Victory in Europe Victory in Europe and the Pacificand the Pacific

Good Prevails Over Evil!Good Prevails Over Evil!

Nazis DefeatedNazis Defeated

• Hitler commits suicide – May 7, Hitler commits suicide – May 7, 19451945

• VE Day – Victory in Europe – May 8, VE Day – Victory in Europe – May 8, 19451945

Reasons for DefeatReasons for Defeat

• Location of GermanyLocation of Germany• Hitler had complete control over Hitler had complete control over

military decisions – Made poor choicesmilitary decisions – Made poor choices• Underestimated the Soviet UnionUnderestimated the Soviet Union• Productivity of the USProductivity of the US• Allied bombings hinder German Allied bombings hinder German

productivityproductivity• Lack of oil limits LuftwaffeLack of oil limits Luftwaffe

Struggle for the PacificStruggle for the Pacific

• Bataan Death March – 10,000 Bataan Death March – 10,000 Filipino soldiers forced to march 65 Filipino soldiers forced to march 65 milesmiles

• Island Hopping – Island Hopping – Recapture Japanese held islands Recapture Japanese held islands while passing others bywhile passing others by

– Islands serve as stepping stones Islands serve as stepping stones to meet next objectiveto meet next objective

Defeat of JapanDefeat of Japan

• Kamikaze – Pilots who undertook Kamikaze – Pilots who undertook suicide missions, crashing their suicide missions, crashing their planes into American Warshipsplanes into American Warships

Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project

• Create an Atomic Bomb in New MexicoCreate an Atomic Bomb in New Mexico• Should we use it?Should we use it?• Issued a warning to JapanIssued a warning to Japan• Hiroshima – Aug 6, 1945 destroyed Hiroshima – Aug 6, 1945 destroyed 4 sq. miles – 70,000 people4 sq. miles – 70,000 people• Nagasaki – Aug 8 1945 – 40,000 peopleNagasaki – Aug 8 1945 – 40,000 people• Aug 10 – Emperor Hirohito surrendersAug 10 – Emperor Hirohito surrenders• Sept 2 – Formal surrender on USS MissouriSept 2 – Formal surrender on USS Missouri• http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=0n1rqHo4XyMv=0n1rqHo4XyMvideo

The Effects of WWIIThe Effects of WWII• 50 Million dead50 Million dead• Destruction of TerritoryDestruction of Territory• 20 million refugees20 million refugees• Horrors of the HolocaustHorrors of the Holocaust

– Nuremburg Trials – Leaders held accountableNuremburg Trials – Leaders held accountable• OccupationOccupation• United NationsUnited Nations• Creation of Israel – Restructuring of Middle East linesCreation of Israel – Restructuring of Middle East lines

– Israel Created – In part because of the HolocaustIsrael Created – In part because of the Holocaust– Gives Jews a place of their own – Angers many in the Middle EastGives Jews a place of their own – Angers many in the Middle East– Middle East is divided - redraw national lines without regard for Middle East is divided - redraw national lines without regard for

ethnicity, religion, or culture – Creates major world problemsethnicity, religion, or culture – Creates major world problems• Cold War – Different opinion for EuropeCold War – Different opinion for Europe

– StalinStalin• Spread CommunismSpread Communism• Create a buffer zone against GermanyCreate a buffer zone against Germany