America in a World at WarAmerica in a World at War

I. War on Two FrontsI. War on Two FrontsContaining the JapaneseContaining the Japanese

Allied territories begin to fall shortly after Pearl HarborAllied territories begin to fall shortly after Pearl Harbor American forces in the Philippines destroyed ten hours after the strikeAmerican forces in the Philippines destroyed ten hours after the strike GuamGuam

General Douglas MacArthurGeneral Douglas MacArthur move north from Australia into Philippinesmove north from Australia into Philippines

Admiral Chester NimitzAdmiral Chester Nimitz move from Hawaii toward major Japanese island outpostsmove from Hawaii toward major Japanese island outposts

Victorious Battles for U.S.Victorious Battles for U.S. May 7-8 1942: Coral Sea… first major victory… just northeast of AustraliaMay 7-8 1942: Coral Sea… first major victory… just northeast of Australia June 3-6 1942: Midway Island… US Navy destroys four Japanese aircraft June 3-6 1942: Midway Island… US Navy destroys four Japanese aircraft

carrierscarriers Aug 1942: Solomon Islands east of New GuineaAug 1942: Solomon Islands east of New Guinea

GavutuGavutu TulagiTulagi GuadalcanalGuadalcanal

With help from Aussies and Kiwis… US began long, slow With help from Aussies and Kiwis… US began long, slow march towards Japanmarch towards Japan

In Europe US had less control over military In Europe US had less control over military operations than in Pacificoperations than in Pacific

forced to work with other alliesforced to work with other allies George C. Marshall, supported a plan for a George C. Marshall, supported a plan for a

major Allied invasion of France across the major Allied invasion of France across the English Channel in the Spring of 1943English Channel in the Spring of 1943

Soviets wanted invasion to take place at earliest Soviets wanted invasion to take place at earliest possible moment… taking brunt of German attackpossible moment… taking brunt of German attack

British wanted to attack Germany through AfricaBritish wanted to attack Germany through Africa Roosevelt decides to support the British plan, Roosevelt decides to support the British plan,

against advice of advisorsagainst advice of advisors October 1942, British and US launch counter offensives October 1942, British and US launch counter offensives

against German General Erwin Rommelagainst German General Erwin Rommel African difficultiesAfrican difficulties

Germans throw full weight against Allied African Germans throw full weight against Allied African offensiveoffensive

Inexperienced troops from US suffer serious lossesInexperienced troops from US suffer serious losses

Holding off the Germans Holding off the Germans

General George S. PattonGeneral George S. Patton takes command and regroups American troops and began takes command and regroups American troops and began

effective counter offensive from the Westeffective counter offensive from the West General Bernard Montgomery from Britain… leads successful General Bernard Montgomery from Britain… leads successful

British counter offensive from the EastBritish counter offensive from the East Allies drive off last of Germans from Africa in May of 1943Allies drive off last of Germans from Africa in May of 1943

Russians able to hold off huge German offensive in Russians able to hold off huge German offensive in the winter of 1943the winter of 1943

StalingradStalingrad Soviets would lose 20 million people during war… far more Soviets would lose 20 million people during war… far more

than any other countrythan any other country Soviets believed that Allied invasion of France was being Soviets believed that Allied invasion of France was being

deliberately postponed to sabotage communist governmentdeliberately postponed to sabotage communist government First U.S. European Invasion: SicilyFirst U.S. European Invasion: Sicily

July 9, 1943July 9, 1943 One month later, Sicily would fallOne month later, Sicily would fall Amid defeat Mussolini would be kicked out of powerAmid defeat Mussolini would be kicked out of power Italian forces still form a powerful defensive south of RomeItalian forces still form a powerful defensive south of Rome June 4, 1944 captured RomeJune 4, 1944 captured Rome

Holding off the Germans ContinuedHolding off the Germans Continued

America and the HolocaustAmerica and the Holocaust

As early as 1942 America had evidence of Nazi As early as 1942 America had evidence of Nazi extermination of Jews, poles, gypsies, homosexuals extermination of Jews, poles, gypsies, homosexuals and communistsand communists

