Internment of Japanese Internment of Japanese AmericansAmericans

One tragic consequence of the Pearl Harbor attack was a virulent anti-Japanese sentiment and the fear that the Japanese might act as saboteurs for Japan in case of invasion.

During World War II over 114,000 Japanese Americans were taken from their homes and forced to live in one of ten internment camps which were specifically constructed for this purpose. The camps were in Arizona, Colorado, California, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Utah. About two-thirds of the camp residents were first-generation Americans: about one-third were resident aliens, many of whom had lived in the United States for years but had been denied the right to apply for citizenship.

Residents of the camps were permitted to take into the camps only what they could carry. Other personal property had to be sold or put in storage. Property that was sold was usually sold for a fraction of its worth. Possessions in storage often were stolen or vandalized. Millions of dollars of private property were lost.

Violation of Civil LibertiesViolation of Civil Liberties

Executive Order No. 9066 Executive Order No. 9066 (1942) – (1942) – Order of FDR authorizing War Order of FDR authorizing War Department to remove Japanese Department to remove Japanese “enemy aliens” to isolated “enemy aliens” to isolated internment camps.internment camps.

Korematsu v. United States Korematsu v. United States

World War II BattlesWorld War II Battles

2 “Theaters” of War (where the 2 “Theaters” of War (where the action is): European Theater and action is): European Theater and Pacific TheaterPacific Theater

General StrategyGeneral Strategy The U.S. decided to concentrate on Europe first The U.S. decided to concentrate on Europe first

because we believed that Germany was the because we believed that Germany was the greatest threat, while holding off Japangreatest threat, while holding off Japan

Hemispheric strategy: during WWII the U.S. Hemispheric strategy: during WWII the U.S. continued FDR’s “Good Neighbor Policy” (1933) to continued FDR’s “Good Neighbor Policy” (1933) to develop a Western Hemisphere common front develop a Western Hemisphere common front against fascismagainst fascism

Japanese ExpansionJapanese Expansion After Pearl Harbor, Japan pounded American After Pearl Harbor, Japan pounded American

military bases in the military bases in the PhilippinesPhilippines, taking over the , taking over the capital city of Manila in Jan. 1942 and capital city of Manila in Jan. 1942 and overwhelming the American and Filipino overwhelming the American and Filipino defenders at Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor defenders at Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island in April and May, 1942. On the Island in April and May, 1942. On the “Bataan “Bataan Death March,” Death March,” thousands of POWs died, many thousands of POWs died, many due to torture from the Japanese. due to torture from the Japanese. General General Douglas MacArthur promisedDouglas MacArthur promised, , “I shall return!”“I shall return!”

This poster came out after the Bataan Death This poster came out after the Bataan Death March to protest Japanese brutality.March to protest Japanese brutality.

Japanese Expansion (cont.)Japanese Expansion (cont.)

Next, the Japanese took the U.S. Pacific Next, the Japanese took the U.S. Pacific islands of islands of WakeWake and and GuamGuam..

By mid-1942, the Japanese had taken over By mid-1942, the Japanese had taken over most lands and islands of the western most lands and islands of the western Pacific Ocean and Southeast AsiaPacific Ocean and Southeast Asia. Their . Their empire measured 5,000 miles from north empire measured 5,000 miles from north to south and 6,000 miles from east to to south and 6,000 miles from east to west.west.

Doolittle’s Raid (1942)Doolittle’s Raid (1942)

Was the Was the first U.S. air attack against Japan first U.S. air attack against Japan in retaliation for Pearl Harborin retaliation for Pearl Harbor

Led by Lt. Col. Jimmy DoolittleLed by Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, the , the Americans Americans bombed Japanese citiesbombed Japanese cities

Did Did little physical damage, but inflicted little physical damage, but inflicted psychological damagepsychological damage

Battle of the Coral Sea Battle of the Coral Sea

May 1942 off the northeast coast of May 1942 off the northeast coast of AustraliaAustralia

