The World at War:The World at War:World War IIWorld War II

Part 2Part 2

Turning PointsTurning Points In early 1943 the Allies had begun the final push In early 1943 the Allies had begun the final push

to defeat the Axis Powers. to defeat the Axis Powers. Victories during the winter of 1942-43 brought Victories during the winter of 1942-43 brought

the Allies closer to their goal.the Allies closer to their goal. Battle of StalingradBattle of Stalingrad-a fierce struggle between -a fierce struggle between

German and Soviet forces. Soviet forces German and Soviet forces. Soviet forces surrounded and cut off supplies to German troops surrounded and cut off supplies to German troops who in the center of the city.who in the center of the city.

The Axis Powers lost some 200,000 troops in the The Axis Powers lost some 200,000 troops in the battle of Stalingrad; they battle of Stalingrad; they surrendered in Jan. 1943.surrendered in Jan. 1943.

D-DayD-Day Operation Overlord, called for a massive landing Operation Overlord, called for a massive landing

on the beaches of Normandy, in northwestern on the beaches of Normandy, in northwestern France. France.

On the morning of June 6, 1944, known as On the morning of June 6, 1944, known as D-DayD-Day, , Allied soldiers finally landed in Normandy.Allied soldiers finally landed in Normandy.

Hundreds of warships off the coast tried to Hundreds of warships off the coast tried to protect them by providing a cover of artillery fire.protect them by providing a cover of artillery fire.

D-Day was the largest sea-and-land invasion in D-Day was the largest sea-and-land invasion in history.history.

Eisenhower and Paratroopers

D-Day D-Day [6-6-44][6-6-44]

The Americans and British faced fierce German The Americans and British faced fierce German resistance on the beaches of France.resistance on the beaches of France.

By the end of D-day, the Allies had gained a By the end of D-day, the Allies had gained a foothold and landed more than 155,000 troops.foothold and landed more than 155,000 troops.

Turning PointsTurning Points Omar BradleyOmar Bradley and and George S. PattonGeorge S. Patton

help lead the Allies to liberate help lead the Allies to liberate France. France.

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

The Allies began to push through Belgium The Allies began to push through Belgium and France toward Germany.and France toward Germany.

Hitler refused to surrender.Hitler refused to surrender. In Dec. 1944, he made a desperate In Dec. 1944, he made a desperate

attempt to split the advancing Allied attempt to split the advancing Allied armies.armies.

The Germans launched an offensive in the The Germans launched an offensive in the Ardennes, a forest region defended by just Ardennes, a forest region defended by just a few U.S. divisions.a few U.S. divisions.

Hitler hoped to recapture Antwerp, Hitler hoped to recapture Antwerp, Belgium, the Allies major supply port.Belgium, the Allies major supply port.

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge On Dec. 16, some 25 divisions of the German On Dec. 16, some 25 divisions of the German

army attacked in the heavy snow.army attacked in the heavy snow. Surprised, outnumbered, and without air support, Surprised, outnumbered, and without air support,

the Americans fought bravely in the the Americans fought bravely in the Battle of the Battle of the BulgeBulge. .

U.S. losses were heavy-some 77,000 casualties, U.S. losses were heavy-some 77,000 casualties, but the Americans slowed the German offensive. but the Americans slowed the German offensive.

As 1945 began, the Soviet armies were pushing As 1945 began, the Soviet armies were pushing toward Berlin, Germany’s capital from the east. toward Berlin, Germany’s capital from the east. U.S. and British troops were preparing to cross U.S. and British troops were preparing to cross the Rhine intothe Rhine intoGermany from the west. Germany from the west.

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific

Japan had rapidly advanced across the Japan had rapidly advanced across the Pacific following the attack on Pearl Harbor.Pacific following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Under General Under General Hideki TojoHideki Tojo, Japan conquered , Japan conquered Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Burma, and Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Burma, and Indonesia.Indonesia.

After Pearl Harbor, Japan took U.S. After Pearl Harbor, Japan took U.S. landholdings of Guam, Wake Island, Aleutian landholdings of Guam, Wake Island, Aleutian Islands (Kiska and Attu) and the Philippines. Islands (Kiska and Attu) and the Philippines.

Japan Advances across the Japan Advances across the PacificPacific

When the Japanese captured the capital of When the Japanese captured the capital of the Philippines, Manila, they forced their the Philippines, Manila, they forced their enemy troops on the enemy troops on the Bataan Death MarchBataan Death March..

