World War II and its Texan Effects

What do you see, think & why?

Background to World War II Problem: Aggressive dictatorships in Europe rejected post-WW I peace settlement. Germany’s dictator, Adolf Hitler, persecuted Jews & demanded more territory from neighbors In Asia Japan launched a vicious, bloody war against China in 1937. German dictator Adolf Hitler ALLIES: United States, USSR, & Britain VS AXIS: Japan, Germany, &Italy

War Breaks Out, U. S. Neutral 1939: Germany invaded Poland. U.K. and France fight to defend Poland. 1940: Germany defeated France. 1941: Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Congress pursued isolationism, seeking to stay out of war. Though FDR supported the Allies Congress insisted on neutrality. FDR managed to get an embargo (a ban on trading) on Japan and Lend-Lease, an agreement to sell weapons to U.K. and the Soviet Union as long as they would pay the USA back after the war.

Pearl Harbor Attack and War On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese navy launched a surprise assault on the U. S. naval base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Why? Japan hoped to destroy the U. S. fleet so that the U. S. wouldn’t be able to enter the war. Germany and Italy declared war on the U. S. in support of Japan. The United States declared war on the Axis. USS Shaw under attack. Women assemble airplanes in a U.S. factory during the war. "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, leader of the Pearl Harbor attack. Pearl Harbor Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQAf74fsE

US Homefront -EFFECT 1: The war created the need for machines, supplies, and oil… increasing INDUSTRIALIZATION. -EFFECT 2: More people moved to the city for factory jobs….increasing URBANIZATION PEGS…(write in PEGS below in the correct space in your notes) The Texas Coastline had many shipyards and oil refineries. People were told to grow their own food in “Victory Gardens,” carpool, and buy war bonds. Many women entered the workforce to respond to the labor shortage. Women worked in heavy engineering jobs making steel, airplanes, cars, and other jobs women had not had in large numbers before. The Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was built in 1943 at the height of the war.

Texas Home Front More than 750,000 Texans served in the war. Texas-born General Dwight Eisenhower was Supreme Allied Commander. Admiral Chester Nimitz of Texas was head of the Navy in the Pacific Front. The military’s need for OIL and GAS made Texas critical to the war effort. This altered Texas’ economy forever. EISENHOWER NIMITZ

World War II Ends Over 420,000 U. S. soldiers died in WWII, including 22,000 Texans. Japanese-Americans were interned in prison camps out of suspicion they’d betray America. Many fought bravely anyway. The U.S., U.K., and the Soviet Union eventually defeated Germany, but much of Europe was in ruins and millions of civilians, especially Jews, were murdered by the Germans. The United States ended the war by dropping atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing Japan to surrender in August 1945. Atomic bombs fall on Hiroshima (top) and Nagasaki (bottom)

USS Texas COMING ATTRACTIONS in 10th & 11th Grade. You will study: Used in WWI & WWII Commissioned by Navy in March 1914 At the time, was the most powerful weapon in the world In 1916, the first US battleship to mount anti-aircraft guns In WWII she fired on Nazi defenses in Normandy on D-Day … June 6, 1944 This battleship resides in LaPorte, TX today COMING ATTRACTIONS in 10th & 11th Grade. You will study: ISLAND HOPPING D-DAY BATTLE OF THE BULGE THE HOLOCAUST THE COLD WAR

WWI Impact ___________________ WWII Impact ___________________ Technology from Texas B-24 Bomber planes Built in Fort Worth Freighter ships Built in Houston Munitions (ammo) Built in Texarkana   INTERESTING FACT: Both WWI & II had more casualties from weapons than any other war.