Allies succeeded in stopping the Allies succeeded in stopping the Japanese drive toward Australia in Japanese drive toward Australia in this 5-day battlethis 5-day battle

First naval battle in history where all First naval battle in history where all the fighting was done by carrier-the fighting was done by carrier-based aircraftbased aircraft

Battle of the Coral SeaBattle of the Coral Sea

Aircraft Carriers in WWIIAircraft Carriers in WWII Aircraft carriers were new to WWII and changed Aircraft carriers were new to WWII and changed

naval warfare, since now airplanes could take off naval warfare, since now airplanes could take off from ships and bomb enemy ships from ships and bomb enemy ships

Airplanes taking off from aircraft carriers could Airplanes taking off from aircraft carriers could also engage the enemy in the skies above the also engage the enemy in the skies above the oceans and bomb island basesoceans and bomb island bases

Picture: Picture: USS Essex USS Essex at Okinawa in 1945at Okinawa in 1945

Battle of Midway / June 1942Battle of Midway / June 1942 Called Midway because Midway Island is located Called Midway because Midway Island is located

about halfway between North America & Asiaabout halfway between North America & Asia U.S. advantage: we had broken the secret U.S. advantage: we had broken the secret

Japanese naval radio code and knew an attack Japanese naval radio code and knew an attack was comingwas coming

Was the Was the turning point of the war in the Pacificturning point of the war in the Pacific U.S. commander: Admiral Chester NimitzU.S. commander: Admiral Chester Nimitz

Battle of Midway (cont.)Battle of Midway (cont.) Main reasons Japan attacked Midway: it was Main reasons Japan attacked Midway: it was a a

threat because it had the closest American naval threat because it had the closest American naval & air base close to Japan, and if Japan captured & air base close to Japan, and if Japan captured Midway’s base, it could launch assaults on HawaiiMidway’s base, it could launch assaults on Hawaii

11stst Japanese goal: sought to eliminate the U.S. as Japanese goal: sought to eliminate the U.S. as a strategic power in the Pacific, thereby giving a strategic power in the Pacific, thereby giving Japan a free hand in establishing its “Great East Japan a free hand in establishing its “Great East Asia Prosperity Sphere”Asia Prosperity Sphere”

22ndnd Japanese goal: intended to occupy Midway as Japanese goal: intended to occupy Midway as part of an overall plan to extend their defensive part of an overall plan to extend their defensive perimeter in response to the Doolittle Raidperimeter in response to the Doolittle Raid

Battle of Midway (cont.)Battle of Midway (cont.)

Japanese plan: to lure the U.S. aircraft carriers Japanese plan: to lure the U.S. aircraft carriers into a trapinto a trap

Plan didn’t work because the Plan didn’t work because the U.S. had broken the U.S. had broken the Japanese codeJapanese code, enabling the forewarned U.S. , enabling the forewarned U.S. Navy to set up an ambush of its ownNavy to set up an ambush of its own

Picture: U.S. cryptologists (mostly women!)Picture: U.S. cryptologists (mostly women!)

Battle of Midway (cont.)Battle of Midway (cont.) The The U.S. sank 4 Japanese aircraft carriers and U.S. sank 4 Japanese aircraft carriers and

many other ships, crippling Japan’s navymany other ships, crippling Japan’s navy Japan also lost hundreds of airplanesJapan also lost hundreds of airplanes Ended Japan’s threat to HawaiiEnded Japan’s threat to Hawaii After Midway, and the exhausting attrition of the After Midway, and the exhausting attrition of the

Soloman Islands campaign, Japan’s shipbuilding Soloman Islands campaign, Japan’s shipbuilding and pilot training programs were unable to keep and pilot training programs were unable to keep pace in replacing their losses while the U.S. pace in replacing their losses while the U.S. steadily increased its output in both areassteadily increased its output in both areas

The Allied counteroffensive started after Midway, The Allied counteroffensive started after Midway, far earlier than Japanese military planners had far earlier than Japanese military planners had expectedexpected