The Japanese marched more than 70,000 The Japanese marched more than 70,000 Americans and Filipinos, many of whom Americans and Filipinos, many of whom were sick and wounded, to prison camps.were sick and wounded, to prison camps.

The Japanese treated the prisoners harshly The Japanese treated the prisoners harshly during their 65-mile forced march up the during their 65-mile forced march up the peninsula. peninsula.

Between 400 and 1,000 Americans died Between 400 and 1,000 Americans died and about 10,000 Filipinos died. and about 10,000 Filipinos died.

Halting Japan’s AdvanceHalting Japan’s Advance

Admiral Admiral Chester NimitzChester Nimitz, commander of the U.S. , commander of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, had an important, top secret Navy in the Pacific, had an important, top secret advantage against the Japanese.advantage against the Japanese.

Navy experts cracked the Japanese naval code Navy experts cracked the Japanese naval code and could read secret Japanese messages.and could read secret Japanese messages.

Nimitz knew that the Japanese were Nimitz knew that the Japanese were

planning to invade Port Moresby, planning to invade Port Moresby,

New Guinea. New Guinea.

Halting Japan’s AdvanceHalting Japan’s Advance In May 1942, Nimitz sent an Allied fleet to attack In May 1942, Nimitz sent an Allied fleet to attack

the Japanese invasion force.the Japanese invasion force. Battle of the Coral SeaBattle of the Coral Sea, U.S. planes sank one , U.S. planes sank one

Japanese carrier and damaged another.Japanese carrier and damaged another. U.S. carrier U.S. carrier LexingtonLexington was sunk; was sunk; YorktownYorktown was was

damaged.damaged. The Allies for the first time had turned back the The Allies for the first time had turned back the

Japanese advance.Japanese advance.

Halting Japan’s AdvanceHalting Japan’s Advance

Japanese forces hoped to seize the Midway Japanese forces hoped to seize the Midway Islands, located northwest of Hawaii.Islands, located northwest of Hawaii.

The The Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway took place June 3 - 6, 1942. took place June 3 - 6, 1942. It was a battle of carrier-based airplanes. It was a battle of carrier-based airplanes.

Japanese and U.S. warplanes fought in the air, Japanese and U.S. warplanes fought in the air, trying to sink each other’s aircraft carriers.trying to sink each other’s aircraft carriers.

The U.S. Navy had crippled the Japanese navy by The U.S. Navy had crippled the Japanese navy by sinking four of its carriers, while only losing one.sinking four of its carriers, while only losing one.

After Midway, the Japanese navy was on the After Midway, the Japanese navy was on the defensive for the rest of the war.defensive for the rest of the war.

Halting Japan’s AdvanceHalting Japan’s Advance The Allies turned to Guadalcanal, one of the The Allies turned to Guadalcanal, one of the

Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific.Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific. From this island, Japanese forces could threaten From this island, Japanese forces could threaten

the important sea link b/w Australia and the U.S.the important sea link b/w Australia and the U.S. The fighting took place on land, sea, and in the The fighting took place on land, sea, and in the

air.air.

The Allies won control of the island in early 1943.The Allies won control of the island in early 1943.

Taking the OffensiveTaking the Offensive The Allies planned to conquer one Pacific island The Allies planned to conquer one Pacific island

after another, landing after another, landing onlyonly on the most important on the most important islands.islands.

This strategy, called This strategy, called island-hoppingisland-hopping, would help the , would help the Allies gain new bases.Allies gain new bases.

From these bases, the Allies could bomb and later From these bases, the Allies could bomb and later invade Japan.invade Japan.

This campaign began in late 1943.This campaign began in late 1943. U.S. planes began bombing the main islands of U.S. planes began bombing the main islands of

Japan. Japan. U.S. submarines were attacking Japanese cargo U.S. submarines were attacking Japanese cargo

ships, cutting off the flow of raw materials to Japan.ships, cutting off the flow of raw materials to Japan.

Taking the OffensiveTaking the Offensive General MacArthur planned to take back the General MacArthur planned to take back the

Philippines.Philippines. In Oct. 1944, Japanese and U.S. forces met at the In Oct. 1944, Japanese and U.S. forces met at the

Battle of Leyte GulfBattle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in , the largest naval battle in history.history.

