World War II and Georgia SS8H9 The student will describe the impact of World War II on Georgia’s development economically, socially, and politically. Describe the impact of events leading up to American involvement in WWI; including Lend-Lease and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Evaluate the importance of Bell Aircraft, military bases, the Savannah & Brunswick shipyards, Richard Russell and Carl Vinson Explain the impact of the Holocaust on Georgians. Discuss President Roosevelt’s ties to Georgia. Including his visits to Warm Springs and his impact on the state.

Lesson Essential Question #1 How did Lend Lease and Pearl Harbor bring about American involvement in World War II?

World war II background WWII began in September 1939. Americans saw this a European problem and hoped to stay out of it. The U.S.A. did stay out of it until 1941. The war officially ended in 1945. There were several reasons why this war began and why the U.S.A. got involved.

Causes of World War II Political instability and economic devastation in Europe resulting from WWI was one cause of WWII. The rise of fascism was another cause. Fascism: a political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual freedoms are denied. Worldwide depression: high war debts owed by Germany from WWI, high inflation, and massive unemployment.

The axis Powers AKA: The axis of evil Adolf Hitler- Germany Nazi Party Benito Mussolini- Italy Fascist Hideki Tojo - Japan Imperial Rule Assistance Association U.S.A. Propaganda Poster

Reasons the U.S. joined the war Fearing a victory of Japan and Germany, the US begins to support allies like the U.K., France, and the Soviet Union in 1941. Lend-Lease Act: policy where the U.S. sent billons of dollars to allies in exchange for rights to put military bases in their countries. President Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease bill to give aid to Britain and China (1941)

“A Day That Will Live in Infamy” President Roosevelt stopped exports to Japan to protest its expansions into other countries. Exportation of oil, airplanes, aviation gasoline, and metals were stopped. The Japanese attacked the U.S. Navy fleet by surprise at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. More than 2,400 people died in the attack. Japan hoped to destroy the fleet, giving them control of the Pacific Ocean.

The U.S.A. uses the atomic bomb The Enola Gay dropped the Hiroshima bomb on August 6, 1945 Atomic bomb mushroom clouds over Hiroshima (left) and Nagasaki (right) The blast at Hiroshima alone killed about 70, 000 people. Many more died later on from related diseases caused by the nuclear radiation.

War Brings Prosperity to Georgia Once WWII started, the state’s economic fortunes began to change as federal money poured into military bases and industries. One industry, Bell Aircraft, made an enormous impact on Georgia’s economy. They built the Bell Bomber plant in Marietta to produce B-29 bombers. They employed many women and African-Americans.

Georgia Shipyards Another industry was the shipyards of Savannah and Brunswick. They built large transport vessels called Liberty Ships. Those ships were designed to carry everything from grain and mail to troops and trucks.

Richard Russell Richard Russell was one of two powerful Georgia leaders in Congress. During the Great Depression, he worked hard to push FDR’s New Deal programs through Congress. During WWII, he argued that the US needed military bases in foreign countries. He believed they would help secure international stability. He served one term as governor and seven consecutive terms as U.S. Senator. He was chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

Carl Vinson The other leader for Georgia was Carl Vinson in the House of Representatives. He served twenty-five consecutive terms. (50 years) Along with Russell, he brought military installations and federal dollars to Georgia. Important installations brought to Georgia included Fort Benning near Columbus, Robins Air Service Command near Macon, Fort Gordon near Augusta, and Hunter Field near Savannah.

The Holocaust Under Hitler’s Nazi regime more than 6 million Jews and other targeted groups (i.e. Gypsies, blacks, mentally handicapped) were killed. The Nazis arrested many Jews and shipped them off to concentration camps. There, they were either killed immediately, used for experiments, or used as slave labor before being executed. Many survivors moved to Georgia after the war and told the stories of their survival. The treatment of minorities in Europe lead many in Georgia to look in the mirror and reexamine their racial practices.

Georgia Loses a Friend President Roosevelt visited Georgia often at his “Little White House” in Warm Springs. His polio symptoms were eased in the warm springs. He died in G.A. where he suffered a stroke. Many experts say that Roosevelt’s connection to Georgia inspired many of his New Deals. The National Youth Administration (NYA) helped minority youths get part-time jobs so that they could finish their education. NYA assistance was given to white females and African-Americans of both sexes between the ages of 16 and 25.