American government continually resisted almost all American government continually resisted almost all plans to rescue individuals from Nazi death campsplans to rescue individuals from Nazi death camps

U.S. Planes flew missions within miles of Auschwitz: U.S. Planes flew missions within miles of Auschwitz: Military refused to destroy crematoriums… “militarily Military refused to destroy crematoriums… “militarily unfeasible”unfeasible”

Jews escaping refused entry into the United StatesJews escaping refused entry into the United States St. Louis, arrived in Miami in 1939 carrying as many St. Louis, arrived in Miami in 1939 carrying as many

as 1,000 escaped German Jews… refused entry and as 1,000 escaped German Jews… refused entry and sent homesent home

State department did not even use up the number of State department did not even use up the number of visas permitted by law… 90% of the quota remained visas permitted by law… 90% of the quota remained untouched!untouched!

Anti-Semite Assistant Secretary Breckinridge LongAnti-Semite Assistant Secretary Breckinridge Long Allied forces insisted the most important thing they Allied forces insisted the most important thing they

could do to combat Nazi genocide was concentrate could do to combat Nazi genocide was concentrate all forces in an attack against Germanyall forces in an attack against Germany

II. The American People in WartimeII. The American People in WartimeProsperityProsperity

WWII’s most profound WWII’s most profound impact on American Life impact on American Life was the ending of the was the ending of the DepressionDepression

Most important agent in Most important agent in recovery: federal spendingrecovery: federal spending

After 1939 fed was putting After 1939 fed was putting more money into economy more money into economy each year than all the New each year than all the New Deal relief agencies Deal relief agencies combined had done.combined had done.

The War and the WestThe War and the West

US gov’t created large manufacturing facilities in California and US gov’t created large manufacturing facilities in California and elsewhere to serve the needs of it’s militaryelsewhere to serve the needs of it’s military

Gov’t made almost $40 billion in capital investmentsGov’t made almost $40 billion in capital investments Henry J. KaiserHenry J. Kaiser

construction companies built some of the great dams of the westconstruction companies built some of the great dams of the west steered billions of dollars to capital investments in the Weststeered billions of dollars to capital investments in the West

Western cities grow in sizeWestern cities grow in size

Henry J. Kaiser

Labor and the WarLabor and the War

war created a serious labor shortagewar created a serious labor shortage took 15 million men and women out of civilian took 15 million men and women out of civilian

workwork demand for labor was rising rapidlydemand for labor was rising rapidly

Civilian workforce increased by almost 20 Civilian workforce increased by almost 20 percent during the war… groups of people percent during the war… groups of people began working who before it was considered began working who before it was considered in-appropriate to workin-appropriate to work

very youngvery young elderlyelderly several million womenseveral million women

Labor and the WarLabor and the WarContinuedContinued

Increase in union membership, but Increase in union membership, but increase in federal restrictions on increase in federal restrictions on work stoppageswork stoppages

15% wage increase set15% wage increase set ““no-strike” pledgeno-strike” pledge ““maintenance-of-membership” agreements: maintenance-of-membership” agreements:

increased union membershipincreased union membership Despite these plans, nearly 15,000 Despite these plans, nearly 15,000

work stoppages during the warwork stoppages during the war mostly “wildcat” strikes (strikes mostly “wildcat” strikes (strikes

unauthorized by union leaders)unauthorized by union leaders) Smith-Connally Act … passed despite Smith-Connally Act … passed despite

FDR’s veto… required unions to wait FDR’s veto… required unions to wait thirty days before striking and thirty days before striking and empowered the president to seize a empowered the president to seize a struck war plantstruck war plant

Stabilizing the BoomStabilizing the Boom

from fear of deflation (not enough currency, low from fear of deflation (not enough currency, low prices) to inflation (too much, high prices) during the prices) to inflation (too much, high prices) during the warwar