Both sides suffered heavy losses; however, the Both sides suffered heavy losses; however, the Allies came out victorious.Allies came out victorious.

This greatly reduced the strength of the Japanese This greatly reduced the strength of the Japanese

fleet.fleet.

Closer to JapanCloser to Japan U.S. bombers hit targets in Japan during U.S. bombers hit targets in Japan during

massive nighttime raids.massive nighttime raids. These attacks caused great damage; These attacks caused great damage;

fire storm in Tokyo.fire storm in Tokyo. As Allied forces got closer to Japan, they As Allied forces got closer to Japan, they

faced some of the fiercest fighting of WWII. faced some of the fiercest fighting of WWII. Incredibly heavy losses Incredibly heavy losses

were suffered at were suffered at Iwo JimaIwo Jima. .

Closer to JapanCloser to Japan In the battle of Okinawa, the Japanese In the battle of Okinawa, the Japanese

airforce used a deadly tactic involving airforce used a deadly tactic involving crashing piloted planes into Allied ships.crashing piloted planes into Allied ships.

Many of these Many of these kamikazekamikaze planes found their planes found their targets. targets.

With the fall of Okinawa, Allied leaders With the fall of Okinawa, Allied leaders looked to attack Japan for final victory. looked to attack Japan for final victory.

Final Victory and Final Victory and ConsequencesConsequences

Victory in Europe came 11 months after Victory in Europe came 11 months after D-Day.D-Day.

The Allies had bombed Germany The Allies had bombed Germany heavily during the final months of WWII.heavily during the final months of WWII.

These bombing raids were intended to These bombing raids were intended to destroy Germany’s ability to make destroy Germany’s ability to make weapons but also killed many civilians.weapons but also killed many civilians.

Victory in EuropeVictory in Europe By mid-March 1945, British and U.S. forces By mid-March 1945, British and U.S. forces

had crossed the Rhine and were advancing had crossed the Rhine and were advancing east toward Berlin.east toward Berlin.

The Soviets pushed west toward the city.The Soviets pushed west toward the city. On April 12, 1945, President Roosevelt On April 12, 1945, President Roosevelt

died of a stroke and vice-president died of a stroke and vice-president Harry Harry S. TrumanS. Truman took over as the new president. took over as the new president.

On April 30, Hitler committed suicide.On April 30, Hitler committed suicide. On May 8, 1945 was declared V-E day. On May 8, 1945 was declared V-E day.

The war was officially over in Europe.The war was officially over in Europe.

Victory in the PacificVictory in the Pacific

The war with Japan was coming to a The war with Japan was coming to a close.close.

Allied leaders feared that the final Allied leaders feared that the final invasion of Japan would result in great invasion of Japan would result in great loss of life.loss of life.

Since 1942, scientists had been working Since 1942, scientists had been working to develop an to develop an atomic bombatomic bomb, a weapon , a weapon the produced great destructive power by the produced great destructive power by releasing the force of splitting atoms.releasing the force of splitting atoms.

Victory in the PacificVictory in the Pacific The The Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project was a huge effort to was a huge effort to

develop an atomic bomb. The project employed develop an atomic bomb. The project employed some 600,000 people; it was headed by Dr. some 600,000 people; it was headed by Dr. Robert Oppenheimer.Robert Oppenheimer.

World-class scientists worked at a top-secret World-class scientists worked at a top-secret facility in Los Alamos, New Mexico.facility in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

The project cost some $2 billion. The project cost some $2 billion. On July 16, 1945, scientists exploded On July 16, 1945, scientists exploded

the the world’s first atomic bomb in world’s first atomic bomb in New Mexico.New Mexico.

Victory in the PacificVictory in the Pacific When Japan did not surrender after the When Japan did not surrender after the

demand of the Potsdam Conference, President demand of the Potsdam Conference, President Harry Truman gave the order to use the Harry Truman gave the order to use the atomic bomb.atomic bomb.

On August 6, 1945, the B-29 bomber On August 6, 1945, the B-29 bomber Enola Enola GayGay flew over the Japanese city of Hiroshima flew over the Japanese city of Hiroshima and dropped the first atomic bomb used in and dropped the first atomic bomb used in warfare.warfare.

In an instant, the atomic bomb blast killed In an instant, the atomic bomb blast killed between70,000 and 80,000 people. between70,000 and 80,000 people.

