Download return to isolationism after ww1…

RETURN TO ISOLATIONISM AFTER WW1…

U.S. returns to it’s traditional isolationism policy after WW1

More concerned with issues at home than abroad

Wanted to go back to making $$ through international
trade
ORIGINS OF WW2:
 1.
Rise of Dictators (graphic organizer)
 2.
Failure of the League of Nations
 3.
Germany invades Poland
 4.
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
1. RISE OF DICTAORS:
Adolf Hitler
Dictator
The
“Fuhrer”
Benito
Mussolini
Dictator
“Il Duce”
Hideki Tojo
Prime
Minister
“The
Razor”
Joseph
Stalin
Dictator
“Man of
Steel”
2. FAILURE OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

League of Nations failed to stop Hitler from rebuilding
Germany's army and taking over territory in Europe
(violates the Treaty of Versailles)

Encouraged APPEASEMENT: giving in to satisfy the
demands of a potential enemy (make them happy to
prevent a war)

Hitler saw this policy as weakness- convinced that he
could not be stopped
3. GERMANY INVADES POLAND

1939- Hitler demands new territory in Poland

This time, Britain and France refuse to
“appease” him on his request

Hitler and Stalin agree to sign a NONAGRESSION PACT that will secretly split Poland
after Germany conquers it

September 1, 1939, Hitler invades Poland and
war is declared by Britain and France
NON-AGRESSION PACT
“BLITZKREIG”

To overtake Poland, Germany unveiled a new type of
warfare:

Blitzkrieg: rapid coordinated attacks by airplanes, tanks, and
troops
AMERICA PRESEVES A CAUTIOUS
NEUTRALITY

USA is too busy recovering from the Great Depression to get
involved in oversea affairs

To avoid problems, U.S. issues Neutrality Acts that prohibit
Americans from selling weapons and traveling to nations at war

CASH-AND-CARRY: US can sell non military goods to countries that
oppose war, but on a “cash only” basis (avoid another Lusitania)

In 1941, FDR issued the LEND-LEASE ACT, which would lease or lend
war supplies to any country who ‘s defense protected the USA.
LEND-LEASE ACT
FDR said “If your
neighbor’s house was on
fire, you don’t sell him a
hose. You lend it to him
and take it back after the
fire is out.”
ARSENAL OF
DEMOCRACY: U.S.
WAS CONSIDERED
THIS BECAUSE WE
POSSESSED THE
ECONOMIC
RESOURCES TO
PRODUCE MASSIVE
AMOUNTS OF WAR
MATERIALS.
FDR WARNS US OF GROWING
UNREST IN THE WORLD:

While Hitler was taking territory in Europe, Japan was
invading China (1937)

FDR warned the US that we should ISOLATE ourselves
from all conflict and boycott all aggressors

Britain attempted to help China by sending them
supplies, but the route was cut off

US volunteer fighter pilots known as the FLYING TIGERS
helped fly in supplies to aid China, as well as destroy
Japanese aircraft to support China
FDR HELPS GREAT BRITAIN:
 U.S.
helps G.B. with Lend-lease Act (war supplies)
 1941-
FDR meets with British Prime Minister WINSTON
CHURCHILL- together they sign the ATLANTIC
CHARTER- says that both countries sought NO territorial
gain, want freedom of the seas, and an end to war
 **FDR
feels that U.S. entry into the war was inevitable
U.S.- JAPANESE TENSIONS GROW
 FDR
cuts off all trade with Japan after they continue
to invade Manchuria and Indonesia
 Roosevelt offers to resume trade if Japan withdraws
from China- they refuse
 JAPAN ATTACKS PEARL HARBOR- DECEMBER 7TH, 1941
 Japan believed a surprise attack would eliminate
U.S. naval power in the Pacific and allow them to
strengthen their own Pacific position
PEARL HARBOR