Anti-Inflation Act: gave president the authority to Anti-Inflation Act: gave president the authority to freeze agricultural prices, wages, salaries and rentsfreeze agricultural prices, wages, salaries and rents

enforced by Office of Price Administration (OPA)enforced by Office of Price Administration (OPA) successful, inflation not a problemsuccessful, inflation not a problem OPA not popular… black marketing grewOPA not popular… black marketing grew

Government SpendingGovernment Spending 1941-1945 spent $321 billion… twice as much as it had 1941-1945 spent $321 billion… twice as much as it had

spent in the entire 150 years of existencespent in the entire 150 years of existence national debt rose from $49 billion to $249 billion in 1945national debt rose from $49 billion to $249 billion in 1945

Mobilizing ProductionMobilizing Production

one failed agency after another finally leads to War one failed agency after another finally leads to War Production Board (WPB)Production Board (WPB)

““superagency”, but not as much power as WWI counterpart War superagency”, but not as much power as WWI counterpart War Industries BoardIndustries Board

never able to exert control over military purchasesnever able to exert control over military purchases army and navy often circumventedarmy and navy often circumvented small businesses angry that contracts were going to big businessessmall businesses angry that contracts were going to big businesses

WPB’s authority is transferred to Office of War WPB’s authority is transferred to Office of War Mobilization (OWM)… only slightly more successfulMobilization (OWM)… only slightly more successful

Despite administrative problems, economy met all of the Despite administrative problems, economy met all of the nation’s critical war needsnation’s critical war needs

Development of synthetic rubber over natural rubberDevelopment of synthetic rubber over natural rubber USA output was twice of all the Axis countries USA output was twice of all the Axis countries

combinedcombined

*Fake Smile**Fake Smile*

The Internment of Japanese The Internment of Japanese AmericansAmericans

WWII different from WWI … not as much propaganda or hatred WWII different from WWI … not as much propaganda or hatred directed towards Europedirected towards Europe

Americans looked at Italians and Germans as victims of tyrannical gov’tAmericans looked at Italians and Germans as victims of tyrannical gov’t Different attitude towards Asian enemy than towards European Different attitude towards Asian enemy than towards European

enemyenemy certain racial and cultural characteristics made it easier to hold Japanese certain racial and cultural characteristics made it easier to hold Japanese

Americans in contemptAmericans in contempt small group, politically powerlesssmall group, politically powerless gov’t and private organizations printed Anti-Japanese propaganda… hatred gov’t and private organizations printed Anti-Japanese propaganda… hatred

quickly spread towards Japanese Americansquickly spread towards Japanese Americans Pearl Harbor increased animosity and suspicionPearl Harbor increased animosity and suspicion

Despite cultural assimilation, belief was widespread that Japanese Despite cultural assimilation, belief was widespread that Japanese Americans could never become “real” AmericansAmericans could never become “real” Americans

Executive Order 9066 Executive Order 9066 Leaders make scathing and unfounded commentsLeaders make scathing and unfounded comments

Earl Warren “passivity as a threat”Earl Warren “passivity as a threat” General Frank Knox blamed Japanese Americans for “sabotage” of Pearl HarborGeneral Frank Knox blamed Japanese Americans for “sabotage” of Pearl Harbor General John DeWitt “A Jap is a Jap”General John DeWitt “A Jap is a Jap”

The Internment of Japanese The Internment of Japanese AmericansAmericans

ContinuedContinued War Relocation Authority (WRA)War Relocation Authority (WRA)

oversee project of relocating over 100,000 oversee project of relocating over 100,000 Japanese Americans and immigrantsJapanese Americans and immigrants

concentration camps were like desert prisonsconcentration camps were like desert prisons goal to “Americanize” Japanese… people in goal to “Americanize” Japanese… people in

charge of committee were same people who were charge of committee were same people who were in charge of similar projects for Native Americansin charge of similar projects for Native Americans

WRA hired out many inmates as agricultural WRA hired out many inmates as agricultural laborerslaborers

Japanese Americans lost everythingJapanese Americans lost everything businesses sold for cheap businesses sold for cheap property sold for cheapproperty sold for cheap

Nisei army fights with high distinction in EuropeNisei army fights with high distinction in Europe Korematsu v. U.S. Korematsu v. U.S.

