Invasion of Western Invasion of Western EuropeEurope

Operation OverlordOperation Overlord

Marshall, top American General and Marshall, top American General and Chief of Staff to FDR wanted a massive Chief of Staff to FDR wanted a massive attack on Germany through France.attack on Germany through France.

The invasion code name was Operation The invasion code name was Operation Overlord, the Allies began a massive Overlord, the Allies began a massive military buildup in southern England. military buildup in southern England. They were supported by French, Polish, They were supported by French, Polish, Dutch and Belgian troops. The Dutch and Belgian troops. The operation was kept top secret.operation was kept top secret.

D-Day, my B-DayD-Day, my B-Day

Took place on June 6, 1944Took place on June 6, 1944 Surprise attack started at nightSurprise attack started at night RAF pounded German defenses in RAF pounded German defenses in

NormandyNormandy Allies parachuted behind enemy linesAllies parachuted behind enemy lines More than 150,000 soldiers landed on the More than 150,000 soldiers landed on the

beachesbeaches Allies suffered heavy casualties, but the Allies suffered heavy casualties, but the

operation was a successoperation was a success

France is Liberated!!France is Liberated!!

A month after the D-Day millions of A month after the D-Day millions of allied troops occupied France.allied troops occupied France.

General Patton and his troops destroyed General Patton and his troops destroyed bridges stopping German troops from bridges stopping German troops from bringing in reinforcements.bringing in reinforcements.

With the Allied forces and internal With the Allied forces and internal resistance in France, the country would resistance in France, the country would be liberated by the end of August.be liberated by the end of August.

The day of the bulgeThe day of the bulge

Hitler was intense on keeping and Hitler was intense on keeping and defending his conquestsdefending his conquests

He reinforced his army with 1,000’s of He reinforced his army with 1,000’s of draftees, some as young as 15.draftees, some as young as 15.

Hitler’s troops trounced on the allies Hitler’s troops trounced on the allies forcing them back and causing a bulge in forcing them back and causing a bulge in the allied lines. the allied lines.

Many American forces were cut off from Many American forces were cut off from the rest of the army, but in weeks the the rest of the army, but in weeks the allied forces would restart their drive.allied forces would restart their drive.

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge was the The Battle of the Bulge was the largest battle in western Europe largest battle in western Europe during WW II, and the largest fought during WW II, and the largest fought by Americans. It involved more than by Americans. It involved more than 600,000 GI’s of which 80,000 were 600,000 GI’s of which 80,000 were killedkilled

After the battle, Nazi leaders After the battle, Nazi leaders recognized that the war may be over recognized that the war may be over

Soviet forces push onSoviet forces push on

Like the battle of Stalingrad, Soviet Like the battle of Stalingrad, Soviet soldiers fought hard for he capture of soldiers fought hard for he capture of Berlin.Berlin.

As the Soviet troops surrounded the As the Soviet troops surrounded the city of Berlin, Hitler refused to take city of Berlin, Hitler refused to take the advice and flee the city. Instead the advice and flee the city. Instead he commits suicide in an underground he commits suicide in an underground bunker.bunker.

A few days later the rest of the A few days later the rest of the German soldiers will retreatGerman soldiers will retreat

The Yalta Yalta ConferenceThe Yalta Yalta Conference

Months before the fall of Berlin Churchill, Months before the fall of Berlin Churchill, Stalin and FDR met at Yalta, a city in the Stalin and FDR met at Yalta, a city in the Soviet UnionSoviet Union

At the conference they discussed post war At the conference they discussed post war Germany. Decided to split Germany into 4 Germany. Decided to split Germany into 4 zones each under the control of the major zones each under the control of the major allies as well as Berlinallies as well as Berlin

Stalin goes against the agreement and Stalin goes against the agreement and refuses to hold open and democratic refuses to hold open and democratic elections, FDR and Churchill get a lot of slack elections, FDR and Churchill get a lot of slack for the agreementfor the agreement

The HolocaustThe Holocaust

Anti-Semitism is hatred and hostility Anti-Semitism is hatred and hostility against the Jews. They were blamed against the Jews. They were blamed for the countries economic problems for the countries economic problems and hardshipsand hardships

The Holocaust was the systematic The Holocaust was the systematic murder of European Jews, roughly 6 murder of European Jews, roughly 6 million, about 2/3rds of Europe’s million, about 2/3rds of Europe’s Jewish population would lose their Jewish population would lose their lives.lives.