Battle of Midway PicturesBattle of Midway Pictures

USS YorktownUSS Yorktown

Battle of Guadalcanal in the Soloman Islands Battle of Guadalcanal in the Soloman Islands

Very long: Aug. 1942 to Feb. 1943Very long: Aug. 1942 to Feb. 1943 First Allied offensive in the Pacific and first land First Allied offensive in the Pacific and first land

battle ag. the Japanese / started “island hopping”battle ag. the Japanese / started “island hopping” Japanese needed to be run off because they Japanese needed to be run off because they

threatened Australia from this islandthreatened Australia from this island U.S. soldiers learned how fanatical the Japanese U.S. soldiers learned how fanatical the Japanese

soldiers weresoldiers were Soldiers faced jungle rot and leechesSoldiers faced jungle rot and leeches

Strategy of Island Hopping Strategy of Island Hopping Was the Was the main American strategy in the Pacificmain American strategy in the Pacific Was used to defeat the Japanese Was used to defeat the Japanese Idea = start in the South Pacific and take over Idea = start in the South Pacific and take over

certain islands to get closer and closer to Japancertain islands to get closer and closer to Japan Strategy to Strategy to bypass heavily fortified Japanese bypass heavily fortified Japanese

positions and instead concentrate the limited positions and instead concentrate the limited Allied resources on strategically important islands Allied resources on strategically important islands that were not as well defended but were capable that were not as well defended but were capable of supporting the drive to Japanof supporting the drive to Japan

Island Hopping (cont.)Island Hopping (cont.) This strategy was possible in part because This strategy was possible in part because

the Allies used naval and air attacks to the Allies used naval and air attacks to blockade and isolate the bypassed blockade and isolate the bypassed Japanese bases, weakening their garrisons Japanese bases, weakening their garrisons and reducing the Japanese ability to and reducing the Japanese ability to resupply them; in MacArthur’s words, the resupply them; in MacArthur’s words, the troops on the bypassed islands would troops on the bypassed islands would “wither on the vine,” or be useless to the “wither on the vine,” or be useless to the JapaneseJapanese

Geographical Problems of Fighting in the Geographical Problems of Fighting in the Pacific TheaterPacific Theater

Naval battles were fought over the flow of Naval battles were fought over the flow of suppliessupplies

U.S. faced many difficulties in delivering U.S. faced many difficulties in delivering weapons, food, & medical supplies to troopsweapons, food, & medical supplies to troops

Main ways we accomplished thisMain ways we accomplished this: a strong : a strong navy and the quick building of bases on newly navy and the quick building of bases on newly conquered islands, complete with port facilities conquered islands, complete with port facilities and airfieldsand airfields

Allied Advancement Toward JapanAllied Advancement Toward Japan

The Allies won victories in the Soloman, The Allies won victories in the Soloman, Gilbert, Marshall, and Mariana Islands.Gilbert, Marshall, and Mariana Islands.

From strategic bases such as Saipan in the From strategic bases such as Saipan in the Mariana Islands, the Allies launched long-Mariana Islands, the Allies launched long-range bombing missions against Japan.range bombing missions against Japan.

General MacArthur followed through on his General MacArthur followed through on his earlier promise and liberated the earlier promise and liberated the Philippines in Oct. 1944; the largest battle Philippines in Oct. 1944; the largest battle for the Philippines was the Battle of Leyte for the Philippines was the Battle of Leyte Gulf (a naval fight).Gulf (a naval fight).

Battle of Leyte Gulf (the Philippines)Battle of Leyte Gulf (the Philippines)

In a series of engagements in and around In a series of engagements in and around the Leyte Gulf in Oct. 1944, the the Leyte Gulf in Oct. 1944, the Japanese Japanese navy was cripplednavy was crippled

Japan lost 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, Japan lost 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, and many other shipsand many other ships

First time the Japanese used the First time the Japanese used the kamikazekamikaze (“divine wind”), (“divine wind”), planes planes packed with explosives and flown by pilots packed with explosives and flown by pilots who were trained to crash them into who were trained to crash them into enemy shipsenemy ships

