1. America and World War II
Chapter 12
America
and
World War II

2. Essays – Chapter 12
What were some of the difficulties the Allies faced when planning OPERATION OVERLORD? How did they attempt to overcome these difficulties?
What kind of discrimination did minorities in the military experience? (give specific examples) How did the situation change for some minorities as the war progressed?
Describe how the US developed its ultimate weapon (MANHATTAN PROJECT). What reaction did the scientists have to their creation? What reaction did the world have when the US dropped the bomb?

3. Building up the Military
When Hitler invaded Poland, FDR began building up the US military
When France surrendered to Germany, Congress approved the draft (1st peacetime draft ever)
YOURE IN THE ARMY NOW
60,000+ will enlist in the month after Pearl Harbor
This overwhelmed the US training capacity
New bases had to be opened
Many lived in tents rather than barracks for a long time
Recruits came from all over the country and the training not only got them ready for combat but united them as soldiers

4. A Segregated Military
The Military segregated (or separated) troops by race
Pushing for “DOUBLE V”
Some African Americans did not want to support the war or the country that treated them like 2nd class citizens - DISENFRANCHISED
But most wanted to fight against racism, both in Europe and for themselves
African Americans in Combat
Under pressure, FDR ordered the military to recruit African Americans and put them into combat
Tuskegee Airmen were the 1st African American fighter wing trained. They flew over 200 missions and never lost a bomber
Other Minorities: POD assignment (p ) read, take notes, share what other minority groups experienced and did in the military

5. Other Minorities
Japanese Americans served in Europe even when they were being forced into “INTERNMENT CAMPS on the west coast
Hispanic Americans will volunteer in large numbers despite discrimination
Native American served as “CODE TALKERS” again even when they were forced to live on reservations
Jewish Americans will serve in war and become leaders of the Jewish community after the war because the Holocaust killed so many
Segregation did not end in the military officially until 1948, but the outstanding service of various minorities when a long way in proving they were equals on all levels

6. Women Join the Military
The Army enlisted women for the first time but barred them from combat (WAC’s)
Most jobs for women freed men up for combat (clerical, transportation, etc)
Coast Guard, Name and marines followed suit and set up women’s units
Another 68,000 served as nurses in the Army and Navy
300 women served as pilots delivering planes

7. American Economy during World War II
Fighting a war depending on INDUSTY and the US was uniquely able to increase output
CONVERTING THE ECONOMY
War production rapidly increased after Pearl Harbor
FDR believed gov’t and business had to work together
National Defense Advisory Committee created to coordinate war production. Leading business leaders were asked to help
“Cost-plus” contracts sped up production and convinced many companies to convert to war production

8. American Industry gets the job done
By the summer of 1942, US industry in full war mode
TANKS REPLACE CARS
Automobile industry ideal for mass producing military trucks, jeep, tanks. Will produce 1/3 all wartime equipment
Also produced rifles, helmets, artillery etc
Ford retooled to build the enormous B-24 liberator bomber
Will build 8,600 aircraft in 3 years
BUILDING LIBERTY SHIPS
Kaiser’s shipyards will surpass them all
Before the war, it took 244 days to build a “liberty ship”
Kaiser will cut that down to 41 days
Kaiser will build 30% of all military ships during the war

9. Life on the Home Front Life in the US will change dramatically
Unlike Europe, which lived with the devastation of war, the US actually benefitted
Mobilizing the economy finally ended the Great Depression, with 19 million new jobs
The average household’s income nearly doubled
Families did have to move to go to these new jobs
Housing was difficult/cheap
Prejudice was horrible
Goods were rationed and taxes were high

10. POD Assignment (20-30 minutes)
In your pod, each of you will read p
Take notes on your sheet while you read
HOW DID EACH MINORITY GROUP CONTRIBUTE TO THE WAR EFFORT AT HOME?
When done reading, discuss the 3 minority groups (women, African Americans, Mexican farm workers)
Compare notes – be ready to discuss with the class
TEACHER – call on students randomly and ask how each of these groups contributed to the war effort at home

11. Life on the Home Front Women in the Defense Plants
During the GD, women expected to stay home, leave jobs for men
But during the war, women were needed in war factories (2.5 million)
Also worked for government in offices (4 million)
At end of war, most women will voluntarily leave jobs, but perception of women had permanently changed
African Americans Demand War Work
Executive Order 8802 – no discrimination in factories getting government contracts
Many factories then recruited African American workers – Boeing/Seattle
Mexican Farm Workers
BRACERO program – deal with Mexican government for workers to come to US and work in the agricultural fields
20,000+ will come to US and aid in food production
Migrant workers became and are still HUGELY important to the SW food industry