Who’s a Jew??Who’s a Jew??

Nuremberg laws stripped Jews of their Nuremberg laws stripped Jews of their citizenrycitizenry

A Jew was defined as a person who had A Jew was defined as a person who had three or four Jewish grandparents three or four Jewish grandparents regardless of their religion.regardless of their religion.

Jews were forced to sew yellow stars on Jews were forced to sew yellow stars on their clothes to represent being a Jew.their clothes to represent being a Jew.

Hitler’s PoliceHitler’s Police

The Gestapo was Hitler’s secret The Gestapo was Hitler’s secret policepolice

The SS were an elite guard group The SS were an elite guard group responsible for guarding the responsible for guarding the concentration campsconcentration camps

Kristallnacht, the night of broken Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, almost every synagogue was glass, almost every synagogue was destroyed, all Jewish shops etc. destroyed, all Jewish shops etc.

Jews seek refugeJews seek refuge

As the violence grew against Jews some As the violence grew against Jews some 130,000 fled Germany seeking refuge in 130,000 fled Germany seeking refuge in neighboring European countries.neighboring European countries.

As the numbers grew, many sought refuge As the numbers grew, many sought refuge in the US, and Latin Americain the US, and Latin America

FDR held the Evian Conference in France FDR held the Evian Conference in France to discuss the infiltration of Jews. Of the 32 to discuss the infiltration of Jews. Of the 32 nations present, only the Dominican nations present, only the Dominican Republic agreed to open their doors to Republic agreed to open their doors to immigrants.immigrants.

The first method The first method

Many of the Jews that fled Germany Many of the Jews that fled Germany would end up in the control of Hitler would end up in the control of Hitler when he invaded other countries, mostly when he invaded other countries, mostly Poland. Poland.

Plans for dealing with the Jews first Plans for dealing with the Jews first started with the establishment of started with the establishment of ghettos, usually surrounded by barbed-ghettos, usually surrounded by barbed-wired fences, Jews were forced to pick up wired fences, Jews were forced to pick up their lives and live in these cruel their lives and live in these cruel conditions.conditions.

The Warsaw GhettoThe Warsaw Ghetto

In Warsaw, 400,000 Jews were rounded In Warsaw, 400,000 Jews were rounded up, almost 30% of the capital’s population up, almost 30% of the capital’s population in a living area of only 3%in a living area of only 3%

They received little food, were subjected They received little food, were subjected to overcrowding and lack of sanitationto overcrowding and lack of sanitation

Thousands died in the Ghetto, but the Thousands died in the Ghetto, but the Nazi’s were looking for a more proficient Nazi’s were looking for a more proficient way to get rid of the problem.way to get rid of the problem.

Murder moves to GenocideMurder moves to Genocide

Hitler ordered the Einsatzgruppen, a Hitler ordered the Einsatzgruppen, a mobile killing squad to shoot mobile killing squad to shoot communist officials and Jews living in communist officials and Jews living in German-occupied territoryGerman-occupied territory

They were rounded up and drove to They were rounded up and drove to freshly dug graves, and shot there. In freshly dug graves, and shot there. In Babi Yar alone, 33,000 Jews were Babi Yar alone, 33,000 Jews were murdered in two days, the genocide murdered in two days, the genocide begins!begins!

The final solution to the Jewish The final solution to the Jewish questionquestion

At the Wannsee Conference, Nazi At the Wannsee Conference, Nazi officials met to discuss a better officials met to discuss a better method to come to the final solution.method to come to the final solution.

They came up with genocide, or They came up with genocide, or deliberate destruction of an entire deliberate destruction of an entire ethnic group, this would lead to the ethnic group, this would lead to the construction camps.construction camps.

Most effective way to killMost effective way to kill

Zyklon B proved the most efficient killer, Zyklon B proved the most efficient killer, the first “shower” was built at Auschwitz the first “shower” was built at Auschwitz in Poland, they were known as death in Poland, they were known as death camps, not concentration camps. camps, not concentration camps.