Supreme Court rules U.S. gov’t action during Supreme Court rules U.S. gov’t action during WWII as constitutionalWWII as constitutional

““loyal” citizens allowed to be freeloyal” citizens allowed to be free 1988 Japanese Americans win compensation for 1988 Japanese Americans win compensation for

their losestheir loses

Chinese Americans and the Chinese Americans and the WarWar

Relations increased due to Alliance with ChinaRelations increased due to Alliance with China Congress finally repealed the Chinese Exclusion Congress finally repealed the Chinese Exclusion

Acts which had barred Chinese immigration Acts which had barred Chinese immigration since 1892since 1892

4,000 Chinese women entered the United States 4,000 Chinese women entered the United States in the first years after the war… mail order bridesin the first years after the war… mail order brides

Improving imageImproving image positive propaganda towards Chinesepositive propaganda towards Chinese Chinese taking jobs at manufacturing plantsChinese taking jobs at manufacturing plants 22% of Chinese males were drafted… higher than any 22% of Chinese males were drafted… higher than any

other groupother group

The Retreat from ReformThe Retreat from Reform

replacing “Dr. New Deal” with “Dr. replacing “Dr. New Deal” with “Dr. Win the War”Win the War”

Republicans gaining ground in Republicans gaining ground in WashingtonWashington

Administration: Wall Street brokersAdministration: Wall Street brokers Congress: movement to destroy New Congress: movement to destroy New

Deal plansDeal plans Replacing Wallace with TrumanReplacing Wallace with Truman

1944 Election1944 Election Thomas E. Dewey, Republican: young Thomas E. Dewey, Republican: young

charismatic governor from NYcharismatic governor from NY Roosevelt: ill (maybe dying)Roosevelt: ill (maybe dying) Roosevelt wins 53.5% to / Dewey 40%Roosevelt wins 53.5% to / Dewey 40% Victory marks the only time in history a Victory marks the only time in history a

president won FOUR electionspresident won FOUR elections

III. The Defeat of the AxisIII. The Defeat of the AxisThe Liberation of FranceThe Liberation of France

By 1944 American and British bombers were attacking German By 1944 American and British bombers were attacking German industrial centers and other targets around the clockindustrial centers and other targets around the clock

Leipzig, Dresden and BerlinLeipzig, Dresden and Berlin Feb 1945 raid on Dresden caused a huge fire that killed 135,000… most of Feb 1945 raid on Dresden caused a huge fire that killed 135,000… most of

which were civilianswhich were civilians Air battles weakened the LuftwaffeAir battles weakened the Luftwaffe American forces obtain an “Ultra” machine… able to crack American forces obtain an “Ultra” machine… able to crack

German codeGerman code June 6, 1944: D-DayJune 6, 1944: D-Day

Germans expected Allies to land on the most narrow area of the English Germans expected Allies to land on the most narrow area of the English Channel… but attack came further west… NormandyChannel… but attack came further west… Normandy

Intense fighting along the beachIntense fighting along the beach Paratroopers dropped in behind enemy lines amid confusionParatroopers dropped in behind enemy lines amid confusion

Slow advanceSlow advance Battle of Saint-Lo: General Omar Bradley breaks through German linesBattle of Saint-Lo: General Omar Bradley breaks through German lines Patton follows with heavy tank supportPatton follows with heavy tank support

The Liberation of France The Liberation of France ContinuedContinued

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge Rhine River: firm line of German defensesRhine River: firm line of German defenses mid December, German forces strike in desperationmid December, German forces strike in desperation Germans push Allies back 55 miles before being stopped at Antwerp…. Battle Germans push Allies back 55 miles before being stopped at Antwerp…. Battle

ended serious German resistance in the Westended serious German resistance in the West Surrounding all cornersSurrounding all corners