12. Rosie the Riveter

13. A Nation on the Move
Millions of jobs created, Americans move to go to jobs
New industrial regions created – South & Southwest
Congress authorized $150 million for housing and FDR created the NHA (Nat’l Housing Agency) to coordinate
Racism will increase as minorities move into mostly white regions for jobs
Detroit Riots – city wide riots when African American and white teens clashed – 34 dead (25 black, 9 white)
Zoot Suit Riots – clashes between Hispanic “zoot suiters” and sailors led to riots in LA

14. Relocation Japanese, German and Italian
After Pearl Harbor – FDR signed an order that allowed the US military to declare any part of the US a military zone
4 days after Pearl Harbor, Japanese sub will shell an oil refinery in CA
Most of west coast declared a military zone
People of Japanese descent were ordered “interned”
(This Was Life for Japanese-Americans During WWII – youtube)
Supreme Court ruled it OK (later overturned themselves)
1,000’s of people of German/Italian descent also had their freedoms restricted (“enemy aliens”) – they were subject to travel restrictions, seizure of property
More than 5,000 will be arrested and “interned” in camps for the duration of the war

15. Daily Life in Wartime
Wages and prices began to rise as soon as the war began because of the high demand for labor and goods
Government created agencies to oversea the economy. They regulated wages and prices through out the war
OPACS (Office of Price Admin. And Civilian Supply)
OES (Office of Economic Stabilization)
WLB (War Labor Board) – mediated wage disputes/prevent strikes

16. Support and Sacrifices
Rationing – (Newsreel: A look back at food rationing during World War II)
OPACS rationed key strategic materials
Each family received a “coupon book” for different foods
Coffee, meat, sugar, etc
Gas rationed, speed restricted, miles driven restricted
Victory Gardens – people grew food where they could
Vegetables were canned for later
Drives – tin, rubber, aluminum and steel
Taxes and War Bonds
Higher taxes – government collected only 45% of cost of war
War Bonds – sold to “loan” the government money for the war

17. Hollywood goes to War
OWI (Office of War Information) used to improve the public’s understanding of war and its role
Filmmakers asked “Does this help the US win the war” when they were making movies
Movies made with a very PRO-US and anti-German slant
Youtube (1942 the ductators)

18. Political Cartoons 1. Identify Images 2. Read words
What do you think the author/artist is trying to get across to the
reader?

19. War with Japan
The attack on Pearl Harbor crippled the US’s ability to slow Japan down
FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES
A few hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked the Philippines
Badly outnumbers, US and Filipino troops lost control
Retreating the Bataan Peninsula, General D. MacArthur help on for 3 months
Realizing the capture of an American general would hurt moral, MacArthur ordered to leave “I shall return”
Troops finally surrendered and were forced to march 65 miles without food or water – THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH (youtube video)
78,000 set off on the march – 15,000 died
Captured nurses and civilians were held captive for the remainder of the war

20. Doolittle Raid FDR needed to raise moral after Pearl Harbor
He wanted to bomb Tokyo in retaliation
Japanese ships kept the US aircraft carriers too far away
Decision was made to use longer range bombers (which could take off but not land on carriers)
After bombing Tokyo, they would land in China
On April 18, bombs fell on Japan for the first time
Huge boost for America – we had returned fire

21. Japan changes Strategy
Japan had planned to cut off American supplies to Australia but after the Tokyo bombing, they wanted revenge
Midway Islands were the last US base in the Pacific. Japan believed it they attacked there, it would lure the US into battle. Japan believed they could finish the US Navy off, once and for all
Also, planned attack on New Guinea (to cut off supplies to Australia)
US had broken Japan’s code and learned of the attack
2 carriers sent – 1st all-air battle – Japan able to sink 1 carrier and damage the other
But the US prevented the Japanese from taking New Guinea
Australia would be used as base for entire war

22. Navajo Code Talkers Radios used to communicate, easy to intercept
Navajo (unwritten) language used to pass messages
Only Navajo could speak/understand
This was kept an ABSOUTE secret for over 40 years
In 2001 Congress awarded the Navajo Code Talkers the Congressional Gold Medal for their unique contributions during the war