Prisoners were told they were going to Prisoners were told they were going to the east to work, rounded in cattle cars, the east to work, rounded in cattle cars, put in lines, did hard labor or were put in lines, did hard labor or were gassed. Life expectancy in the camp was gassed. Life expectancy in the camp was a few months a few months

The Horror of the campsThe Horror of the camps

Hard labor included taking the bodies Hard labor included taking the bodies from the gas chambers to the from the gas chambers to the crematoriumscrematoriums

They were tattooed, malnourished, They were tattooed, malnourished, and tortured.and tortured.

The amounts of death at these camps The amounts of death at these camps were staggering. In one day at were staggering. In one day at Auschwitz, 12,000 could be gassed Auschwitz, 12,000 could be gassed and crematedand cremated

Fighting BackFighting Back

There were some uprisings in the camps, There were some uprisings in the camps, however they were quickly crushed by the however they were quickly crushed by the Germans. The most successful was the riot Germans. The most successful was the riot at Treblinka, that caused it to close down at Treblinka, that caused it to close down from all the damage.from all the damage.

Every so often someone would escape and Every so often someone would escape and return to the ghettos to give word of the return to the ghettos to give word of the death camps. At the Warsaw Ghetto, the death camps. At the Warsaw Ghetto, the Jews held off Germans for 27 days armed Jews held off Germans for 27 days armed with little more than hand guns and with little more than hand guns and homemade grenades. homemade grenades.

Rescue and LiberationRescue and Liberation

The United States knew of the death camps The United States knew of the death camps as early as 1942. Many were uninterested at as early as 1942. Many were uninterested at first.first.

FDR would create the WRB (War Refugee FDR would create the WRB (War Refugee Board) to help people fighting persecution. Board) to help people fighting persecution. Although it was late funding from the WRB Although it was late funding from the WRB enabled Sweden to issue special Swedish enabled Sweden to issue special Swedish passports to the Jews and saved 200,000 passports to the Jews and saved 200,000 lives. The US however refused to open their lives. The US however refused to open their borders wider, in fact their immigration borders wider, in fact their immigration quota was not even metquota was not even met

Liberation finally comesLiberation finally comes When the news of liberation came to the When the news of liberation came to the

camps, Nazi soldiers marched the prisoners camps, Nazi soldiers marched the prisoners on death marchers back onto German on death marchers back onto German territory. Thousands died too weak to even territory. Thousands died too weak to even walk.walk.

The United States was first witnessed to this The United States was first witnessed to this horrorhorror

Prior to liberation, Belzec and Treblinka Prior to liberation, Belzec and Treblinka were closed the annihilation of the Jews was were closed the annihilation of the Jews was almost completealmost complete

Days before Hitler commits suicide (may 7 Days before Hitler commits suicide (may 7 1945) FDR will die of a cerebral hemorrhage 1945) FDR will die of a cerebral hemorrhage and Truman will take overand Truman will take over

Years laterYears later

Treblinka and Belzec were burned Treblinka and Belzec were burned and turned into farm land but and turned into farm land but soldiers still found bodies protruding soldiers still found bodies protruding from the groundfrom the ground

Those who were liberated normally Those who were liberated normally died days later died days later

The Nazis had killed 12 million The Nazis had killed 12 million peoplepeople

Responsible for your own Responsible for your own actionsactions

The Nuremburg Trials were composed The Nuremburg Trials were composed of members from the US, France, GB of members from the US, France, GB and SVand SV

There were 24 defendants, 12 There were 24 defendants, 12 received the death penaltyreceived the death penalty

Most important thing it did was hold Most important thing it did was hold people responsible for their actions, people responsible for their actions, could not just say “I was Following could not just say “I was Following Orders.”Orders.”

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific

The Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, The Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, Clark Field were efforts to remove the US Clark Field were efforts to remove the US from the war so they could gain the from the war so they could gain the needed natural resources in Southeast needed natural resources in Southeast Asia.Asia.

