America and World War II

The War Ends

Roosevelt knew of the atrocities the Germans were committing and believed that destroying the Nazi regime would end the concentration camps.

Hedgerows: dirt walls, several feet thick, covered with shrubbery

The Battle of the Bulge: After the Allies broke through German lines and began pushing the Nazis back toward Germany, Hitler ordered one last counterattack against the Allies.

The Third Reich Collapses

As the Battle of the Bulge ended in the west, the Soviet Union was pushing back German forces in the east.

As both American and Soviet Armies pushed towards Berlin, Adolf Hitler shot himself on April 30, 1945.

On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered and May 8, 1945 was declared: “Victory in Europe” or V-E Day.

V-E Day: The War Ends in Europe

April 12, 1945—Roosevelt dies of a stroke. Harry S. Truman, his vice president, becomes the President.

Truman to reporters: “Boys, if you ever pray, pray for me now….When they told me yesterday what had happened, I felt like the moon, stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.”

Roosevelt Dies

Uncommon Valor on Iwo Jima◦ US planes could bomb Tokyo, Japan from Iwo Jima◦ February 19, 1945—60,000 troops land on Iwo Jima

6,800 troops die taking the island

Japan is Defeated

Firebombing Devastates Japan◦ Bombs filled with napalm, a kind of jellied

gasoline, were used to make sure targets were hit. ◦ Massive firestorms resulted sucking the oxygen out

of the air suffocating those who did not burn.◦ 80,000 people died; 250,000 buildings were

destroyed; and 67 cities were firebombed

Japan is Defeated

The Invasion of Okinawa◦ Despite the firebombing, Japan refused to quit.◦ An invasion was planned.

For an invasion to successful, the United States needed a base closer to Japan—Okinawa

◦ April 1, 1945—US troops land on Okinawa◦ June 22, 1945—Okinawa is taken by the US

12,000 American soldiers, sailors, and marines died

Japan is Defeated

Terms for Surrender◦ After taking Okinawa, the Japanese Emperor

encouraged the government to surrender.◦ Japanese officials were willing to surrender, but only if

the Emperor could stay in place.◦ American officials demanded unconditional surrender.

Public opinion blamed the Emperor for starting the war and did not want him to remain in power.

The United States had just developed a new weapon that could force Japan to surrender without any conditions.

Japan is Defeated

The Manhattan Project◦ Albert Einstein had written a letter to Roosevelt

warning him that the Germans might be able to build an “extremely powerful bomb of a new type” using uranium.

◦ Roosevelt orders a scientific committee to study the issue. The committee was skeptical until British researchers

showed them their work with uranium. A team of engineers and scientists is organized to build an atomic bomb at a secret laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. J. Robert Oppenheimer led the team.

Japan is Defeated

The Decision to Drop the Bomb◦ Even before the bomb was tested, American officials

began to debate how to use it. Civilians would be killed indiscriminately Perhaps an economic blockade and conventional bombing

would force Japan to surrender. Truman believed that it was his duty as President to use

every weapon available to save American lives. It was estimated that up to 225,000 troops would be

killed during an invasion of Japan. The unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor. The Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Japan’s use of kamikaze pilots. Japan’s refusal to surrender. The World needed to know the devastation that an

atomic bomb would create.

Japan is Defeated

The Decision to Drop the Bomb◦ A B-29 bomber named the Enola Gay dropped the

first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. 76,000 buildings destroyed (63% of the city). 80,000 to 120,000 people killed instantly. (Thousands

more died later on from burns and radiation poisoning)

◦ Three days later, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki killing 35,000 to 74,000.

◦ V-J Day is declared after Japan surrenders on August 15, 1945.

Japan is Defeated

Creating the United Nations◦ The UN would have a General Assembly where every

member nation in the world would have one vote.◦ A Security Council with 11 members.

The Security Council would have 5 permanent members Great Britain, France, China, the Soviet Union, and the United

States These five countries would have veto powers

Responsible for international peace and security The SC could investigate any international problems and

propose settlements for countries in dispute The SC could take action to preserve the peace, including

asking its members to use military force to uphold UN resolutions

Building a New World

Putting the Enemy on Trial◦ Nuremberg Trials: trial of German leaders

suspected of committing war crimes.

22 leaders of Nazi Germany were prosecuted 3 were acquitted 7 were given prison sentences 12 were sentenced to death

Lower-ranking government officials were also put on trial 107 were given prison sentences 24 were executed

Building a New World

State the names of the branches of the United Nations. Then describe the make up of each branch and its responsibilities.

Essay Question

State the names of the branches of the United Nations. Then describe the make up of each branch and its responsibilities.◦ The United Nations was designed to have two branches: the

General Assembly and the Security Council. In the General Assembly, every member nation in the world would have one vote. The Security Council would have 11 members Five countries would be permanent members: Britain, France, China, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Each permanent member would have veto power. The General Assembly could vote on resolutions, choose non-permanent members of the Security Council, and vote on the UN budget. The Security Council was responsible for international peace and security. It could investigate any international problem and propose settlements to countries that had disputes with each other,. It could also take action to preserve the peace, including asking its members to use military force to uphold a UN resolution.

Essay Question

Describe the different points of view in the debate over the use of the atomic bomb and explain why Truman finally decided to use it.

Essay Question

Describe the different points of view in the debate over the use of the atomic bomb and explain why Truman finally decided to use it.◦ One adviser opposed using the bomb because it would

kill civilians indiscriminately. Instead he believed an economic blockade and conventional bombing might convince Japan to surrender. Another advisor wanted to warn the Japanese about the bomb while the same time telling them that they could keep the emperor if they surrendered. Another advisor wanted to drop the bomb without any warning to shock Japan into surrendering. All his advisors warned President Truman to expect massive casualties if the United Sates invaded Japan. Truman decided to drop the bomb because he believed it was his duty as the president to use every weapon available to save American lives.

Essay Question