Germany’s Defeat in WWII

Was the entry of the USA in 1941 the main cause of

Germany’s defeat in WWII?

Which means…There were several reasons to the end of WWII.

Entry of USAGerman weaknessAllied Resistance (USSR, UK)

Key QuestionsWhy did USA enter the war?

Prior to US entry: Why did they pursue an isolationist policy?

How did the US change the strategic war? How crucial was this? (p144)

Today – An overview of WWII:

What happened in WWII?- Hitler’s expansionist policy- How did Blitzkrieg (military

tactics) help Germany deliver a string of victories?

- US isolationism to US entry into the war

Before 1914-18, Germany had perceived itself as surrounded by enemies who were superior both in numbers and resources. 

Thus, in order to win, it would have to match quantity with quality.

Emphasized the speed of decision-making Recognising that battlefield conditions changed rapidly

and that orders often became overtaken by events, the German army encouraged commanders to make decisions without waiting for orders from above.

With this doctrine, despite being outnumbered in tanks and combat aircraft, they were able to outfight the Allies at every turn in 1940, and cause the rapid and total collapse of Allied resistance.

Blitzkrieg

USA Isolationist PolicyNeutrality Act

(1937)◦No expiration date◦American ships not to

transport passengers or materials to warring nations

◦American citizens not to travel on ships of warring nations Franklin Delano

Roosevelt President USA

USA Isolationist Policy

“I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again: your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars ”

Roosevelt, 1940

USA • Cash & Carry (21 September 1939) • Allowed Britain & France to purchase weapons from the

USA provided that they paid immediately in cash

• Lend-lease (March 1941)• USA could supply food, weapons, equipment to any

country whose defense was vital to the US• Almost $50 billion was provided to the allies • Implications: Ended US neutrality

Land-Lease ActWhy?France fell in 1940Britain only major Allied country

left

Land-Lease ActUSA gave Britain 50 old

destroyers in return for 8 naval bases

FDR held secret dialogues with Churchill

Germany, Italy and Japan joined the Tripartite Pact in Sept 1941

Dec 1941: Pearl Harbour

USA • Cash & Carry (Sept 1939)• Lend Lease Act – Arsenal of Democracy

(March 1941)• Pearl Harbour attack on the US (Dec

1941) • US physical entry into war

D-Day landing sites (6/6/44)

Contribution of vast resources and manpower (pg 144)USA contributed1. Military equipment2. Military personnel3. Resources (Oil)4. Money

Collaboration with Allies on military strategiesHelped achieve control of air and seaAir Superiority

◦Larger airforce than Germany and Japan◦Long-range bombing of enemy

infrastructure◦Disrupted German production of war

materialsSea Superiority

◦American Navy took over escort duties◦Better anti-submarine weapons◦Mass production of warships

Collaboration with Allies on military strategiesGreater success at bombing

German cities and resources‘Operation Overlord’ D-day

deception

Entry of USAContextInitial Isolationism

Cash and Carry Policy (1939)Land-Lease Act (1941)

Contribution of vast resources and manpower

Collaboration on military strategiesWas this the main reason for German Defeat?

Day of Infamy – Japan attack on Pearl Harbour