24. Battle of Midway
6 months after Pearl Harbor, the US (ability to crack the Japanese code) learned that Japan planned to attack Midway Island
Admiral Nimitz planned to ambush the Japanese
The Americans had been able to repair the damage to more ships than the Japanese thought
Within minutes of the attack beginning, 3 Japanese carriers were burning/sinking
The Battle of Midway was the turning point for the Japanese. It was their last OFFENSE attack
From here on, the US was pushing Japan back

25. Driving Japan Back
Island Hopping – 1,000’s of islands were controlled by the Japanese
The US Marines carried out a new plan – island hopping
Cut off supplies by bypassing several islands and attacking where the Japanese were not ready
Build and airstrip on the island
Jump ahead several islands and repeat
The Japanese fighters were fanatical – high losses
As the US controlled islands nearer to Japan, it was able to begin bombing the mainlands of Japan

26. MacArthur Returns
Philippines were a key island to control (both tactically and morally)
MacArthur led the charge to retake the Philippines (the island nation he had been pushed off of) which was more than 600 miles ahead of the lines
700 ships amasses along with 160,000 troops
Japan defended the Philippines with everything they could use – last stop before the home islands
KAMIKAZI fighters used for the first time (much to the US’s amazement)
Battle for the Philippines will be costly
100,000 Filipino fighers will die
Many Japanese fighters will retreat into the forests and will fight long after the surrender of Japan

27. War in Europe Halting the Germans
Stalin demanded the Allies (England and US) attack Germany to create a 2 front war
Churchill did not believe they were ready, convinced FDR to attack the Nazi’s strategic locations
NORTH AFRICA – July 1942
FDR did for 2 reasons: experience for the troops & it would give back control to a key strategic region (Egypt) to England
Rommel (the Desert Fox – German) would meet up with Montgomery (British) and Patton (US) in the battle for North Africa
In May of 1943, the Germans surrendered in North Africa
Now the US/GB were in position to go after Europe through Italy

28. Battle of the Atlantic
After war declared between the US and Germany, U-boats entered coastal waters off the US east coast
American cargo ships were easy target
CONVOY SYSTEM used to protect shipping
Spring 1942 – Germans sunk over 1.2 m tons of cargo
In the same timeframe, the US produced more than 1.1 m tons of new shipping
US developed more effective ways of finding, tracking and sinking U-boats (sonar, depth charges)
The Battle of the Atlantic turned in favor of the Allies

29. Battle for Stalingrad

30. Battle of Stalingrad
Hitler believed to defeat Stalin, he needed to destroy the Russian economy – he also wanted their OIL
May 1942 – Hitler ordered his troops to capture the oil fields, farms and factories in S. Russia/Ukraine
Stalingrad was a key shipping center. If the Germans took Stalingrad, they could cut off resources to the Soviet military
Hitler ordered his troops to take/hold Stalingrad at all costs
Soviet military/people will fight back, will not fall
250,000 German troops taken prisoner
Each side lost ½ million soldiers
Loss here put Germany on the defensive for the first time

31. Striking Germany & Italy
Allies control of North Africa KEY to next step
At Casablanca Conference, FDR & Churchill agree to attack Germany by air and thru Italy
STRATEGIC BOMBING:
US/British Air Forces had been bombing Germany/Berlin constantly for over a year before the Casablanca Conf. (4,000 tons of bombs per month)
From Jan 43 thru May 45, the US/GB will increase their bombing to 53,000 per month
Bombing did not destroy Germany’s economy or crush their morale, but it did severely damage the oil supply and railroad system
Bombing also destroyed factories, making it impossible for Germany to replace war supplies lost in battles
By June 44, the US/GB controlled the air

33. Striking the “Soft Underbelly” of Europe
US/GB would first attack Germany from North Africa through Italy – the “soft underbelly”- in 1943
Within a month, the King of Italy (Victor Emmanuel) called Mussolini in – the government of Italy arrested Mussolini and began negotiation a surrender
Germany seized control of northern Italy and continued to fight and returned Mussolini to power
For the next 5 months, fierce fighting between the Allies and Axis troops finally ended when the Allies broke through (Allied casualties in Italy – 300,000_