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which shall live in
infamy” –FDR
The attack
killed or injured
approx. 6000
Americans
https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=aYHgCPmGnAg
U.S. ENTERS THE WAR: 1941
 Dec.
8, 1941- U.S. declares war on Japan
 Four
days later, Germany & Italy, allies of Japan,
declare war on the U.S.
 USA
is now involved in a 2 front war- ATLANTIC &
PACIFIC
USA realizes
they are not
as far away
from the
conflict as
they once
thought…
AMERICA AT WAR: THE HOME FRONT

Paying for the war- issued WAR BONDS (the war cost $350 billon- 10
times more than WW1)

Rationing of food and raw materials

Ration coupon books were issued to families to control
consumption

Industrial/factory production increased and brought an end to the
Great Depression

Victory Gardens: U.S. citizens plant vegetable gardens to increase
food supply
U.S. FINANCING THE WAR
HOMEFRONT SUPPORT

OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION :
created pro-allied propagandacontrolled the content/images of
war messages.

Used the radio, movies, posters

Only allowed support of the war
( **remember Schenk v. U.S.)
WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE

For Women the war brought not only sacrifice, but also
new opportunities for jobs and participation in the war.

Women replaced jobs formerly held by men now in
military service
ROSIE THE RIVETER
Rosie the Riveter
American cartoon
and poster. c1943,
Celebrating the
rising number of
women employed in
factories during
World War II.
MINORITIES ENTER THE WORKFORCE
 Like women,
members of
Minorities filled the
workforce to
replace men sent
overseas
 Moved north and
west to take
factory jobs
MINORITY OPPORTUNITY & OBSTACLES

African American soldiers played a significant role in WWII even though they
were forced to serve in segregated units. They had to battle the enemy overseas
and prejudice at home.

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN-African American fighter group in Air Corps. They provided air
escort for pilots on bombing missions. They performed so well they were often
specifically requested
EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802

EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802 was signed by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt on June 25, 1941, to prohibit racial
discrimination in the national defense industry. It was the
first federal action, though not a law, to promote equal
opportunity and prohibit employment discrimination in
the United States.

“There shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in
defense industries and in Government, because of race, creed,
color, or national origin.“

(Executive Order 9981 was an executive order issued on July 26,
1948, by President Harry S. Truman. It abolished racial
discrimination in the United States Armed Forces and eventually led
to the end of segregation in the services.)
JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMPS

The attack on Pear Harbor created fear and resentment of Japanese
Americans.

In Feb. 1942, FDR issued Executive Order 9066- Requires Japanese
Americans to Relocate to designate internment camps where they
lived in primitive and crowded conditions.

FDR considered it a homeland security issue and a military necessity.

Korematsu v. U.S. – Supreme Court upheld Roosevelt’s order due to
the fact that civil liberties can be violated in a time of war.
JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMPS
WAR IN EUROPE (ATLANTIC THEATER)

FDR focuses on Germany Before Japan

Hitler made his greatest mistake invading the Soviet Union before
defeating Britain.

Hitler trapped French and British troops at the port of Dunkirk
(near English Channel) and thought he had defeated both.

Before getting their surrender, Hitler removed his troops and
338,000 British and French troops escaped, known as
“The Miracle at Dunkirk”
CAMPAIGN IN AFRICA & ITALY

1942- Churchill convinced USA to attack Germany forces in N. Africa first,
then cross the Mediterranean and head into Italy

GEORGE PATTON- U.S. commander in N. Africa/Italy known for his high
survival rates and his success in using tanks

His troops captured large numbers of enemy soldiers

He had also served under General John J. Pershing in WW1
THE ALLIES INVADE FRANCE & GERMANY

By 1944, Germany suspected the allies would attempt to
invade/liberate France

June 6, 1944- known as D-DAY- 156,000 allied troops invaded 5
beaches on the NW coast of France at NORMANDY

