime production in spite of the bombing. U.S. air raids on Japan: Toward the end of the war, Japan was vulnerable to air raids due to losses to its air force. By 1945, many of Japan's homes and industries had been destroyed. The use of atomic bombs in August 1945 resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. U.S. air raids on Japan: Toward the end of the war, Japan was vulnerable to air raids due to losses to its air force. By 1945, many of Japan's homes and industries had been destroyed. The use of atomic bombs in August 1945 resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.

Discussion What was the intended effect of the bombing of German cities, and how effective was it? What was the intended effect of the bombing of German cities, and how effective was it? to break civilian morale and bring British victory; it was not very effective at breaking morale, even though many people were killed and property was destroyed.

Background The first air raid of the war to hit Tokyo was led by the American lieutenant colonel James H. Doolittle (1896–1993) four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Doolittle Raid, as it has become known, took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier Hornet and struck Tokyo and Nagoya. The raid did little damage, but it boosted American morale and embarrassed the Japanese. It also convinced Japanese leaders to try to eliminate American aircraft carriers, a decision that led to Japan's attack—and defeat—at Midway six weeks later. Doolittle received the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his actions. The first air raid of the war to hit Tokyo was led by the American lieutenant colonel James H. Doolittle (1896–1993) four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Doolittle Raid, as it has become known, took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier Hornet and struck Tokyo and Nagoya. The raid did little damage, but it boosted American morale and embarrassed the Japanese. It also convinced Japanese leaders to try to eliminate American aircraft carriers, a decision that led to Japan's attack—and defeat—at Midway six weeks later. Doolittle received the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his actions.

Background The B-29 Superfortress was the most formidable bombing aircraft of World War II. Along with increased range and payload capacity, it included features such as remote-controlled guns and a pressurized cabin. The Superfortress was used mainly in the Pacific theater during World War II. As many as 1,000 Superfortresses at a time bombed Tokyo, destroying much of the city. The planes also were used to carry the atomic bombs that destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The B-29 Superfortress was the most formidable bombing aircraft of World War II. Along with increased range and payload capacity, it included features such as remote-controlled guns and a pressurized cabin. The Superfortress was used mainly in the Pacific theater during World War II. As many as 1,000 Superfortresses at a time bombed Tokyo, destroying much of the city. The planes also were used to carry the atomic bombs that destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Discussion Why is World War II considered to be a better example of a total war than World War I? Why is World War II considered to be a better example of a total war than World War I? Fighting was much more widespread, economic mobilization was more extensive, and the number of civilians killed was far higher.