1. The War Ends Lesson 4

2. Battle of the Bulge Hitler’s goal was to cut off supplies for the Allies Began December 16, 1944 As Germans hurried west their lines ‘bulged’ – that’s where battle gets its name U.S. won the battle Germans suffered 100,000 casualties

3. War ends in Europe American/British troops seek to liberate France Soviet’s drove German troops out of Soviet Union & were 35 miles from Berlin. March 7, American troops cross Rhine river – Germany’s last line of defense April 30, 1945 with the end near Hitler commits suicide On May 7, 1945 Germany accepts unconditional surrender. Next day, May 8, 1945, is known as V-E Day, for “Victory in Europe”

4. Harry S. Truman becomes President Before defeat of Germany on April 12, 1945, FDR died of a stroke. Vice President, Harry S. Truman, became President. Truman would face very important decisions in his first six months in office.

5. Battle of Iwo Jima November 24, 1944, bombs dropped on Tokyo. Many bombs missed their targets The bombers would need to refuel so military planners chose Iwo Jima Iwo Jima geographically would be tough to take Rocky cliffs, ravines, rugged terrain, dormant volcano February 19, 1945, 60,000 marines landed on Iwo Jima Almost 7,000 died

6. Firebombing Japan Use of napalm Jellied gasoline was very tough to put out Bombs would explode & start fires to make sure & hit target Controversy Fires killed civilians Killed more than 80,000 people Destroyed 250,000 buildings

7. Invasion of Okinawa Many believed Japan would not quit unless Japan was invaded Military planners chose to take over the island of Okinawa – closer to Japan than Iwo Jima Troops landed April 1, 1945 Japanese troops hid in caves & mountains More than 12,000 Americans died taking the island June 22, 1945 Okinawa was taken

8. Terms for Surrender Japan’s emperor wanted to find a way to end the war U.S. demanded an unconditional surrender Many Japanese were willing to surrender IF Hirohito stayed in power Americans blamed him for the Pacific war & wanted him removed from power Truman had a secret weapon though that might make them surrender unconditionally

9. The Manhattan Project U.S. was worried that the Germans were developing a new bomb – one that could cause great damage So FDR set up a scientific committee to look at the issue FDR in 1941 began a program to build an atomic bomb – code named Manhattan Project July 16, 1945, U.S. detonated the world’s first atomic bomb in New Mexico

10. Debate to drop the bomb After the bomb was successfully detonated there was debate on how to use it Many feared civilian deaths would be tremendous There were many thoughts on how to make Japan surrender Economic blockade & continued bombing Warn them about the atomic bomb Go ahead and use the bomb as a military weapon

11. Hiroshima President Truman viewed the bomb as a ‘military weapon’ Truman was warned of massive casualties if Japan was invaded Allies threatened Japan with “prompt & utter destruction” if they didn’t surrender August 6, 1945, “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima – an important industrial city Bomb destroyed 63% of the city. 80,000 – 120,000 people died instantly. Thousands more later burns & radiation

12. Nagasaki 3 days later, August 9, 1945, Soviet Union declared war on Japan On that same day, “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki Killed 35,000 to 74,000 people Hirohito ordered his government to surrender August 15, 1945, “V-J Day” marked the end of the war against Japan

13. Decision to drop the bomb Read pg. 506 – Analyzing Primary Sources In your notes write a 3 sentence paragraph on whether you think it was the right decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.

14. Nuremburg Trials August 1945 the U.S., France, & Soviet Union met to punish German & Japanese leaders for war crimes 22 German leaders were prosecuted 3 acquitted, 7 sent to prison, 12 sentenced to death Trials of other leaders continued until April 1949 24 more were executed, 107 sent to prison

15. Nuremburg Trials cont’d Similar trials held in Tokyo, Japan 25 Japanese leaders were convicted The trials punished people for the Holocaust & World War II