Soviets made strong advances in the East… Oder RiverSoviets made strong advances in the East… Oder River Omar Bradley moving in from west… CologneOmar Bradley moving in from west… Cologne

discovered intact bridge on the Rhine and was able to crossdiscovered intact bridge on the Rhine and was able to cross Montgomery pushed into Northern Germany with a million troopsMontgomery pushed into Northern Germany with a million troops

Taking BerlinTaking Berlin Omar Bradley in position to take the city, as was Patton and MontgomeryOmar Bradley in position to take the city, as was Patton and Montgomery Decision made from high up to allow Russians to take the cityDecision made from high up to allow Russians to take the city

April 30, 1945 Hitler killed himself in his bunker in the capitalApril 30, 1945 Hitler killed himself in his bunker in the capital May 8, 1945 remaining German forces surrender unconditionallyMay 8, 1945 remaining German forces surrender unconditionally

V-E Day: “Victory in Europe” DayV-E Day: “Victory in Europe” Day Focus now shifts towards JapanFocus now shifts towards Japan

The Pacific OffensivesThe Pacific Offensives

Feb 1944 Chester Nimitz wins a series of victories in Feb 1944 Chester Nimitz wins a series of victories in the Marshall Islands and cracked the outer perimeter the Marshall Islands and cracked the outer perimeter of the Japanese Empireof the Japanese Empire

American submarines destroying Japanese shipping American submarines destroying Japanese shipping and crippling the nation’s domestic economyand crippling the nation’s domestic economy

food shortagefood shortage critical gasoline shortagecritical gasoline shortage

Land battles encounter frustrationLand battles encounter frustration General Joseph W. Stilwell pushed back out of BurmaGeneral Joseph W. Stilwell pushed back out of Burma Frustration dealing with Chaing Kai-shek, leader of China, Frustration dealing with Chaing Kai-shek, leader of China,

who used troops to protect his gov’t from rebel communists, who used troops to protect his gov’t from rebel communists, rather than to fight Japaneserather than to fight Japanese

The Pacific Offensives ContinuedThe Pacific Offensives Continued Decisive battle for Pacific in the PacificDecisive battle for Pacific in the Pacific

June 1944, enormous American armada struck the heavily fortified Mariana Islands, June 1944, enormous American armada struck the heavily fortified Mariana Islands, Tinian, Guam and SiapanTinian, Guam and Siapan arguably the bloodiest fighting of the entire wararguably the bloodiest fighting of the entire war

Oct 1944 General MacArthur landed in the PhilippinesOct 1944 General MacArthur landed in the Philippines Japanese used entire fleet to try to stop American advance and lostJapanese used entire fleet to try to stop American advance and lost Battle of Leyte Gulf largest naval entanglement in historyBattle of Leyte Gulf largest naval entanglement in history Destroyed Japan’s capacity to continue a naval warDestroyed Japan’s capacity to continue a naval war

Very difficult for troops to advance on landVery difficult for troops to advance on land only island U.S. is able to capture is tiny Iwo Jimaonly island U.S. is able to capture is tiny Iwo Jima

costliest battle in Marine Corp history: 20,000 deadcostliest battle in Marine Corp history: 20,000 dead Okinawa: taken at the cost of 50,000 troopsOkinawa: taken at the cost of 50,000 troops

What next?What next? hard to fight troops on landhard to fight troops on land BUT Japanese has no navy leftBUT Japanese has no navy left July 1945, Tokyo firebombed: 80,000 deadJuly 1945, Tokyo firebombed: 80,000 dead US Navy able to shell coastal targets in Japan from offshoreUS Navy able to shell coastal targets in Japan from offshore Emperor Hirohito gives directions to military leaders to make surrender negotiations… Emperor Hirohito gives directions to military leaders to make surrender negotiations…

could not persuade military leaders to give upcould not persuade military leaders to give up kamikazekamikaze background: Japanese “code of honor”background: Japanese “code of honor”

would moderates have prevailed?would moderates have prevailed?

