World War IIWorld War II

OverviewOverview

1939-1945 Worldwide military conflict1939-1945 Worldwide military conflict 2 Conflicts: Japan in Asia, Germany in 2 Conflicts: Japan in Asia, Germany in

EuropeEurope An estimated 40-60 million people An estimated 40-60 million people

dieddied Civilian populations as targetsCivilian populations as targets 56 Nations involved56 Nations involved Two “Super Powers” emerged: U.S. Two “Super Powers” emerged: U.S.

and Soviet Unionand Soviet Union

The PlayersThe Players Japan aims to be richest nation in the Japan aims to be richest nation in the

world-invades Manchuria 1931-2 and world-invades Manchuria 1931-2 and China 1937 China 1937

Germany- Nazi rise to power fueled by Germany- Nazi rise to power fueled by resentments over Treaty of Versaillesresentments over Treaty of Versailles

Italy- Fascist dictator Mussolini seized Italy- Fascist dictator Mussolini seized power in 1922, invaded Ethiopia 1935power in 1922, invaded Ethiopia 1935

Spain- Francisco Franco is supported by Spain- Francisco Franco is supported by Hitler in Spanish Civil WarHitler in Spanish Civil War

Soviet Union- Led by Joseph Stalin, first an Soviet Union- Led by Joseph Stalin, first an ally of Germany, then invaded by ally of Germany, then invaded by Germany in 1941Germany in 1941

Pearl HarborPearl Harbor US focus on support of European alliesUS focus on support of European allies 9/27/1940, Japan officially joins “Axis Alliance”9/27/1940, Japan officially joins “Axis Alliance” Japan aims to conquer all of SE AsiaJapan aims to conquer all of SE Asia Roosevelt freezes Japanese assets and cuts off oil Roosevelt freezes Japanese assets and cuts off oil

after Japan invades Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, after Japan invades Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia)Cambodia)

Dec. 7, 1941 Japan responds by attacking Pearl Dec. 7, 1941 Japan responds by attacking Pearl HarborHarbor

200 American planes badly damaged200 American planes badly damaged 2,400 Americans dead, 1,200 wounded2,400 Americans dead, 1,200 wounded Same day Japan struck U.S. bases in Philippines, Same day Japan struck U.S. bases in Philippines,

Guam, and Wake IslandGuam, and Wake Island Dec. 8 1941, US joined WWIIDec. 8 1941, US joined WWII

At HomeAt Home

Primary focus became PRODUCTIONPrimary focus became PRODUCTION Numerous agencies emerge under the War Numerous agencies emerge under the War

Powers Act to sell the war and prevent Powers Act to sell the war and prevent subversion of the war effortsubversion of the war effort

War cost- $250 million/dayWar cost- $250 million/day New Deal agencies vanishedNew Deal agencies vanished War effort created largest economic boom War effort created largest economic boom

in the history of any nationin the history of any nation Federal government begins spending vast Federal government begins spending vast

amounts of money on defense related amounts of money on defense related productionproduction

Economy and IndustryEconomy and Industry 17 million new jobs created, gains distributed 17 million new jobs created, gains distributed

unevenlyunevenly American workers were 2x as productive as the American workers were 2x as productive as the

Germans, 5x the JapaneseGermans, 5x the Japanese Government investments in the military benefited Government investments in the military benefited

and transformed many regions…..these regions and transformed many regions…..these regions became reliant on defense productionbecame reliant on defense production

Large numbers of women and minorities joined Large numbers of women and minorities joined the workforce in newly opened positionsthe workforce in newly opened positions

Strikers and labor unions gained power before the Strikers and labor unions gained power before the war by having the upper hand in negotiations…war by having the upper hand in negotiations…labor demandlabor demand

Food and FamiliesFood and Families

American farmers couldn’t keep up with American farmers couldn’t keep up with international demand or domestic marketinternational demand or domestic market

Food, gas and clothing Food, gas and clothing rationedrationed by by government = everyone was affected by government = everyone was affected by the warthe war

Diet changes, packaged meals (Kraft mac Diet changes, packaged meals (Kraft mac and cheese)and cheese)

Marriages and divorces skyrocketedMarriages and divorces skyrocketed Childcare became a problem with both Childcare became a problem with both

parents workingparents working

Fear of Japanese invasion and suspected loyalty Fear of Japanese invasion and suspected loyalty of Japanese Americans led to the worst violation of Japanese Americans led to the worst violation of civil liberties during the war.of civil liberties during the war.

Financial assets of 1Financial assets of 1stst generation Japanese generation Japanese American’s frozen 12/8/1941American’s frozen 12/8/1941

112,000 people were forced to relocate to 112,000 people were forced to relocate to internment camps, some for up to 4 yearsinternment camps, some for up to 4 years

Many families received no more than 1week Many families received no more than 1week notice to close businesses and homesnotice to close businesses and homes

Internment camps located in Western military Internment camps located in Western military areas, small rooms, army cots, no lights, stoves areas, small rooms, army cots, no lights, stoves or washrooms, “American concentration camps”or washrooms, “American concentration camps”

Formal apology and reparations given in 1988Formal apology and reparations given in 1988 Topaz, UtahTopaz, Utah

Internment CampsInternment Camps

Weapons and TechnologyWeapons and Technology

Airplanes and tanks gave mobility Airplanes and tanks gave mobility and firepower = mobile warand firepower = mobile war

Two-way radios transmission and Two-way radios transmission and other improvements in other improvements in communicationcommunication

Sub-sinking destroyers, landing craft Sub-sinking destroyers, landing craft and amphibious vehicles, trucks and and amphibious vehicles, trucks and jeepsjeeps

Chemical and nuclear weaponsChemical and nuclear weapons

Allied OffensiveAllied Offensive

Allies invade Europe, Africa and PacificAllies invade Europe, Africa and Pacific Allies win major victories in France, Italy , Allies win major victories in France, Italy ,

Tunisia, Egypt, Belgium, and Soviet UnionTunisia, Egypt, Belgium, and Soviet Union It takes 6 months after Pearl Harbor to It takes 6 months after Pearl Harbor to

regain military superiority in Pacificregain military superiority in Pacific Map pg 695Map pg 695 General Douglas MacArthur in Pacific, General Douglas MacArthur in Pacific,

Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton in Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton in EuropeEurope

HolocaustHolocaust

U.S. government released little info U.S. government released little info during the warduring the war

Major news sources treated killings Major news sources treated killings as minor news itemsas minor news items

Government resisted intervention, Government resisted intervention, thought it a diversion of valuable thought it a diversion of valuable resourcesresources

Killed 6 million Jews, and millions of Killed 6 million Jews, and millions of other “inferior races”other “inferior races”

The EndThe End

Unconditional surrenderUnconditional surrender Europe:Europe:

• Italy surrendered Sept. 8 1943Italy surrendered Sept. 8 1943• Bombing of German cities -> several hundred Bombing of German cities -> several hundred

thousand civilian deathsthousand civilian deaths• Hitler commits suicide & Germany surrendersHitler commits suicide & Germany surrenders• VE Day May 8, 1945VE Day May 8, 1945

Asia:Asia:• MAJOR bombing campaign, Tokyo & othersMAJOR bombing campaign, Tokyo & others• Controversy over Russia and atomic bombsControversy over Russia and atomic bombs• Aug. 6 1945 Hiroshima, Aug. 9 NagasakiAug. 6 1945 Hiroshima, Aug. 9 Nagasaki• VJ Day Aug. 14 1945VJ Day Aug. 14 1945