Thousands more died later from Thousands more died later from

serious burns and radiation poisoning. serious burns and radiation poisoning.

HiroshimaAugust 6, 1945

Victory in the PacificVictory in the Pacific Japanese leaders still did not surrender. Japanese leaders still did not surrender. On Aug. 9, U.S. forces dropped a second On Aug. 9, U.S. forces dropped a second

atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki.atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki. On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan surrendered On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan surrendered

unconditionally.unconditionally.

The Costs of the WarThe Costs of the War WWII finally came to an end after nearly six years of fighting.WWII finally came to an end after nearly six years of fighting. Some 50 million people had died, more than half civilians.Some 50 million people had died, more than half civilians. Millions more were injured or left suffering from disease or Millions more were injured or left suffering from disease or

lack of food.lack of food. The war ruined national economies. Food production, The war ruined national economies. Food production,

industry, and transportation networks were destroyed in industry, and transportation networks were destroyed in many areas.many areas.

Millions of people found themselves homeless, lacking even Millions of people found themselves homeless, lacking even the basic needs of food, fuel, shelter, and water.the basic needs of food, fuel, shelter, and water.

Large cities lay in ruins. Large cities lay in ruins. Much of the world’s great art and architecture was lost Much of the world’s great art and architecture was lost

forever.forever. The U.S. escaped the physical destruction the Europe and The U.S. escaped the physical destruction the Europe and

Asia suffered.Asia suffered. U.S. economy emerged from the war more powerful than U.S. economy emerged from the war more powerful than

ever.ever. Much of the cost of the rebuilding efforts after the war would Much of the cost of the rebuilding efforts after the war would

fall to the U.S.fall to the U.S.

The HolocaustThe Holocaust

The The HolocaustHolocaust was the attempt by Hitler and was the attempt by Hitler and the Nazis to murder the Jews of Europe.the Nazis to murder the Jews of Europe.

Soon after taking power in Germany in Soon after taking power in Germany in 1933, the Nazis had written new laws for 1933, the Nazis had written new laws for German Jews.German Jews.

They were stripped of their civil rights, jobs, They were stripped of their civil rights, jobs, and property.and property.

Many Jews were imprisoned in concentration Many Jews were imprisoned in concentration camps, such as Auschwitz and Dachau. camps, such as Auschwitz and Dachau.

The Nazis looked for ways to eliminate the The Nazis looked for ways to eliminate the Jewish population.Jewish population.

The HolocaustThe Holocaust Nazis forced Jews to live in isolated urban areas known as

ghettos.

The HolocaustThe Holocaust

The Nazis decided on a “final solution” to the The Nazis decided on a “final solution” to the Jewish problem.Jewish problem.

GenocideGenocide is the deliberate murder of an entire is the deliberate murder of an entire people.people.

The Nazis planned to kill the Jews in specially The Nazis planned to kill the Jews in specially built death camps across Europe.built death camps across Europe.

These camps were equipped with gas chambers These camps were equipped with gas chambers designed to kill great numbers of people cheaply designed to kill great numbers of people cheaply and efficiently.and efficiently.

The camps also had special furnaces to burn the The camps also had special furnaces to burn the remains of the dead.remains of the dead.

The HolocaustThe Holocaust People were packed shoulder-to-shoulder in railroad People were packed shoulder-to-shoulder in railroad

boxcars on the forced trip to labor camps.boxcars on the forced trip to labor camps. Nazi officers sorted the arriving Jews by age, sex, and Nazi officers sorted the arriving Jews by age, sex, and

health, often tearing families apart.health, often tearing families apart. The physically fit Jews went to work as slave laborers The physically fit Jews went to work as slave laborers

in camp factories.in camp factories. Other prisoners went directly to the gas chambers. Other prisoners went directly to the gas chambers.

These victims were often women, children, elderly, These victims were often women, children, elderly, sick, and weak.sick, and weak.

Some 6 million Jews had been murdered or had died Some 6 million Jews had been murdered or had died from the conditions in the camps.from the conditions in the camps.

This number equaled about 2/3 of all Jews living in This number equaled about 2/3 of all Jews living in Europe before the war. Europe before the war.

Most surviving European Jews emigrated from Europe Most surviving European Jews emigrated from Europe after the Nazi defeat.after the Nazi defeat.