DWIGHT EISENHOWER was the commander of the operation, and
he named General OMAR BRADLEY to lead the first American army
to land in France
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=82RTzi5Vt7w
"D" is short for "Day" in military terms, and D-Day signifies a particular date when a
major operation was to begin. The days before a D-Day is signified as D-1, D-2, D-3,
etc., and the days after a D-Day are D+1, D+2, D+3, etc.
WWII: NORMANDY: D-DAY.
American medics administer
first aid to soldiers wounded in
the initial attack on a
beachhead, in Northern France,
June 1944.
WWII: D-DAY/NORMANDY.
American troops wading ashore in
Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
The breakdown of US casualties was 1465 dead, 3184 wounded, 1928 missing
and 26 captured. Of the total US figure, 2499 casualties were from the US
airborne troops (238 of them being deaths). The casualties at Utah Beach were
relatively light: 197, including 60 missing. However, the US 1st and 29th Divisions
together suffered around 2000 casualties at Omaha Beach.
BATTLE OF THE BULGE
 After D-DAY, the allies liberated Paris in August 1944.
 Dec. 1944- The Germans launched a surprise counter-attack in BATTLE OF THE
BULGE- largest battle in WWII and largest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army
 General OMAR BRADLEY led his troops for the final offensive into Germany
 American, British, and French forces invaded Germany from the west, while
the USSR invaded from the east
 May 1945- USSR captures German capital of Berlin
WWII: WEST FRONT, 1945.
U.S. Infantrymen of the 90th
Division pass concrete dragon's
teeth of the Siegfried Line of
Habscheid, Germany, as they move
to the front in February 1945.
WWII: BATTLE OF THE
BULGE.
Tanks and infantrymen of
the 82nd Airborne Division
push through the snow in
Belgium: December 1944.
VERNON BAKER

VERNON BAKER was one of the 1st African American soldiers to see
combat in WW2.

Spring, 1945- Baker, on his own, got control of 3 German machine gun
nests, 2 observation posts, and 2 bunkers

His own platoon awarded him with the Distinguished Service Cross for his
selfless sacrifice

52 yrs. later, President Clinton finally awarded him the CONGRESSIONAL
MEDAL OF HONOR
The War in Europe Ends
THE WAR IN EUROPE ENDS- “VE DAY”

Soviets take Berlin – Stalin wanted to make it there
before the Allies

Hitler commits suicide

Germany surrenders May 8, 1945
VE Day – Victory in Europe

Yalta Conference – Feb 1945

Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill meet to discuss the end
of the war

They decide to split Germany and Berlin into four
zones, each zone would be controlled by the major
Allies (more info to come in the Cold War…)
WWII: BERLIN FALLEN, 1945.
Two Russian soldiers hoisting the Soviet
flag on the destroyed Reichstag building.
Picture taken May 1945 by J. Cheldej.
NEW YORK: V-E DAY, 1945.
Crowds fill Times Square, New York City,
on V-E Day, 7 May 1945.
THE HOLOCAUST
THE HOLOCAUST

Genocide- mass murder of an entire race/nationality

The HOLOCAUST, or FINAL SOLUTION, was Hitler’s attempt at genocide of the Jews
during WW2

Hitler blamed all of Germany’s problems on the Jewish people

The Nazi party exterminated the Jews in CONCENTRATION CAMPS all across Europemost were killed with poison gas, some were forced to work and starved to death

An estimated 6 million people were murdered by the Nazi party’s “final solution”
USA LIBERATES THE CONCENTRATION
CAMPS
THE WAR IN ASIA & THE PACIFIC (PACIFIC
THEATRE)



While the allies were fighting in
Europe, the Americans remained at
war with Japan
Geography played a major role on
WW2- USA and Japan were
separated by the large Pacific Ocean
Japan had been achieving many
victories (Indonesia, Singapore, Hong
Kong, Philippines, Burma, etc.) and
was threatening Australia, India,
Midway, and Hawaii
THAT’S A
LOOOONG
WAY!!
BATAAN DEATH MARCH

Japan had captured both U.S. and Filipino forces in the Philippines in 1942

The Japanese forced their prisoners to undertake a 60 mile march through
the jungle, called THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH

