1. US History 2/22/2017 Agenda: Target: Entrance Ticket D-Day Notes
Video Clip
Primary Document Analysis
Target:
Students can analyze Dwight D. Eisenhower’s style, motivation, and leadership ability by studying D-Day and his writings to US soldiers

2. Entrance Ticket
With a partner, make a list of all names, dates, locations, and any other terms you associate with the D-Day invasion

3. Timeline 1931- Japan Invades Manchuria 1935- Italy Invades Ethiopia
1936- Germany and Italy sign treaty of cooperation; Germany and Japan sign anti-commintern pact; Germany re-occupies the Rhineland
1937- Japan invades China
1938- Germany takes Austria; Munich Agreement- Germany gets Sudetenland
1939- Italy Invades Albania; Germany and Soviet Union sign a Treaty of non-aggression
1939- Germany invades Poland, initiating WWII; Honoring their guarantee of Poland’s borders, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany.
1940- Germany, Italy, and Japan sign Tripartite Pact
1941- Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor, US Enters War
US troops fight in Pacific and Mediterranean Theaters
1944- D-Day; US Troops first set foot on European soil

4. D-Day
June 6, 1944

5. Who was involved in D-Day?
United States
VS.
Britain
Germany
Canada

6. Pictures of Allied bombing damage at
Before the Invasion
In the days leading up to the main invasion, Allied planes bombed the Atlantic Wall defenses all along the coast of France
Pictures of Allied bombing damage at
Pointe du Hoc, France

7. Before the Invasion
The night before the invasion, Allied troops parachuted behind enemy lines in France
They tried to destroy railroad lines and disrupt communication
General Eisenhower speaking to airborne troops on the evening before the invasion

8. Operation Quicksilver
Gen. George Patton was in charge of a fake army to distract the German’s from the true location of the invasion

9. Operation Quicksilver

10. US troops in a Higgins landing craft approaching the coast of Normandy
What Happened?
On June 6, 1944 more than 150,000 Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel
They attacked the German military along a 60 mile stretch of the coast in Normandy, France.
US troops in a Higgins landing craft approaching the coast of Normandy

11. What Happened?
British, American, and Canadian troops sailed from different ports in Great Britain and attacked the Germans together on five different beaches in Normandy, France

12. What Happened?
Soldiers faced intense opposition from the Germans when they landed

13. What Happened?
Many men were killed or injured before they even reached the beaches
US troops take shelter behind German “hedgehogs.” The obstacles were designed to prevent Allied landing craft from getting too close to the shores of France.

14. Why Did It Happen?
The Allies wanted to free France from German control
They had to first conquer the coast of France so that they could then liberate western Europe and defeat Hitler

15. How Did It Affect The War?
D-Day was the beginning of the end of the war in Europe
The Allies were able to liberate France from German control after several months of fighting

16. D-Day Footage

17. Primary Document Analysis 1
Who is Eisenhower addressing in his Order of the Day?
What words and phrases does Eisenhower use to convey the idea of teamwork?
If he is trying to motivate the troops, why does he say, “Your task will not be an easy one”?
What is the importance of honesty in communication?
What historical information about WWII can you learn from studying this document?

18. Primary Document Analysis 2
6. After reading Eisenhower’s D-Day failure message, describe his concept of taking responsibility.
7. Why do you think Eisenhower gives so little information about the attempted invasion?
8. What historical information about D-Day can you learn from studying this document?
9. Describe Eisenhower’s personality based solely on these two documents.
10. What other primary sources of information would you want to have to create a fuller description of Eisenhower?