Battle of Iwo Jima / Feb.-March, 1945Battle of Iwo Jima / Feb.-March, 1945 Iwo Jima means “Sulfur Island”Iwo Jima means “Sulfur Island” A A small, smelly, gray, volcanic islandsmall, smelly, gray, volcanic island Iwo Jima, along with Okinawa, had been held by Iwo Jima, along with Okinawa, had been held by

Japan for centuries, and these 2 islands were the Japan for centuries, and these 2 islands were the closest to the Japanese home islandsclosest to the Japanese home islands

Strategic reason Allies wanted Iwo Jima: heavy Strategic reason Allies wanted Iwo Jima: heavy bombers had been bombing Japanese cities from bombers had been bombing Japanese cities from Saipan, & taking over the much-closer Iwo Jima Saipan, & taking over the much-closer Iwo Jima meant fighters could accompany the bombersmeant fighters could accompany the bombers

Strong Japanese defenses: 21,000 soldiers and Strong Japanese defenses: 21,000 soldiers and many pillboxes and gun emplacements connected many pillboxes and gun emplacements connected by underground passages; Japanese soldiers hid in by underground passages; Japanese soldiers hid in tunnels and cavestunnels and caves

Iwo Jima (cont.)Iwo Jima (cont.) Naval and air bombardments preceded the Naval and air bombardments preceded the

landinglanding A few days after landing A few days after landing Mount Suribachi was Mount Suribachi was

captured, the highest point on the island, and the captured, the highest point on the island, and the flag raising there became the most famous flag raising there became the most famous photograph of the warphotograph of the war

More than 6,000 Marines died, and almost all of More than 6,000 Marines died, and almost all of the 21,000 Japanese defendersthe 21,000 Japanese defenders

2 Atomic Bombs Ended the War 2 Atomic Bombs Ended the War The Manhattan Project: Developing the A-BombThe Manhattan Project: Developing the A-Bomb

Reason for name: Reason for name: originally based in NYoriginally based in NY Run by the Army and by scientists Run by the Army and by scientists

employed by the governmentemployed by the government FDR agreed to the secret research after FDR agreed to the secret research after

being told in 1939 by Albert Einstein & being told in 1939 by Albert Einstein & others that the Germans were conducting others that the Germans were conducting atomic researchatomic research

Manhattan Project (cont.)Manhattan Project (cont.)

Research and production took place at Research and production took place at many sitesmany sites

2 of the most important were Oak Ridge, 2 of the most important were Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Los Alamos, New MexicoTenn., and Los Alamos, New Mexico

Los AlamosLos Alamos: established in 1942; : established in 1942; scientists carried out their work in secrecy, scientists carried out their work in secrecy, with military police patrolling the townwith military police patrolling the town

First atomic bomb detonated near First atomic bomb detonated near Alamogordo, New MexicoAlamogordo, New Mexico, in the desert, in the desert

Trinity Site in New Mexico: Trinity Site in New Mexico: Testing of First Atomic BombTesting of First Atomic Bomb

J. Robert Oppenheimer with Major J. Robert Oppenheimer with Major Leslie GrovesLeslie Groves

FDR’s deathFDR’s death

President Roosevelt died suddenly of a President Roosevelt died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945

Truman’s Decision to Drop the BombsTruman’s Decision to Drop the Bombs

President Harry Truman was informed President Harry Truman was informed about the bombs soon after FDR’s deathabout the bombs soon after FDR’s death

Within several months had to make the Within several months had to make the decision to drop the bombsdecision to drop the bombs

Reasons for decision: Reasons for decision: to save the to save the estimated 1 million Allied soldiers who estimated 1 million Allied soldiers who would die during an invasion of Japan, to would die during an invasion of Japan, to end the war faster, and to force the end the war faster, and to force the Japanese to surrender unconditionally and Japanese to surrender unconditionally and give up their empiregive up their empire

Hiroshima / Aug. 6, 1945Hiroshima / Aug. 6, 1945 Colonel Paul TibbetsColonel Paul Tibbets, flying the B-29 , flying the B-29

bomber bomber Enola GayEnola Gay, dropped the atomic , dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima bomb on Hiroshima

