Download America and World War II

The United States & World War II
1941 - 1945
Facts to know about The Untied
States & WWII
• The US entered the War in 1941 after the Japanese attacked
Pearl Harbor.
• Because Japan was allied with Germany and Italy, the US
declared war on those countries too.
• Britain, France and the Soviet Union were the US’s primary
allies.
• The US won the war because of its great industrial potential,
scientific advancements and the numbers of men in its
military.
• The war ended in 1945
What to know for the Regents
• FDR’s foreign policy towards Germany & Japan
– Change in policy away from isolationism and neutrality
– Lend Lease Program
– “Arsenal for Democracy”
• How did the war effect Americans?
– Japanese Interment
– Movement of Blacks and Women
• America’s Victory
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D-Day (European invasion)
The dropping of the Atomic Bombs on Japan
The Nuremburg Trails
Start of the Cold War with the Soviet Union
• The difference between World War I and World War II
– Expect a trick question in Part A!
What the Regents ASSUMES you already know
- and might not ask in any direct way
• Your lessons from Global History
– You know the difference between World War I and World War II
– Fascist governments in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany and Japan
threatened democratic republics in the world
– Italy, Japan and Germany invaded and occupied parts of Africa,
Asia and Europe.
• The use of modern weapons made these invasion fast and bloody
• Fascist ideas motivated these invasions.
– Germany conquered countries and killed 12 million Jews, Gypsies,
Poles, Catholics, homosexuals, political opponents and others in
what was later called, The Holocaust.
• Again like the war itself, modern technology was used to kill these people.
– Japan also exacted horrible atrocities upon the Chinese people.
– The ideals of democracy were truly threatened at this time.
What to remember for the Regents
• During World War II and after, American History looks like
Global History — But you’re taking the US Regents!
– Remember to look at these times as an American whenever
answering Regents questions
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How did American foreign policy change?
How did America react to the Pearl Harbor Attack?
How did the American war effort win World War II?
Why did America drop atomic bombs?
What did American women and blacks do during the war?
What happened to Japanese-Americans in America?
• Your answers to questions about WWII and the Cold War
MUST focus on America and Americans - Not Germany;
Not Japan or China, Not the Soviet Union.
(Better for you if you understand that this is a faulty way to study history)