Download Warm Up # 60 -- Allied Response - British-Honors

Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
World War II
Section 2
MAIN IDEA
The early years of World War II went poorly for the Allies. But after the United
States joined the war, the Allies soon recovered and began making gains against
the Axis.
Key Terms and People
Erwin Rommel German general who lead the German-Italian force in North Africa
Battle of El Alamein key battle in North Africa won by the British in October 1942
Dwight D. Eisenhower commander of American forces, defeated Rommel in Africa
Siege of Leningrad German blockade in the winter of 1941–42 which resulted in the
deaths of one million Russian civilians
Battle of Stalingrad crushing defeat of German forces, led to a turning point in the war
Douglas MacArthur commander of American forces in the Pacific
Bataan Death March brutal forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war by
their Japanese captors
Battle of Midway key Allied victory in the Pacific which weakened Japan’s navy
Battle of Guadalcanal lengthy battle in the Pacific resulting in an Allied victory
kamikaze any Japanese pilot who loaded his plane with explosives and crashed into an
Allied ship, sacrificing his own life
Taking Notes
As you read the summary, use a graphic organizer like this one to record
the main instances of Allied success in the war in 1942 and 1943.
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World War II
Section 2
Section Summary
EARLY AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT
One key factor in winning World War II was control
of the Atlantic Ocean. The Allies depended on
supplies shipped by sea. German U-boats sank
hundreds of Allied ships. The American people got
involved. Millions of men volunteered or were drafted
to serve and U.S. factories produced goods and
weapons for the war. As a result, many women and
African Americans had new job opportunities.
However, those of German, Italian, and Japanese
descent lost some rights. By 1943, the Allies had more
ships and planes with more firepower. They were also
able to break German codes to locate German Uboats. This kept Allied supply lines open on the
Atlantic.
WAR IN NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY
Another important battleground during the war lay in
North Africa, because the Suez Canal was a vital link
to oil from the Middle East. After defeating Italian
forces in Egypt, the British were on the verge of
controlling all of North Africa. Hitler sent troops to
help Italy there; the joined forces were called the
Afrika Corps. German general Erwin Rommel earned
the nickname the Desert Fox for pushing British
forces out of Libya. However, British troops
weakened Axis power with their victory at the Battle
of El Alamein (el-a-luh-MAYN) in Egypt.
Meanwhile, Allied leaders planned for the
American troops’ arrival overseas. Instead of going
directly to Europe, many American soldiers went to
the French colonies in western North Africa. After
months of fighting, Rommel surrendered to troops
commanded by American general Dwight D.
Eisenhower. North Africa was claimed for the Allies.
The Allies then captured Sicily, forced dictator Benito
Mussolini from power, and moved into mainland Italy
toward Europe.
A TURNING POINT IN THE SOVIET UNION
In 1941 Hitler ordered a blockade of Leningrad, in the
Soviet Union. Known as the Siege of Leningrad, it
Why was control of the
Atlantic Ocean important?
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_______________________
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Circle the name of an
important North African
link to oil from the Middle
East.
Why did civilians die during
the Siege of Leningrad?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
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Interactive Reader and Study Guide
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World War II
Section 2
was designed to weaken the city by preventing
supplies from entering. A million Russian civilians
died, with as many as 4,000 people starving to death
each day. In 1942 German forces seemed to be on the
verge of taking Stalingrad, a large port city where
military equipment was made and shipped, along with
other goods, throughout the Soviet Union. The Battle
of Stalingrad was one of the war’s most brutal. A
million Russian soldiers died defending the city. In
the end it was a defeat for Hitler. It was an important
turning point in the Allies’ favor, and the beginning of
the end for Hitler.
A TURNING POINT IN THE PACIFIC
In the Pacific, the Allies were at first outmatched, as
they had to rebuild the fleet lost at Pearl Harbor and
were focused mostly on Europe. The better-equipped
Japanese forced American troops led by Douglas
MacArthur out of the Philippines in 1942. Following
the American surrender of the Philippines, the
Japanese forced 70,000 prisoners to march up the
Bataan Peninsula to a distant prison camp. During this
Bataan Death March, heat, lack of food and water,
and violence from their captors killed thousands of
American and Filipino prisoners.
The Japanese easily conquered Hong Kong,
Singapore, Burma, and many islands in the Pacific.
Japan had a strong navy and the advantage of fighting
close to home. But this advantage did not last for long.
Americans had broken the secret Japanese code
used to send messages. With information on the date
and location of Japanese attacks, the Allies won
important victories at the Battle of Midway and the
Battle of Guadalcanal. The Battle of Midway
changed the balance of power in the Pacific. The
Allies went on the offensive.
Allied forces used a strategy that became known as
“island hopping.” They captured weak targets and
attempted to isolate Japanese strongholds. The Allies
would then use these areas as bases as they moved
closer and closer to Japan. Japanese forces, in turn,
sank many Allied ships using kamikaze pilots to
crash planes loaded with explosives into the ships.
Before long, Japan’s navy was nearly destroyed.
Why would the loss of
Stalingrad have been a
major threat to the Allies?
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Why was the Battle of
Midway important?
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What is island hopping?
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Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Full Survey Chapter 28
337
Interactive Reader and Study Guide