World War IIWorld War II

America at WarAmerica at War

Pearl HarborPearl Harbor ►December 7th, 1941:December 7th, 1941: Japanese Naval Japanese Naval

forces led a surprise attack on the US forces led a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaiinaval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii outraged, Congress declares war on Japan outraged, Congress declares war on Japan

the next daythe next day because of Alliances, Germany and Italy because of Alliances, Germany and Italy

declare war on the US, bringing America into declare war on the US, bringing America into World War II in both Asia and EuropeWorld War II in both Asia and Europe

The Home FrontThe Home Front

““Arsenal of Democracy”Arsenal of Democracy”►the power of American industrial output the power of American industrial output

was put on display with the start of WWIIwas put on display with the start of WWII►military production boomed until military production boomed until

America made as many supplies as the America made as many supplies as the Axis powers did combinedAxis powers did combined

► farm output doubled, despite a shortage farm output doubled, despite a shortage of workers because of the warof workers because of the war

Role of womenRole of women

1)1) At homeAt home: The number of : The number of women working doubled, women working doubled, many of them working in many of them working in factories and doing jobs factories and doing jobs previously only held by previously only held by menmen

2)2) In the ServiceIn the Service: many : many women served, and risked women served, and risked their lives in the armed their lives in the armed forcesforces

These duties greatly These duties greatly increased the visibility increased the visibility

and justification for and justification for increased women’s increased women’s rights after the war rights after the war

Rosie the Riveter

The DraftThe Draft

► In 1940, before the war had even In 1940, before the war had even started, Congress passed a started, Congress passed a ““conscriptionconscription” - a draft” - a draft

►There were 1.5 million soldiers in the There were 1.5 million soldiers in the Army when the war beganArmy when the war began

FinancingFinancing

►the U.S. was spending over $250 the U.S. was spending over $250 million a day helping the Alliesmillion a day helping the Allies

►taxes were raised, but that covered taxes were raised, but that covered less than half the cost of the warless than half the cost of the war

►War BondsWar Bonds were sold – the were sold – the government “borrowed” from the government “borrowed” from the American peopleAmerican people

RationingRationing

►supplies, including food, were low at supplies, including food, were low at home, as items were needed for the home, as items were needed for the warwar

►families had books of ration stamps, families had books of ration stamps, allowing them to only buy limited allowing them to only buy limited amounts of certain items each monthamounts of certain items each month

War StrategiesWar Strategies

1)1) Help the Soviet UnionHelp the Soviet Union: after France surrendered, : after France surrendered, and while Britain rested, the Soviet Union fought and while Britain rested, the Soviet Union fought Germany alone. The US needed to enter the war in Germany alone. The US needed to enter the war in western Europe to relieve pressure on the USSRwestern Europe to relieve pressure on the USSR

2)2) Europe firstEurope first: it was decided that the Allies would : it was decided that the Allies would try to defeat Germany first. The Allies began in try to defeat Germany first. The Allies began in North Africa, then Italy, and then D-Day: the North Africa, then Italy, and then D-Day: the invasion of western Europeinvasion of western Europe

3)3) 2 fronts2 fronts: for the Allies, there were two “Theaters” : for the Allies, there were two “Theaters” of the war: of the war: • Europe – against Germany and ItalyEurope – against Germany and Italy• the Pacific – against the Japanesethe Pacific – against the Japanese

The Atomic BombThe Atomic BombThe Manhattan ProjectThe Manhattan Project► In the late 1930’s, scientists developed In the late 1930’s, scientists developed

theories to use nuclear energy to make a theories to use nuclear energy to make a super bombsuper bomb

► the US decided that it was important to the US decided that it was important to develop the bomb before the Germans diddevelop the bomb before the Germans did

► the “the “Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project” was the code ” was the code name for the development of an Atomic name for the development of an Atomic Bomb. The scientific research was led by Bomb. The scientific research was led by an American physicist named Robert an American physicist named Robert

Oppenheimer.Oppenheimer.

“Now we are all sons of bitches”. – test director Kenneth Bainbridge to Robert Oppenheimer

“Little Boy” was dropped on

Hiroshima

“Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki

President Truman’s President Truman’s DecisionDecision

• After a successful test of an Atomic Bomb, After a successful test of an Atomic Bomb, President Truman had a tough decision to makePresident Truman had a tough decision to make

• Not use itNot use it – and prolong the war for months or – and prolong the war for months or years, and sacrifice many more soldiers’ livesyears, and sacrifice many more soldiers’ lives

• Use itUse it - on a Japanese city of military importance, - on a Japanese city of military importance, but kill thousands of innocent Japanesebut kill thousands of innocent Japanese

• August 6August 6thth, , 1945: 1945: the first Atomic Bomb was the first Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japandropped on Hiroshima, Japan

• August 9August 9thth,1945:,1945: another was used on the city of another was used on the city of NagasakiNagasaki

• August 14August 14thth,1945,1945: the Empire of Japan : the Empire of Japan surrendered. World War II was over!surrendered. World War II was over!

U.S. Occupation of JapanU.S. Occupation of Japan

• The U.S. army occupied Japan for 7 years The U.S. army occupied Japan for 7 years following the war – General McArthur was following the war – General McArthur was in chargein charge

• The U.S. helped rebuild Japan – America The U.S. helped rebuild Japan – America wanted Japan on its side in the coming wanted Japan on its side in the coming Cold WarCold War

Japanese Internment Japanese Internment Camps:Camps:

Executive Order 9066Executive Order 9066