War in Africa and War in Africa and EuropeEurope

America’s Role, 1941-1945America’s Role, 1941-1945

Mobilizing for warMobilizing for war Like with World War I, the United Like with World War I, the United

States worked quickly to prepare for States worked quickly to prepare for war!war! Millions volunteered for service in Millions volunteered for service in

response to the attack on Pearl Harborresponse to the attack on Pearl Harbor Others were drafted under the Selective Others were drafted under the Selective

Service Act Service Act

Contributors to the war Contributors to the war efforteffort

Mexican AmericansMexican Americans Native Americans Native Americans African AmericansAfrican Americans

The 99The 99thth fighter squadron fighter squadron (aka Tuskegee Airmen), a (aka Tuskegee Airmen), a group of African American group of African American pilots, served in North pilots, served in North Africa and ItalyAfrica and Italy

Asian Americans – even Asian Americans – even Japanese!Japanese!

Women Women Served in non-combat roles Served in non-combat roles

in the Navy and Coast in the Navy and Coast GuardGuard

Also served in the Army Also served in the Army and Navy Nurse Corps or and Navy Nurse Corps or the Women’s Army Corps the Women’s Army Corps (WAC)(WAC)

Volunteers for the war effort cut across race and Volunteers for the war effort cut across race and gender lines…gender lines…

Allied Strategy, 1942-Allied Strategy, 1942-19431943

The United States The United States wanted to land in wanted to land in France as soon as France as soon as possiblepossible Stalin agreed, Churchill Stalin agreed, Churchill

did not….why?did not….why? Allies agreed that the Allies agreed that the

best strategy would be best strategy would be to invade/conquer to invade/conquer North Africa, creating North Africa, creating opportunity to invade opportunity to invade Europe through ItalyEurope through Italy

Africa and Italy (cont’d)Africa and Italy (cont’d) British forces had been fighting Axis forces in British forces had been fighting Axis forces in

North Africa since 1940! North Africa since 1940! Goal: hold on to Egypt (need access to resources in Goal: hold on to Egypt (need access to resources in

Middle East)Middle East) Major opponent: Erwin Rommel, aka “The Desert FoxMajor opponent: Erwin Rommel, aka “The Desert Fox

American troops led by American troops led by Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower land in northern Africa in November 1942, help land in northern Africa in November 1942, help British forces drive Rommel back and take back British forces drive Rommel back and take back the region...Rommel is defeated by May 1943the region...Rommel is defeated by May 1943

From northern Africa, Allies launch attack on ItalyFrom northern Africa, Allies launch attack on Italy By September 1943, the Allies controlled southern Italy By September 1943, the Allies controlled southern Italy

and (very) slowly made their way up the peninsulaand (very) slowly made their way up the peninsula

Germany grows weaker…Germany grows weaker…

Stalingrad (winter Stalingrad (winter 1942-43): thousands of 1942-43): thousands of Nazis freeze or starve Nazis freeze or starve to death, but not to death, but not allowed to retreat! allowed to retreat! Forced to surrender by Forced to surrender by February 1943February 1943

After loss at Stalingrad, After loss at Stalingrad, Soviet forces start to Soviet forces start to push the Germans out push the Germans out of Russian territoryof Russian territory

In addition to losses in North Africa and In addition to losses in North Africa and Italy, German forces suffered greatly in Italy, German forces suffered greatly in the Soviet Union…the Soviet Union…

D-DayD-Day

Largest seaborne Largest seaborne invasion in history: invasion in history: 130,000+ soldiers!130,000+ soldiers!

The surprise invasion The surprise invasion took place across five took place across five beaches in Normandy, beaches in Normandy, just across the English just across the English ChannelChannel

Despite more than Despite more than 10,000 casualties, Allied 10,000 casualties, Allied forces are successful…forces are successful…marks beginning of the marks beginning of the end for Hitlerend for Hitler

By August, Allies had By August, Allies had liberated Parisliberated Paris

American, British, and American, British, and Canadian forces Canadian forces launched their invasion launched their invasion of France on of France on June 6, June 6, 19441944

End of the Third ReichEnd of the Third Reich By the end of 1944, Germany is virtually By the end of 1944, Germany is virtually

surrounded: Italy (south), the Soviet Union (east), surrounded: Italy (south), the Soviet Union (east), and now France (west)and now France (west) As Allies close in on Berlin, they discover and liberate As Allies close in on Berlin, they discover and liberate

concentration campsconcentration camps Nazis make a last ditch effort to beat the Allies at Nazis make a last ditch effort to beat the Allies at

the the Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge (Belgium and (Belgium and Luxembourg, December 1944)Luxembourg, December 1944) Heavy losses: more than 120,000 German and 80,000 Heavy losses: more than 120,000 German and 80,000

American casualtiesAmerican casualties April 1945: Russians reach Berlin! Hitler commits April 1945: Russians reach Berlin! Hitler commits

suicide rather than surrendersuicide rather than surrender May 2: Soviets capture BerlinMay 2: Soviets capture Berlin May 7: Germany surrendersMay 7: Germany surrenders May 8: War in Europe is officially over! May 8 May 8: War in Europe is officially over! May 8

declared “V-E Day” (aka Victory in Europe)declared “V-E Day” (aka Victory in Europe)

The Big Three Visit YaltaThe Big Three Visit Yalta Even before Germany’s Even before Germany’s

surrender, Allied leaders FDR, surrender, Allied leaders FDR, Churchill, and Stalin (aka the Churchill, and Stalin (aka the Big Three) decide to meet and Big Three) decide to meet and discuss plans for the end discuss plans for the end of the war and the future of of the war and the future of Europe…result is the Europe…result is the Yalta Yalta conference (February 1945)conference (February 1945)

What happens at the What happens at the conference?conference? Stalin promises to declare war Stalin promises to declare war

on Japan after Germany’s on Japan after Germany’s surrendersurrender

Agreement to create an Agreement to create an international peacekeeping international peacekeeping organization (now known as the organization (now known as the United Nations)United Nations)

Discuss how to deal with Eastern Discuss how to deal with Eastern Europe after war’s endEurope after war’s end