World War II Continued

Fighting a War on Two Fronts American forces would face the challenge of fighting a war with Japan in the Pacific theater and assisting the Allies fighting against fascism in the European theater.

European Theatre British RAF fights off potential Nazi invasion U.S. attacked Axis forces in North Africa After freeing Africa, Allied forces begin moving up Italy, Italians strip Mussolini of power in 1943 Russian winter and Red Army had slowed Nazis

Pacific Theatre Doolittle’s Raid – US bomb Tokyo –Could attack Japan at any time –Huge morale boost for Americans Japan conquers the Philippines –General MacArthur – “I shall return” Bataan Death March –Japanese move American prisoners –60 mile forced march –Estimated 6,000 die or are executed

Created 19 million jobs to help pull US out of Great Depression War Production Board – govt set up production priorities and goals Mobilization – The build-up of military and military materials Impact on the U.S. Economy

Conserving Scarce Resources Government rationed goods such as sugar, milk, cheese, eggs, coffee, meat, gasoline and canned goods Households were given a book of ration coupons each month. When they used all their coupons, they could buy no more items that month.

Helping at Home Victory gardens – Private garden to reduce pressure on food supply High enlistment numbers –16 million serve Flying Tigers – American volunteers fighting the Japanese before the US entered the war Office of War Information –Connection between war front and civilians; Created various forms of propaganda to help war effort

Contribution of Minorities African Americans – Can fight but segregated –Tuskegee Airmen –Benjamin O. Davis Native Americans – Navajo Code Talkers Executive Order 8802 – outlaws discrimination in hiring in the workplace Bracero Program – 200,000 Mexicans immigrated to SW to work on farms

The Contribution of Women On the home front, 2.5 million worked in factories, many times in jobs traditionally performed by men. Women Ordinance Workers Women’s Army Corp – Women enlisted in non- combat positions

Japanese Internment 120,000 people (including 77,000 US citizens) rounded up for the sake of national security Executive Order 9066 – People of Japanese descent were relocated to internment camps Korematsu v. US upheld the internment 1988 – Pres. Reagan signs bill apologizing and issues $1.6 billion in reparations to those interned

Roosevelt’s Presidency FDR becomes the 1 st (and only) president ever to serve more than two terms As Germany is conquering Europe, FDR wins Election of 1940 promising no involvement in foreign wars With the war’s end in sight, FDR wins a 4 th term in 1944, but dies 3 months in 22 nd Amendment–Term Limits for President

Major Turning Points Pacific Theater Battle of Midway- the Americans launched a surprise attack on the Japanese fleet, destroying 4 aircraft carriers and handing Japan their first major defeat (1942). European Theater Battle of Stalingrad- the Soviets turned the tide against Nazis (1943) AND…

June 6, 1944 – D-Day Invasion of Normandy Allies send waves of troops against heavy resistance 1 st – capture the northern coast of France Then free France and move East into Germany

U.S. Leaders Admiral Chester Nimitz General Dwight Eisenhower – Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe General George MacArthur – Supreme Commander of US Forces in the Pacific General Omar Bradley & General George Patton

D-Day to V-E Day Americans and British moving in from West Soviet Union moving in from East Soviets arrive and conquer Berlin before Americans Nazis surrender – May 8,1945

Midway to V-J Day U.S. practices island hopping Japanese using Kamikaze attacks Manhattan Project – top secret development of atomic bomb In August of 1945, President Truman decides to use the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrendered on August 14th, 1945

Yalta Conference Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin discuss post-war plans Temporary division of Germany into 4 zones – USA, G.B., USSR & France Set up United Nations – International organization to promote world peace, security and economic development

Nuremberg Trials Nazi and Japanese leaders put on trial for crimes against humanity and war crimes 12 of 24 sentenced to death; others sent to prison Principle: individuals are responsible for their own actions, even in times of war Could not escape punishment for “following orders”