A huge mushroom cloud arose A huge mushroom cloud arose Most of Hiroshima was destroyed and Most of Hiroshima was destroyed and

between between 80,000-100,000 died instantly80,000-100,000 died instantly Radiation poisoning killed thousands laterRadiation poisoning killed thousands later

HiroshimaHiroshima

Nagasaki / Aug. 9, 1945Nagasaki / Aug. 9, 1945 The The Japanese refused to surrender Japanese refused to surrender

after Hiroshima, so 3 days later, after Hiroshima, so 3 days later, another bomb was droppedanother bomb was dropped

The original target was the city of The original target was the city of Kokura, but due to bad weather Kokura, but due to bad weather Nagasaki was bombed Nagasaki was bombed insteadinstead

BothBoth Hiroshima and Nagasaki Hiroshima and Nagasaki were were industrial centers with mid-sized industrial centers with mid-sized populationspopulations

Japan’s surrenderJapan’s surrender

Japan’s emperor Hirohito urged the Japanese Japan’s emperor Hirohito urged the Japanese generals to surrender after the atomic bombingsgenerals to surrender after the atomic bombings

Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, with the , with the official surrender ceremony taking place on Sept. official surrender ceremony taking place on Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay (in Tokyo Bay (V-V-J Day, or Victory over Japan DayJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day))

War Plans (FDR & Churchill)War Plans (FDR & Churchill)

In the In the ABC-1 AGREEMENT ABC-1 AGREEMENT with with Britain, the US adopted the strategy Britain, the US adopted the strategy of of “getting Germany first.”“getting Germany first.”

If Germany was knocked out first, the If Germany was knocked out first, the combined Allied forces could be combined Allied forces could be concentrated on Japan.concentrated on Japan.

Just enough American strength would Just enough American strength would be sent to the Pacific to prevent be sent to the Pacific to prevent Japan from digging in too deeply.Japan from digging in too deeply.

European Theater of WarEuropean Theater of War Primary difficulty the U.S. faced in the first several years of Primary difficulty the U.S. faced in the first several years of

WWII in delivering weapons and other supplies to troops in WWII in delivering weapons and other supplies to troops in the European the European Theater of war = German subs sank Allied shippingTheater of war = German subs sank Allied shipping

Allies won this “Battle of the Atlantic” with convoys, radar, Allies won this “Battle of the Atlantic” with convoys, radar, and sonarand sonar

Soviets bore the brunt of fighting against GermanySoviets bore the brunt of fighting against Germany Leningrad: (St. Petersburg) was besieged by the Germans Leningrad: (St. Petersburg) was besieged by the Germans

for about 900 days (Sept. 1941 to Jan. 1944)---about ½ for about 900 days (Sept. 1941 to Jan. 1944)---about ½ million Russian civilians diedmillion Russian civilians died

Stalingrad: Nazis attempted to take over, but instead lost Stalingrad: Nazis attempted to take over, but instead lost due to the Russian winter & the Russians trapped them in due to the Russian winter & the Russians trapped them in the citythe city

North Africa CampaignNorth Africa Campaign The The Allies invaded North Africa in 1942 to Allies invaded North Africa in 1942 to

protect the Suez Canalprotect the Suez Canal, Britain’s lifeline to , Britain’s lifeline to IndiaIndia

Jeeps were first used Jeeps were first used on the sand in North on the sand in North AfricaAfrica

Allies won in North AfricaAllies won in North Africa

Italian CampaignItalian Campaign After taking Sicily, Allied troops landed in southern ItalyAfter taking Sicily, Allied troops landed in southern Italy Stunned by their army’s collapse in Sicily, the Stunned by their army’s collapse in Sicily, the Italian people Italian people

forced the dictator Mussolini to resignforced the dictator Mussolini to resign, and he was placed , and he was placed under arrestunder arrest

Hitler was determined to stop the Allies in Italy rather than Hitler was determined to stop the Allies in Italy rather than GermanyGermany

