Texas During World War II Unit 11 Ch. 23 Section 1

WWII Begins The Great Depression of the 1930s hit countries in Europe as well as the U.S. During this time, many European countries saw dictators take over their governments. Military leaders In Germany, Italy and Japan began wars of expansion. Axis Powers formed

Adolf Hitler (Germany) Hirohito (Japan) Benito Mussolini (Italy)

World War II Begins 1939: Germany invaded Poland. England and France both declared war on Germany—WW2 begins. Axis Powers quickly conquers neighboring countries in Europe and SE Asia.

The U.S. and WWII The Allied were the nations at war with the Axis Powers. The Allies included England, China, France, and Russia Officially, the United States was neutral, but provided military equipment for the Allies through the “Lend-Lease Act” There was a lot of debate in the U.S. about whether or not to join the war (most are against it)…U.S. will be neutral for 2 years

The U.S. and WWII America’s neutrality ended on December 7, 1941, when Japanese planes bombed the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The next day President Roosevelt asks the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war against Japan.

Texans Respond Doris Miller, an African American sailor from Waco, received the Navy Cross for firing at Japanese airplanes during the Pearl Harbor attack. General Dwight D. Eisenhower (aka Ike) from Denison commanded Allied forces in Europe. Admiral Chester Nimitz of Fredericksburg commanded the Allied forces in the Pacific.

Texans Respond Audie Murphy of Kingston received more medals than any other American; becomes successful movie actor Commander Samuel D. Dealey of Dallas was “most decorated man” of U.S. Navy

Texans Respond Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) – organized by Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby Women’s Air Service Pilots (WASPs) trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater; ferried aircraft Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) – exclusive women’s group for U.S. Naval Reserve

Texas in WWII Texas’s favorable climate, location b/w two coasts, and wide open spaces made it ideal for military bases More than 100 bases built Soldiers, sailors, and airmen came from everywhere to train

Texas in WWII Thousands of Germans, Italians, and Japanese soldiers captured in battle were housed in more than 20 camps Prisoners worked performing agricultural tasks Some Japanese and German Americans were held in “ family internment camps” for their own safety