34. Tehran Conference FDR & Stalin met before the Allies invaded France
FDR and Stalin agreed to split up Germany after the war so it would never threaten world peace again
Stalin agreed that after Germany was defeated, the USSR would help the US defeat Japan
Stalin also agreed to an international peacekeeping organization after the war (United Nations)

35. D-Day Read p. 305-307 about D-Day Take notes as you read 5-W’s WHO
WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
WHY

36. D-Day (Operation Overlord)
The final part of defeating Hitler was to invade France and create a 3 front battle
PLANNING OPERATION OVERLORD
Hitler had fortified the north coast of France
The most logical place to invade would be at Calais
“trickery used to deceive the Nazi’s”
But NORMANDY would be the actual site
The largest amphibian landing in history
Area protected by air cover
Area where mass landing of machinery could take place
Area where hundreds of thousands of troops could land and stay, preparing to push further into France

37. D-Day
By Spring 1944, 1.5 million American soldiers, 5 million tons of equipment and 12, 000 airplanes had been sent to England
June 6, 1944 picked as the day (due to weather, moon)
THE LONGEST DAY
7,000 ships carried 100,000 soldiers
23,000 paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines
5 beaches – Omaha, Gold, Utah, Sword, Juno
Omaha was the toughest to attack – biggest casualties
45,000 Allied soldiers will die taking Normandy

38. Days after D-Day
The invasion succeeded, but huge amounts of people/equipment needed to be moved across the channel
5 days
326,547 soldiers
54,186 vehicles
104 tons of supplies
25 days
850,000 soldiers
148,000 vehicles
570, 000 tons of supplies

39. 3rd Reich Collapses Allies retake Paris, head for Germany
BATTLE OF THE BULGE
Hitler decides to make one last try at breaking the Allies (12/16/44)
3 days later, Patton hit German forces hard
By Christmas eve, German forces out of fuel, food, forced to halt
Jan 8, 1945, Nazis begin to withdraw to Germany
THE WAR ENDS IN EUROPE
Race between Allies/Russia to get to Berlin
April 17, 1945, Russians reach Berlin first –
Hitler commits suicide in his bunker rather than be taken prisoner by the Russians
May 8, 1945 – V-E Day – Germany officially surrenders

41. Japan is Defeated
IWO JIMA – Island close to Japan would give US perfect base to invade main island
US pounded island with artillery for days
60,000 marines landed (6,800 died) and took Iwo Jima
FIREBOMBING TOKYO
Napalm used to start fires – controversial – civilian losses
Japan’s six key industrial cities had been bombed
OKINAWA
Few signs the Japanese would surrender
US needed a base close to Japan to store goods if they were to invade the main island
Japanese were dug in – 12,000 will die taking Okinawa

42. Terms of Surrender Japanese emperor urged his government to negotiate
America demanded unconditional surrender
Japanese had one condition – Emperor Hirohito would remain on the throne of Japan
US had options:
Blockade
Invade
Accept conditional surrender
Use the secret weapon that was just about ready to deploy

43. Manhattan Project
Albert Einstein convinced to write a letter to FDR telling him Germany was working on an atomic weapon
FDR’s response was to set up the MANHATTAN PROJECT
Best scientific minds were set on developing an atomic weapon
Secret program was created at several locations
On July 16, 1945 – the first atomic bomb was tested
Scientists were horrified at the power of the weapon
Wrote a letter to FDR begging him not to use the weapon on civilians
FDR believe the bomb was a military weapon and never had any doubts that it should be used”

44. Nagasaki and Hirshima
2 cities selected – had been left alone during war (religious cites)
Warnings given to the Japanese government
August 6, 1945 – Hiroshima bombed
63% of city destroyed
Between 80,000 and 120,000 died instantly
August 9, 1945 – Nagasaki bombed
Between 35,000 and 74,000 died instantly
Faced with utter destruction and the threat of Soviet intervention, Hirohito ordered Japan to surrender
August 15, 1945 – VJ Day – the long war was over

45. Putting the Enemy on Trial
US, GB, France and USSR created the International Military Tribunal (IMT) to punish German and Japanese leaders for “war crimes”
Germany – 153 tried
3 acqutted, 7 got LONG prison terms, 12 sentenced to die and 107 sentenced to prison
Japan – 25 tried
18 sentenced to prison, 7 sentenced to die
Israel and other organizations have continued to hunt for Nazi’s who escaped after the war
Those found, positively identified have been extradited back to Israel for trial