The prisoners faced starvation, disease, torture, extreme sun exposure, and
no water

Some were shot, bayoneted, beheaded, or just left along the route to dieabout half of the 5,000 Americans died
THE WAR TURNS AGAINST JAPAN

The U.S. gains Naval superiority in the Pacific with a strategy of “ISLAND HOPPING” – Liberating
Pacific islands from Japanese one island at a time.
The Battle of Midway was a Turning Point in the War because America went on the offense. Midway
is a tiny mid Pacific island. U.S. Navy had deciphered secret Japanese codes and were aware they
were planning a surprise attack. Under the leadership of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the U.S. destroyed 4
Japanese aircraft carriers effectively ending Japan’s strength in the Pacific.
Americans raise
the flag after high
casualties at Iwo
Jima- an island
taken during
“island hopping”
NATIVE AMERICAN CONTRIBUTION

Native Americans of the Navajo tribe played a key role in Pacific.

Navajo Indians volunteered and allowed the military to use their language to create a secret code
for communication. They were called the Navajo Code Talkers
By using the Navajo
language, American
troops could transmit
messages in code by
radio or phone that
the Japanese could
not break
TECHNOLOGY IN WWII

The (OSRD) Office of Scientific Research and Development’s purpose was to create successful U.S.
technology in WWII

Radar- detect moving objects in the air

Sonar- detect moving objects in the water

Code breaking techniques

Penicillin to treat soldier’s battle wounds

AND……..

The Atomic bomb
THE DECISION TO USE THE ATOMIC BOMB

In 1939, a famous scientist, Albert Einstein warned president Roosevelt in a letter that the
Germans were possibly developing an atomic bomb.

Roosevelt gathered American, British and Canadian Scientist in a classified mission to develop
an atomic bomb, known as The Manhattan Project.

Shortly after Germany was defeated, Roosevelt dies of a heart attack and the vice president,
Harry Truman takes over.

Truman decides to use the newly developed Atomic bomb
on Japan to ……

1. Stop any further American casualties and

2. QUICKLY Bring the war to an end.
President
Harry Truman
U.S. BOMBS JAPAN AND ENDS WWII

On August 6th , 1945 an atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima. Then three days later
another atomic bomb exploded over Nagasaki.

Over 230,000 people were killed. Japan finally surrenders
Crew that
helped
drop the
atomic
bombs on
Japan
NUREMBERG TRIALS 1945-1946

The liberation of concentration camps in Europe revealed millions of dead and
Nazi brutality.

The Allies put surviving Nazi leaders on trial for “Crimes against humanity” in
Nuremberg, Germany. Many were found guilty and hanged or jailed.

Nuremberg trials demonstrated that individuals are ALWAYS responsible for
their actions, EVEN in times of war.
NUREMBERG TRIALS
defendents (front row, L-R): Hermann Goering, Rudolf Hess, Joachim von Ribbentrop, and Wilhelm Keitel. (Back
row, L-R): Karl Doenitz, Roeder, Baldur von Schirach, Fritz Sauckel, and Alfred Jodl.
22 Nazi leaders prosecuted= 3 acquitted, 7 prison, 12 sentenced to
death by hanging, in later trials= 24 more Nazi executions
Similar trails held in Tokyo too.
NUREMBERG TRIALS“End of the Road” 
DENAZIFICATION AFTER THE WAR

After the war, Germany was divided into FOUR zones by the U.S., Britain, France and the Soviet
Union.

Each country occupied one zone and split the capital city of Berlin into 4 zones as well.

Programs were introduced explaining the evils of Nazi beliefs to the German people.
GERMANY
Capital city, Berlin
CREATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
The UNITED NATIONS:

Founded in 1945 after WWII

Maintains peace keeping troops to use force when necessary

Replaced the ineffective League of Nations

Its objectives include maintaining international peace and security, promoting
human rights, fostering social and economic development, protecting the
environment, and providing humanitarian aid in cases of famine, natural disaster,
and armed conflict.