German armies occupied much of Italy for the rest of the German armies occupied much of Italy for the rest of the war, fiercely opposing Allied landings on Italy’s west coast war, fiercely opposing Allied landings on Italy’s west coast (for example(for example, “Bloody Anzio” , “Bloody Anzio” in 1944)in 1944)

The The most difficult fighting in Europe in 1943 for the most difficult fighting in Europe in 1943 for the Americans occurred in ItalyAmericans occurred in Italy

The effort to free Italy did not succeed until 1945, when The effort to free Italy did not succeed until 1945, when Germany was close to collapseGermany was close to collapse

Mussolini was assassinated by Italians in 1945Mussolini was assassinated by Italians in 1945

Fighting in the Soviet UnionFighting in the Soviet Union

Battle of Stalingrad (Aug. 1942 to Jan. Battle of Stalingrad (Aug. 1942 to Jan. 1943): Germans lost a huge army to the 1943): Germans lost a huge army to the Russian winter and as Russian POWsRussian winter and as Russian POWs

The Soviets bore the brunt of fighting The Soviets bore the brunt of fighting Hitler’s armies for much of the war, which Hitler’s armies for much of the war, which embittered Stalin and contributed to the embittered Stalin and contributed to the upcoming Cold Warupcoming Cold War

Background of D-DayBackground of D-Day Since the Since the AlliesAllies couldn’t get into Germany from couldn’t get into Germany from

Italy, it was Italy, it was decided to invade Nazi-occupied decided to invade Nazi-occupied France to reach GermanyFrance to reach Germany

Became the plan in 1944 Became the plan in 1944 (“Operation Overlord”)(“Operation Overlord”) The Allies gathered vast amounts of men and The Allies gathered vast amounts of men and

weapons in Englandweapons in England General Dwight D. EisenhowerGeneral Dwight D. Eisenhower = the = the Supreme Supreme

Allied CommanderAllied Commander in charge of D-Day in charge of D-Day

D-Day / Invasion of D-Day / Invasion of NormandyNormandy D-Day occurred on D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944June 6, 1944 Allied troops Allied troops (American, English, & Canadian) (American, English, & Canadian)

crossed the crossed the English Channel English Channel and landed on the and landed on the beaches of Normandy in northern France beaches of Normandy in northern France (Omaha, (Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold, and Sword)Utah, Juno, Gold, and Sword)

Troops met stiff resistance from the Germans, Troops met stiff resistance from the Germans, especially on Omaha Beachespecially on Omaha Beach

Casualties would have been worse if the Allies Casualties would have been worse if the Allies had not succeeded in faking out Hitler, who had not succeeded in faking out Hitler, who believed the attack was coming further north at believed the attack was coming further north at Calais and had many troops stationed thereCalais and had many troops stationed there

D-DayD-Day

After D-Day / Liberation of ParisAfter D-Day / Liberation of Paris

After 5 days of fighting, the Allies held a strip of After 5 days of fighting, the Allies held a strip of France 80 miles longFrance 80 miles long

Less than 3 weeks later, 1 million men were Less than 3 weeks later, 1 million men were ashore and moving steadily inlandashore and moving steadily inland

Free French Resistance Movement helped the Free French Resistance Movement helped the Allies liberate Paris from Nazi control- Aug. 1944Allies liberate Paris from Nazi control- Aug. 1944

Generals Patton and Bradley Generals Patton and Bradley Race Across EuropeRace Across Europe

General General George PattonGeorge Patton, a flamboyant tank , a flamboyant tank general, general, liberated Parisliberated Paris and then raced across and then raced across Europe into Germany with his Europe into Germany with his 33rdrd Army Army (Patton (Patton was eccentric and believed he was a great was eccentric and believed he was a great general due to multiple reincarnations)general due to multiple reincarnations)

General General Omar BradleyOmar Bradley, called the “soldier’s , called the “soldier’s general,” general,” charged toward Germany as head of charged toward Germany as head of the 12the 12thth Army Group Army Group