In 1942 there was the Battle of the Coral In 1942 there was the Battle of the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia. The battle was Sea, northeast of Australia. The battle was a draw between America and Japanese a draw between America and Japanese forces but stopped Japan from taking forces but stopped Japan from taking AustraliaAustralia

The Battle of MidwayThe Battle of Midway

Japanese forces tried to take the Japanese forces tried to take the Midway Islands, it resulted in the first Midway Islands, it resulted in the first major defeat of the Japanese navy major defeat of the Japanese navy

Even with the success of Midway, Even with the success of Midway, Japanese had a strong hold on the Japanese had a strong hold on the PacificPacific

In an effort to cut this the United In an effort to cut this the United States utilized island hopping, a States utilized island hopping, a strategy in which captured key islands strategy in which captured key islands and cut off Japanese supply lines and cut off Japanese supply lines

Battle in the PacificBattle in the Pacific The first step for the Allies in taking Tokyo The first step for the Allies in taking Tokyo

was the Battle of Guadalcanal, located on was the Battle of Guadalcanal, located on the Solomon Islands, where Japanese were the Solomon Islands, where Japanese were building an airfield. building an airfield.

The battle lasted six months, when 11,000 The battle lasted six months, when 11,000 Marines landed on the island, the 2,200 Marines landed on the island, the 2,200 Japanese soldiers retreated into the jungleJapanese soldiers retreated into the jungle

First time for jungle warfare for Marines, First time for jungle warfare for Marines, became easy targets for Japanese snipersbecame easy targets for Japanese snipers

The battle would be fought by land, air The battle would be fought by land, air and sea, and be a US victory and sea, and be a US victory

Kamikazes and Iwo JimaKamikazes and Iwo Jima The war became deadlier as Allied troops The war became deadlier as Allied troops

made their way to Japan.made their way to Japan. Japanese implemented kamikazes, suicide Japanese implemented kamikazes, suicide

pilots who flew bomb-laden planes into pilots who flew bomb-laden planes into American ships, they scored 279 US vessels American ships, they scored 279 US vessels and American Marines suffered 20,000 and American Marines suffered 20,000 casualtiescasualties

One of the bloodiest battles took place on Iwo One of the bloodiest battles took place on Iwo Jima, for 74 days the US pounded the island Jima, for 74 days the US pounded the island with bullets and bombs, Marines landed on with bullets and bombs, Marines landed on the beaches with 110,000 troops yet it took a the beaches with 110,000 troops yet it took a month to secure the island. Japanese fought month to secure the island. Japanese fought almost until the last man, 216 were left, from almost until the last man, 216 were left, from 25,00025,000

Battle of OkinawaBattle of Okinawa Fought from April to June was just as bloody as Fought from April to June was just as bloody as

Iwo JimaIwo Jima Little than 350 miles from Japan, it was the last Little than 350 miles from Japan, it was the last

obstacle to the Allies invasion of Japanobstacle to the Allies invasion of Japan Many of the 100,000 Japanese soldiers pledged to Many of the 100,000 Japanese soldiers pledged to

fight until deathfight until death Allies gathered over 180,000 ground troops, Allies gathered over 180,000 ground troops,

thousands of warshipsthousands of warships They were attacked by kamikazes, and attacks They were attacked by kamikazes, and attacks

were soldiers would kill as many defenders as were soldiers would kill as many defenders as possible before dying themselvespossible before dying themselves

US lost 50,000 soldiers while the Japanese only US lost 50,000 soldiers while the Japanese only had 7,000 lefthad 7,000 left

The Manhattan ProjectThe Manhattan Project

The US knew that the end of the war The US knew that the end of the war would be costly to US lives, the would be costly to US lives, the Manhattan Project was a top secret Manhattan Project was a top secret organized by FDR to develop an organized by FDR to develop an atomic bomb, the idea was sent by a atomic bomb, the idea was sent by a physicist who fled Germanyphysicist who fled Germany

In 1945 the first atomic bomb was In 1945 the first atomic bomb was dropped in the desert of New Mexicodropped in the desert of New Mexico

Alternatives to dropping the Alternatives to dropping the bombbomb

The bomb was completed now the decision The bomb was completed now the decision was to be made on if they should drop it on was to be made on if they should drop it on JapanJapan

Alternatives:Alternatives:– 1. massive invasion of Japan costing millions of US 1. massive invasion of Japan costing millions of US

liveslives– 2. a naval blockade starving Japan along with 2. a naval blockade starving Japan along with

conventional bombingconventional bombing– 3. a demonstration of the bomb on a deserted 3. a demonstration of the bomb on a deserted

island to pressure Japan into surrenderisland to pressure Japan into surrender– 4. a softening of unconditional surrender of Japan4. a softening of unconditional surrender of Japan

