1. WWII – What you need to know
Major Events of World War II

2. Major Events of WWII Pre US Involvement
1939 Japan is expanding in Asia, Germany invades Poland, WWII begins
By 1940 Germany controls most of Europe
Battle of Britain
USSR is neutral
Early 1941 USSR invaded, US begins Lend Lease, Japan threatening Philippines

3. December 5, 1941

4. Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941 Q: What was attacked?
A: US naval base in Hawaii
Q: Why was it attacked?
A: US had cut off sales of fuel / raw materials to Japan. In response, Japan was going to attack Malaysia and the Philippines. This was clearly going to get the US involved, this was an attempt to cripple them first.
Q: What was the result?
A: Shocked, angered Americans, US joins war.

6. Once US is in… then what?
War in Pacific: US loses territory, Guam, Wake Island, Philippines
Philippines – Main US possession in Pacific,
MacArthur leaves Philippines vowing, “I shall return”
Last US forces in Philippines surrender: Bataan Death March

7. February 13, 1942

9. Battle of Midway Summer 1942 – US strikes back
Major naval battle, cripples Japanese fleet
Pacific War becomes “Island Hopping” campaign: amphibious landings, jungle warfare
Major Island Hopping Battles = Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa
Japanese Warrior Code = death before surrender

11. General Patton
General Eisenhower

12. Air war based from England – firebombing of German cities
Russia pressuring US to invade France
El Alamein, turns tide in N. Africa
Stalingrad, turns tide in USSR
Invasion of Sicily, first American fighting in mainland Europe
War in Europe

13. D-Day (Operation Overlord)
June 6, 1944
Largest amphibious landing ever
Difficulty of invasion
Use of espionage
Success at Normandy leads to “toe hold” in Europe
Battle of the Bulge – last German Offensive

15. Yalta Conference Feb 1945 “Big Three” devise end of war strategy
Allow Soviets to take Berlin
Sets up Cold War
Why did US give in to USSR?
Help in Pacific War
V-E day (May 8, 1945) and the discovery of the camps

17. Wedding Rings from Executed Prisoners at Aushwitz

20. End of War in Pacific
Island hopping has been successful, but very costly
Faced with prospect of invading Japan, US wants help
Truman becomes President, learns of Manhattan Project
August 1945 atomic bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Japan Surrenders – War is over
(V-J Day Aug 14-15; Sept 2, 1945)

21. The BOMB Truman is new President Conflict with Soviets re: Europe
Bloodbaths in island hopping
Enola Gay, Little Boy, Fat Man
Hiroshima, Nagasaki
100k Dead each
Surrender

23. May 2, 1942

24. June 24, 1942

25. June 30, 1942