World War II

The Neutrality Acts Banned Sale of war supplies to the belligerentsSale of war supplies to the belligerents Loans to the belligerentsLoans to the belligerents U.S. citizens traveling on vessels belonging to the belligerentsU.S. citizens traveling on vessels belonging to the belligerents

Meanwhile in Europe…

Germany introduced the Blitzkrieg

To Poland

Denmark

Norway

Belgium

the Netherlands

and France

Britain stood alone.

Cash and Carry Policy Belligerents (Britain) could purchase war supplies and equipment in the United States provided theyBelligerents (Britain) could purchase war supplies and equipment in the United States provided they –Paid cash (no loans from Americans) –Carried the supplies and equipment in their own ships (no transportation on American cargo vessels)

The Bases-for-Destroyers Deal, September 1940 Fifty older U.S. Navy destroyers in exchange for 99-year leases on nine British bases around the world

Lend-Lease, March 1941

U.S. Marines stationed in Iceland, July 1941

Atlantic Conference, August 1941

Growing tensions in the Atlantic September 4, USS Greer fights with a German submarine; FDR issues “shoot on sight” orderSeptember 4, USS Greer fights with a German submarine; FDR issues “shoot on sight” order

Growing tensions in the Atlantic Destroyer USS Kearny torpedoed by German submarine; 11 US navy sailors killedDestroyer USS Kearny torpedoed by German submarine; 11 US navy sailors killed

Growing tensions in the Atlantic October 31, 1941—USS Reuben James torpedoed and sunk by German submarine; 115 American lives lost.October 31, 1941—USS Reuben James torpedoed and sunk by German submarine; 115 American lives lost.

Growing tensions in the Atlantic

Meanwhile, in the Pacific…

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor

Japanese Conquests

General Douglas MacArthur

Bataan Death March photo courtesy of

Weak American Response

The Doolittle Raid

A footnote to the Doolittle Raid

Midway

Midway

Midway

Midway

Midway

Midway

Midway

Midway

Midway

Midway

Guadalcanal

Naval Battles for Guadalcanal

Admiral Chester Nimitz General Douglas MacArthur Battle of Tarawa, November 1943

Tarawa 35,000 U.S. soldiers and Marines vs. 4,700 Japanese35,000 U.S. soldiers and Marines vs. 4,700 Japanese CasualtiesCasualties –U.S.: 1,001 killed, 2,296 wounded –Japanese: 4,683 killed, 17 captured

Tarawa

Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944 Battle of Tarawa, November 1943

The Battle of Leyte Gulf

Losses:Losses: –U.S.: 3 aircraft carriers3 aircraft carriers 3 destroyers3 destroyers 3,500 men killed3,500 men killed –Japanese: 4 aircraft carriers4 aircraft carriers 3 battleships3 battleships 8 cruisers8 cruisers 12 destroyers12 destroyers 10,000 men killed10,000 men killed

Battle of Leyte Gulf Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Tarawa

Iwo Jima

Casualties U.S.:U.S.: –5,598 killed –19,189 wounded –494 missing Japanese:Japanese: –20,703 killed –216 captured

Meanwhile, in Europe…

Operation Torch November 1942, U.S. troops land in North Africa

Continuing Advances in the European Theater of the War July 1943—Allied troops land in Sicily.July 1943—Allied troops land in Sicily. September 1943—Allied troops land on the Italian peninsula.September 1943—Allied troops land on the Italian peninsula. June 6, 1944—Allied troops land on the coast of France.June 6, 1944—Allied troops land on the coast of France.

Continuing Advances in the European Theater of the War

D-Day, 6 June 1944: The Allied Landings in Normandy General Dwight Eisenhower

D-Day, 6 June 1944: The Allied Landings in Normandy

The Battle for Normandy, 6 June-25 August, 1944 Casualties Allied:Allied: –57,200 killed –173,000 wounded or missing German:German: –23,019 killed –67,060 wounded –198,616 missing

Endgame in Europe April 8, 1945—Roosevelt dies of cerebral hemorrhage and is replaced by Harry S Truman.April 8, 1945—Roosevelt dies of cerebral hemorrhage and is replaced by Harry S Truman. April 30, 1945—With Soviet troops only blocks away, Hitler commits suicide in his bunker in Berlin.April 30, 1945—With Soviet troops only blocks away, Hitler commits suicide in his bunker in Berlin. May 8, 1945—Germany surrenders.May 8, 1945—Germany surrenders.

Endgame in the Pacific Truman’s options: Invade JapanInvade Japanor…

The Manhattan Project

Hiroshima, 6 August 1945

Nagasaki, 9 August 1945

Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945

“Big Three” Conferences Teheran, November-December 1943

“Big Three” Conferences Yalta, February 1945

“Big Three” Conferences Potsdam, July-August 1945