1. Fighting World War II
Chapter 36

2. Focus Question:
What strategies did the United States and its Allies use to defeat the Axis powers in World War II?

3. Introduction
The US fought a war on two fronts or theatres: the Pacific and European
The Atlantic was patrolled by Nazi “wolf packs”
Many of the Pacific islands were controlled by the Japanese
There were many firsts and technological advancements
German U-Boats patrolled the waters of the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, routinely sinking American ships

4. Preparing for War in Europe
Churchill and FDR decided on a “Europe First” strategy
The US would fight a largely defensive war in the Pacific
The Germans had launched Operation Barbarossa, and already controlled much of Western Europe
The German invasion was largely to obtain natural resources.
Hitler also sent troops to North Africa under Erwin Rommel (Nickname: Desert Fox)
Afrika Korps; looking to control oil – joined the Italians
These were all blitzkrieg type tactics