Final DecisionFinal Decision

It was ultimately up to Truman who It was ultimately up to Truman who had only been in office 3 monthshad only been in office 3 months

Japan had continually refused Japan had continually refused surrender throughout the war, and the surrender throughout the war, and the US had already lost thousands of US had already lost thousands of casualtiescasualties

He had no problem deciding to drop He had no problem deciding to drop the bomb, he said “You should do the bomb, he said “You should do your weeping at Pearl Harbor,” meant your weeping at Pearl Harbor,” meant for the critics for the critics

The DevastationThe Devastation August 6, 1945 an atomic bomb destroyed August 6, 1945 an atomic bomb destroyed

60 percent of Hiroshima, a major industrial 60 percent of Hiroshima, a major industrial citycity

Even after the first bomb was dropped, Japan Even after the first bomb was dropped, Japan refused to surrenderrefused to surrender

On August 9On August 9thth, dropped a second bomb on , dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki, causing almost as much Nagasaki, causing almost as much destruction as the firstdestruction as the first

Took 150,000 Japanese livesTook 150,000 Japanese lives Japan will accept American terms of Japan will accept American terms of

surrender and asks for peace, the surrender surrender and asks for peace, the surrender will take place on the Missouri, a battleship in will take place on the Missouri, a battleship in the Pacificthe Pacific

The War at HomeThe War at Home In the US African Americans were fighting In the US African Americans were fighting

desperately to gain equalitydesperately to gain equality Laws were passed in the North to open Laws were passed in the North to open

employment to all people regardless of employment to all people regardless of race, or ethnicityrace, or ethnicity

African Americans experienced violent African Americans experienced violent discrimination, riots etc. discrimination, riots etc.

People were afraid of losing jobs or having People were afraid of losing jobs or having to be equalto be equal

African American soldiers were also victim African American soldiers were also victim to discriminationto discrimination

Africans and MexicansAfricans and Mexicans African Americans set up the Double V African Americans set up the Double V

campaign, first V for victory against the axis campaign, first V for victory against the axis powers and the other against equality at powers and the other against equality at homehome

Congress of Racial Equality-nonviolent Congress of Racial Equality-nonviolent methods to end racism, such as sit-ins methods to end racism, such as sit-ins

A shortage in farm help brought on A shortage in farm help brought on immigration from Mexicoimmigration from Mexico– Braceros were Mexican farm laborers who lived in Braceros were Mexican farm laborers who lived in

barrios, or Spanish speaking neighborhoods. They barrios, or Spanish speaking neighborhoods. They were called “Zoot-suiters” because of their dress were called “Zoot-suiters” because of their dress and were normally beat up by sailors and localsand were normally beat up by sailors and locals

Japanese AmericansJapanese Americans

After Pearl Harbor, 110,000 Japanese After Pearl Harbor, 110,000 Japanese Americans were moved from their Americans were moved from their homes to detention centershomes to detention centers

They had only 48 hours to pack their They had only 48 hours to pack their lives up and movelives up and move

Most did not rebelMost did not rebel They were put in internment camps, They were put in internment camps,

or confined to camps in remote areas or confined to camps in remote areas far from the coastfar from the coast

Challenges of TreatmentChallenges of Treatment Some Japanese challenged these actionsSome Japanese challenged these actions Korematsu v. United States, where they Korematsu v. United States, where they

said it was a military necessitysaid it was a military necessity Later, almost 40 years, surviving internees Later, almost 40 years, surviving internees

were given 20,000 dollars for their losseswere given 20,000 dollars for their losses Up until 1943, Japanese Americans were Up until 1943, Japanese Americans were

not allowed into the military, when they not allowed into the military, when they finally were they volunteered in the finally were they volunteered in the thousands to prove their patriotismthousands to prove their patriotism

They won more medals for bravery than They won more medals for bravery than any other unit in the USany other unit in the US

New InventionsNew Inventions

DDT- an agent to control insects and DDT- an agent to control insects and made jungle fighting more tolerable made jungle fighting more tolerable was developed, bazookas were was developed, bazookas were developed to help destroy tanks, as developed to help destroy tanks, as well as radarwell as radar

The economy was jump started from The economy was jump started from the war effort, thousands of jobs the war effort, thousands of jobs were created were created