The United States in World War II

The United States in World War II 24.5 World War II Ends

Focus Your Thoughts . . . • Quiz Review • How did the fighting in Europe affect events taking place in the Pacific? • Because Hitler appeared to be the most imminent threat, U.S. response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor was slow; as a result, the Japanese enjoyed a string of victories which artificially inflated their confidence in their abilities; once the fighting in Europe began to subside, the Allied Powers shifted their focus more heavily to the Pacific, where the tides quickly began to turn when poor planning and decision-making exposed the weaknesses of the Japanese military. • At Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Japanese forces suffered great losses, but refused to surrender . . . how might this affect the end of the war? • The Japanese were offered several opportunities to surrender leading up to the introduction of nuclear warfare; just like their earlier decisions to fight to the last man standing, the Japanese refused to surrender, even under the threat of nuclear warfare; this resulted in the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the acute effects of these bombings killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki; however, total deaths associated with the bombing and residual radiation were twice that. • Describe the significance of the following: • Code talkers • Navajo Indians who used their native language to help Allied soldiers communicate with one another in a manner indecipherable by the Japanese • Kamikaze pilots • Japanese fighter pilots who engaged in suicide bombing missions; unnerved – but did not dissuade – Allied forces

A Historic Meeting • By April of 1945, American forces had crossed Germany’s western border and were heading eastward; Soviet soldiers were advancing through Germany from the opposite direction . . . • Each side knew that when they met, Hitler’s fate would be sealed • April 24, 1945 • A group of American troops spotted Soviet forces on the other side of the Elbe River • The Americans identified themselves as friendly forces and headed across the river • The soldiers shook hands, embraced, and toasted to the leaders of their countries; they danced and sang, promising to build a lasting peace between the United States and the Soviet Union But would it last?? Do Americans like communism?

Winning the War in Europe • The aftermath of both the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Stalingrad was devastating for German troops • The German army had risked a great deal, and suffered two crushing defeats . . . • Few soldiers were left to defend against the four million Allied troops poised on the western border; nor could they withstand the Soviet troops who stood waiting to the east; Germany was surrounded

The Yalta Conference • In January of 1944, FDR took the oath of office for a fourth time • Shortly after his inauguration, he left for a conference of the Allied leaders • The Big Three: FDR, Churchill, Stalin • Met in Yalta in the Soviet Union • Their primary goal: Figure out what to do with the soon-to-be conquered Germany • They agreed to divide the country into four sectors; each of the Big Three would occupy a sector, and France would get the last What does it mean to ‘occupy’ a country or territory?

The Yalta ConferenceSomething about this picture doesn’t look quite right . . . • In addition to dividing up Germany, they had to decide what to do with the other countries in Europe acquired by Germany during Hitler’s expansion • Stalin agreed to hold elections in these countries, in addition, he agreed to declare war on Japan as soon as Germany had surrendered . . . Stalin FDR Churchill What do you think?? Would Stalin keep his promises?

Crossing the Rhine • As the Big Three were meeting in Yalta, the Allied forces were preparing to cross the Rhine River • The Rhine River, at least in the mind of the Germans, represented a key barrier to the center of Germany • Even though it was not a good defensive location, Hitler ordered his troops to make a stand there • Hitler began blowing up bridges over the Rhine to slow the Allies; but the Allies managed to capture one, and began to cross over into Germany • The Allies were able to surround and capture a quarter million German soldiers; tens of thousands were killed

The Question of Berlin • With the German forces crumbling before their eyes, both the Americans and the Soviets set their sights on Berlin • While both the United States and the Soviet Union wanted control of the capital city, Eisenhower knew the fight for Berlin would be a bloody one, and opted to preserve American troops for war in the Pacific, which was still raging

April 12, 1945 • FDR’s unexpected death throws a bit of a wrench in things . . . the vast majority of American troops had known no other president during their adult lives; many were saddened, but it did not slow victory Who took over for FDR?

Hitler’s Death • As the Soviet and American troops came together in Germany; Hitler finally recognized that all hope was lost • On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker • As news of his death spread, fighting in Europe came to a halt; two days later, Berlin surrendered, followed by Germany’s new leader, Karl Donitz, on May 7th • This was proclaimed V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day)

Surprise, Surprise! Japan Keeps Fighting • Despite the fall of Mussolini and then Hitler, Japan does not surrender • Major General Curtis LeMay responds by bombing Tokyo in an experimental raidthat destroyed 270,000 buildings and killed more than 84,000 people • While the bombing stunned the Japanese, they vowed to continue fighting

Fleeting Moments of Clarity • Some Japanese leaders saw the need for peace; in June and July they reached out to the Soviet Union hoping they’d help arrange an agreement for peace Meanwhile, the American war plans moved steadily forward . . .

The Atomic Bombs • Unbeknownst to the rest of the world – and to American citizens - the United States had been working on the creation of a nuclear weapon for some time • The Manhattan Project • When Harry S. Truman assumed the Presidency following FDR’s death, he was made aware of the existence of the intelligence, and he formed a group to advise him about its use

July 26, 1945 • Truman and the Allies – hoping to avoid nuclear war - demanded the immediate surrender of Japan • Japan was warned that failure to surrender would result in “prompt and utter destruction” • Japan did not respond

August 6, 1945 • The Enola Gay, an American B-29, dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima • In a single terrible blast, most of Hiroshima was reduced to rubble • 80,000 people died instantly; 35,000 were injured • 90,000 buildings were decimated • The United States waited three more days . . . Japan did not respond.

August 9, 1945 • The United States reluctantly dropped another atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki • 40,000 people were killed instantly • Amazingly, the Japanese military still did not surrender • Japanese Emperor Hirohito begged them to give up the fight, to which they responded by trying to oust him from power; thankfully, they were not successful • Hirohito issued Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, via radio broadcast (V-J Day) World War II was finally over.

The Challenges of Victory • The Creation of the United Nations • After the dissolution of the League of Nations during WWII, fifty nations once again met to form a new organization meant to encourage cooperation and keep the peace . . . this time, the United States joined • The Potsdam Conference • Allied nations once again met to continue the discussions begun at Yalta; Truman hoped that he’d be able to convince Stalin to live up to his promises . . . he wasn’t successful • Re-building Europe (again) and Japan • The U.S. walked a fine line between showing respect for Japanese tradition and insisting on democratic values • The U.S. also helped to re-build Europe; this process resulted in increasing tensions with America’s wartime ally, the Soviet Union . . . which would soon engulf us in another war

The United States in World War II