Pictures: Patton on left, Bradley on rightPictures: Patton on left, Bradley on right

Battle of the Bulge (Belgium, Battle of the Bulge (Belgium, Dec. 1944--Jan. 1945)Dec. 1944--Jan. 1945)

Was Hitler’s last offensive in the Ardennes Was Hitler’s last offensive in the Ardennes Forest of BelgiumForest of Belgium

Goal: to drive a wedge between the Allies forces Goal: to drive a wedge between the Allies forces in the Low Countries and those in France, and in the Low Countries and those in France, and eventually to capture the port city of Antwerp, eventually to capture the port city of Antwerp, which provided supplies to the Allieswhich provided supplies to the Allies

Name comes from the German tank division that Name comes from the German tank division that drove 60 miles into Allies territory, creating a drove 60 miles into Allies territory, creating a bulge in the front linesbulge in the front lines

Some American soldiers were trapped, but the Some American soldiers were trapped, but the arrival of General arrival of General Patton’s Third Army stopped Patton’s Third Army stopped Hitler’s final offensiveHitler’s final offensive

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

Germany and War on 2 FrontsGermany and War on 2 Fronts

Hitler now faced the old German Hitler now faced the old German nightmare---war on two frontsnightmare---war on two fronts

The Soviet Army, five million strong, The Soviet Army, five million strong, advanced against Germany from the advanced against Germany from the easteast

The U.S. and British armies were The U.S. and British armies were sweeping across the Rhine River into sweeping across the Rhine River into Germany from the eastGermany from the east

Eisenhower’s Order to Halt at the Elbe RiverEisenhower’s Order to Halt at the Elbe River Eisenhower decided that the U.S.-British advance Eisenhower decided that the U.S.-British advance

would concentrate on western Germany, so he would concentrate on western Germany, so he ordered them to halt at the Elbe Riverordered them to halt at the Elbe River

This meant the Soviet Army would have the honor This meant the Soviet Army would have the honor of taking over Berlin, the German capitalof taking over Berlin, the German capital

General Bernard Montgomery, Britain’s main General Bernard Montgomery, Britain’s main general, strongly disagreed with this decisiongeneral, strongly disagreed with this decision

Eisenhower’s refusal to take Berlin remains Eisenhower’s refusal to take Berlin remains controversial & caused major Cold War problemscontroversial & caused major Cold War problems

In April Soviet and U.S. soldiers met at TorgauIn April Soviet and U.S. soldiers met at Torgau

Fall of Berlin / April-May, 1945Fall of Berlin / April-May, 1945

In In mid-April 1945 the Soviet Army mid-April 1945 the Soviet Army began its drive began its drive toward Berlin, and by the 21toward Berlin, and by the 21stst had had entered the entered the city limitscity limits

2 weeks of intensive street fighting followed2 weeks of intensive street fighting followed Hitler committed suicide in a bunker in Berlin on Hitler committed suicide in a bunker in Berlin on

April 30April 30 Berlin surrendered on May 2Berlin surrendered on May 2

Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day)Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day)May 8, 1945May 8, 1945

Wartime ConferencesWartime Conferences Casablanca Conference, Jan. 1943Casablanca Conference, Jan. 1943 Cairo Conference, Nov. 22--26, 1943Cairo Conference, Nov. 22--26, 1943 Tehran Conference, Nov. 28—Dec. 1, 1943Tehran Conference, Nov. 28—Dec. 1, 1943 Yalta Conference, Feb. 1945Yalta Conference, Feb. 1945 Potsdam Conference, July 17—Aug. 2, Potsdam Conference, July 17—Aug. 2,

19451945

Casablanca ConferenceCasablanca Conference Casablanca, Morocco, Jan. 1943Casablanca, Morocco, Jan. 1943 Attendees: FDR, Churchill, Charles de Gaulle Attendees: FDR, Churchill, Charles de Gaulle

(leader of the Free French Movement)(leader of the Free French Movement) The policy of the Allies to The policy of the Allies to demand the demand the

unconditional surrender unconditional surrender of Germanyof Germany and the and the other Axis Powers was other Axis Powers was first first decided heredecided here