The Manhattan ProjectThe Manhattan Project

1939 reports reach U.S. military intelligence that 1939 reports reach U.S. military intelligence that the Germans are attempting to produce atomic the Germans are attempting to produce atomic fission in uraniumfission in uranium

Albert Einstein and Enrico Fermi – physicists from Albert Einstein and Enrico Fermi – physicists from Europe, exile to the U.S.Europe, exile to the U.S.

From 1941 on, gov’t secretly poured $2 billion From 1941 on, gov’t secretly poured $2 billion dollars into the Manhattan Project… massive dollars into the Manhattan Project… massive scientific effort conducted at hidden laboratoriesscientific effort conducted at hidden laboratories

Oak Ridge, Tenn: create fuel for bombOak Ridge, Tenn: create fuel for bomb Los Alamos, NM: create the bombLos Alamos, NM: create the bomb

J. Robert Oppenheimer in charge of creating the J. Robert Oppenheimer in charge of creating the bombbomb

War in Europe ends just before they are ready to War in Europe ends just before they are ready to test the first bombtest the first bomb

July 16, 1945 near Alamogordo, New Mexico: first July 16, 1945 near Alamogordo, New Mexico: first atomic explosion in historyatomic explosion in history

Bomb instantly moves from a scientific project to a Bomb instantly moves from a scientific project to a weapon of warweapon of war

Atomic WarfareAtomic Warfare

Roosevelt dies in office in April 1945… News Roosevelt dies in office in April 1945… News of explosion reaches Truman (Truman had no of explosion reaches Truman (Truman had no knowledge of weapon prior to FDR’s death)knowledge of weapon prior to FDR’s death)

Truman issues warning to Japan, signed jointly Truman issues warning to Japan, signed jointly by Britain: “unconditional surrender or face by Britain: “unconditional surrender or face complete devastation” complete devastation”

Japanese premier wanted to surrender, could not Japanese premier wanted to surrender, could not persuade military officials to agree…persuade military officials to agree…

Should the bomb have been dropped?Should the bomb have been dropped? Did the Japanese have any idea what “complete Did the Japanese have any idea what “complete

devastation” was?devastation” was? Was this the only way force Japanese militants to Was this the only way force Japanese militants to

surrender?surrender? Would moderates in the Japanese gov’t who urged Would moderates in the Japanese gov’t who urged

surrender eventually prevailed?surrender eventually prevailed?

Atomic Warfare ContinuedAtomic Warfare Continued

Truman orders the use of atomic weapons on JapanTruman orders the use of atomic weapons on Japan August 6, 1945 Enola Gay drops atomic weapon on Hiroshima… within moments…August 6, 1945 Enola Gay drops atomic weapon on Hiroshima… within moments…

a four-square mile area is completely destroyeda four-square mile area is completely destroyed 80,000 civilians dead…more would die slow and painful deaths from radiation poisoning + birth defects 80,000 civilians dead…more would die slow and painful deaths from radiation poisoning + birth defects

for generationsfor generations Japanese government, stunned, unable to agree to a responseJapanese government, stunned, unable to agree to a response August 8, 1945 Russia declares war on JapanAugust 8, 1945 Russia declares war on Japan August 9, 1945 another atomic bomb dropped… NagasakiAugust 9, 1945 another atomic bomb dropped… Nagasaki

100,000 deaths100,000 deaths September 2, 1945 Japanese surrender signed aboard American battleship MissouriSeptember 2, 1945 Japanese surrender signed aboard American battleship Missouri In the end…In the end…

14,000,000 combatants killed14,000,000 combatants killed far more civilians dead from bombings, disease, starvation, genocidefar more civilians dead from bombings, disease, starvation, genocide 322,000 American soldiers dead / 800,000 injured322,000 American soldiers dead / 800,000 injured new fear of nuclear warfare and tensions between the U.S.A and Soviet Unionnew fear of nuclear warfare and tensions between the U.S.A and Soviet Union one Manhattan Project scientist in a letter to President Trumanone Manhattan Project scientist in a letter to President Truman

““This thing must not be permitted to exist on this earth. We must This thing must not be permitted to exist on this earth. We must not be the most hated and feared people in the world.”not be the most hated and feared people in the world.”