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

2. Depression Leads to War
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

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

4. 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.

5. The Allies and the U.S.
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

6. U.S. Enters WW2
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.

7. Texans Respond: Miller, Ike, and Nimitz
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.

8. Texans Respond: Murphy and Dealey
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

9. Texas Women 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

10. The Army Trains in Texas
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

11. Texas Prisoner of War Camps
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