1. Latter Years of the War

2. Turning Points By the beginning of 1943, battle begins to turn against the Axis Powers Allies cross the Mediterranean and carry war onto Italy -> Soft Underbelly Allies begin invasion of the mainland of Italy in September

3. Euro Theater Sicily falls, Mussolini is arrested by King Victor Emmanuel III Allies break through defenses and seize Rome on June 4, 1944 War in Italy deemed “secondary” and wanted to open second front in Europe

4. D- Day Allies had planned an invasion of France across English Channel June 6, 1944 Allies land on beaches or Normandy under Dwight D. Eisenhower Germany responds slowly Allies land 2 million in new front with new front

8. Allied Advancement Paris is liberated by 1944 Germans look to launch counter offensive and regain territory in Belgium Battle of the Bulge -> named for the “bulge” the German attack causes in American lines

10. Why is the Normandy Invasion considered to be a turning point in the War?

11. The War in Europe Ends With the Soviets sweeping in from the East and South Allied forces also advance into Nazi Europe Begin to liberate concentration camps and death camps Nazi effort to destroy evidence unsuccessful Allies see them and serves as crimes against humanity Hitler commits suicide on April 30 -> Germany Surrenders May 7, 1945

13. The Asian Theater War in the Pacific continues U.S. Forces continue their island hopping campaign Beginning of 1945 -> Acquire Iwo Jima and Okinawa Each seizure essential for strategic importance

14. Pacific Casualties Casualties in the Pacific serve as a great cost President Henry S. Truman comes to office following FDR’s passing Posed with difficult decision Manhattan Project -> top secret development of the atomic bomb. Drop the bomb? Invade Japan and risk further casualties

17. Atomic Bomb Truman makes executive decision to drop bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombs are dropped three days apart Devastation leads emperor Hirohito to unconditionally surrender to the Allies on Aug. 14, 1945 WWII is finally over, estimated total casualties -> 60 million

18. Peace and a New War

19. The Cold War Period of political tensions following the Allied Victory of WWII Ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union The Cold War will dominate world affairs up until the end of the 1980’s

20. The Big Three Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill leaders of the Grand Alliance Meet at Yalta in 1945 when German defeat is assured Western Powers now face reality of Soviets taking possession of Eastern and much of central Europe

21. Stalin Very suspicious of the western powers Wants a Soviet buffer to help protect from future western aggression Establishes Pro-Soviet governments along the USSR’s boarders. FDR supports self-determination in Europe ->

22. United Nations Establishment is a primary American Concern First meeting in San Francisco in 1945 Big Three agrees to divide Germany into 4 zones -> Free elections in Poland -> The issue of free election causes serious split between U.S. and U.S.S.R

23. Potsdam Conference July 1945 -> increases feelings of mistrust Truman demands free elections in Eastern Europe Stalin feels free elections would lead to anti-soviet governments-> Cant Allow Stalin sought absolute security for the soviets Nothing short of western invasion would stop Stalin in Eastern Europe