Churchill wanted to move against Germany by Churchill wanted to move against Germany by taking Sicily and the rest of Italy, to which FDR taking Sicily and the rest of Italy, to which FDR agreed agreed

Cairo ConferenceCairo Conference Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 22—26, 1943Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 22—26, 1943 Attendees: FDR, Churchill, Chiang Kai-shek of Attendees: FDR, Churchill, Chiang Kai-shek of

China (Stalin refused to attend, since at the time China (Stalin refused to attend, since at the time Japan and the Soviets had a peace pact)Japan and the Soviets had a peace pact)

Said the Said the Allies would continue deploying military Allies would continue deploying military force until Japan’s unconditional surrender force until Japan’s unconditional surrender and and Japan would be stripped of the islands and lands Japan would be stripped of the islands and lands it had taken over it had taken over

Tehran ConferenceTehran Conference Tehran, Iran, Nov. 28—Dec. 1, 1943Tehran, Iran, Nov. 28—Dec. 1, 1943 Attendees: FDR, Churchill, StalinAttendees: FDR, Churchill, Stalin First of the wartime conferences between the First of the wartime conferences between the

“Big 3” (U.S., Britain, Soviet Union)“Big 3” (U.S., Britain, Soviet Union) Main outcome: Main outcome: the commitment to the opening the commitment to the opening

of a second front against Nazi Germany by the of a second front against Nazi Germany by the Western AlliesWestern Allies by May 1, 1944 (this by May 1, 1944 (this became D-became D-DayDay---the Normandy invasion)---the Normandy invasion)

Yalta ConferenceYalta Conference Yalta, in Crimea in the Soviet Union, Feb. 1945Yalta, in Crimea in the Soviet Union, Feb. 1945 Attendees: FDR, Churchill, StalinAttendees: FDR, Churchill, Stalin Was held mainly to Was held mainly to discuss re-establishment of war-torn European discuss re-establishment of war-torn European

nations nations FDR was sick and frail, and was criticized for giving too much FDR was sick and frail, and was criticized for giving too much

leeway to Stalin (for example, the eastern European nations would leeway to Stalin (for example, the eastern European nations would be “friendly” to the Soviet Union; be “friendly” to the Soviet Union; Stalin promised to hold free Stalin promised to hold free elections in Polandelections in Poland, but this never happened), but this never happened)

Stalin agreed that the Stalin agreed that the Soviet Union would join the war against Soviet Union would join the war against Japan 3 months after the conclusion of the war against Germany Japan 3 months after the conclusion of the war against Germany (in exchange for this, (in exchange for this, Stalin would be given spheres of influence in Stalin would be given spheres of influence in parts of Asia)parts of Asia)

Confirmed the policy adopted at Casablanca of demanding Confirmed the policy adopted at Casablanca of demanding Germany’s unconditional surrenderGermany’s unconditional surrender

Potsdam ConferencePotsdam Conference Potsdam, Germany (near Berlin)Potsdam, Germany (near Berlin) July 17—Aug. 2, 1945July 17—Aug. 2, 1945 Attendees: “Big 3”: Harry Truman, Churchill, Clement Attendees: “Big 3”: Harry Truman, Churchill, Clement

Attlee (Britain), Stalin (also Chinese Nationalist leader Attlee (Britain), Stalin (also Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek)Chiang Kai-shek)

Discussed post-war arrangements in EuropeDiscussed post-war arrangements in Europe Potsdam Declaration by Truman, Churchill, and Chiang Kai-Potsdam Declaration by Truman, Churchill, and Chiang Kai-

shek of China shek of China demanded the unconditional surrender of demanded the unconditional surrender of JapanJapan (the war in Europe was already over), (the war in Europe was already over), or Japan would or Japan would face “prompt and utter destruction” face “prompt and utter destruction” (meaning atomic (meaning atomic bombing, although this was not known to the world)bombing, although this was not known to the world)