The U.S.A. and WWII. The key to victory for the U.S.A. in WWII would depend on their ability to produce enough weapons to defeat Japan and Germany. Luckily......

The U.S.A. and WWIIThe U.S.A. and WWII

The key to victory for the U.S.A. in WWII would depend on their

ability to produce enough weapons to defeat Japan and

Germany. Luckily......

The key to victory for the U.S.A. in WWII would depend on their

ability to produce enough weapons to defeat Japan and

Germany. Luckily......

FDR saw the war coming. In 1940, he announced a

plan for the U.S. to build 50,000

warplanes a year. Many businesses began producing

vital war materials

FDR saw the war coming. In 1940, he announced a

plan for the U.S. to build 50,000

warplanes a year. Many businesses began producing

vital war materials

U.S. auto producers became weapons producers, making

tanks, jeeps, trucks, rifles, mines and pretty much anything else you could think an army would

need

U.S. auto producers became weapons producers, making

tanks, jeeps, trucks, rifles, mines and pretty much anything else you could think an army would

need

Liberty ships were mass produced welded cargo ships and proved invaluable and superior to riveted ships. They were rarely sunk and were cheap to build

Liberty ships were mass produced welded cargo ships and proved invaluable and superior to riveted ships. They were rarely sunk and were cheap to build

The Selective Service and Training Act

The Selective Service and Training Act

FDR knew as early as 1940 that the U.S. army needed to be expanded.

This act was the first peacetime draft in U.S.

history and trained men to be soldiers

FDR knew as early as 1940 that the U.S. army needed to be expanded.

This act was the first peacetime draft in U.S.

history and trained men to be soldiers

African-Americans in

WWII

African-Americans in

WWIIThese soldiers fought in

segregated units, usually led by a white

commander. Denied basic rights in much of the U.S., these men were required to defend their country

and risk their lives.

These soldiers fought in segregated units, usually

led by a white commander. Denied basic rights in much of the U.S., these men were required to defend their country

and risk their lives.

Double V CampaignDouble V Campaign

African-Americans hoped that if they fought Hitler’s

racism in Europe they would help end racism in the U.S. FDR began the

process of promoting African-Americans to

important military positions

African-Americans hoped that if they fought Hitler’s

racism in Europe they would help end racism in the U.S. FDR began the

process of promoting African-Americans to

important military positions

The Tuskegee Airmen was one of many groups of African-American war heroes who fought valiantly

in WWII for the U.S

The Tuskegee Airmen was one of many groups of African-American war heroes who fought valiantly

in WWII for the U.S

U.S. Women and WWII

U.S. Women and WWII

Women in the U.S. made an enormous contribution to the war effort. Women worked in factories, and

served the armed forces in clerical positions and of

course as nurses. However, women were barred from

combat.

Women in the U.S. made an enormous contribution to the war effort. Women worked in factories, and

served the armed forces in clerical positions and of

course as nurses. However, women were barred from

combat.

Events got worse for the U.S. after Pearl Harbor. Japan was able to take the Philippines by

May, 1942

Events got worse for the U.S. after Pearl Harbor. Japan was able to take the Philippines by

May, 1942

During the Bataan Death March, 78,000 U.S. prisoners of war were

forced to march 105 kms to a Japanese prison camp.

Thousands never reached the camp.

During the Bataan Death March, 78,000 U.S. prisoners of war were

forced to march 105 kms to a Japanese prison camp.

Thousands never reached the camp.

The U.S. Air Force began using B-25 bombers to attack Japan in

April 1942. These planes had to land in China because they were

too large to land on aircraft carriers

The U.S. Air Force began using B-25 bombers to attack Japan in

April 1942. These planes had to land in China because they were

too large to land on aircraft carriers

In June 1942, the U.S. repelled the Japanese air invasion at

Midway Island and also destroyed four of Japan’s largest aircraft

carriers. This was a major turning point in the war.

In June 1942, the U.S. repelled the Japanese air invasion at

Midway Island and also destroyed four of Japan’s largest aircraft

carriers. This was a major turning point in the war.

Meanwhile in Europe, Stalin was begging FDR and Churchill to

attack Germany from the west, but FDR and Churchill didn’t feel the time was right. Instead, they

looked towards North Africa.

Meanwhile in Europe, Stalin was begging FDR and Churchill to

attack Germany from the west, but FDR and Churchill didn’t feel the time was right. Instead, they

looked towards North Africa.

FDR and Churchill decided to attack Algeria and Morocco,

French colonies now in the hands of Hitler and the Nazis.

FDR and Churchill decided to attack Algeria and Morocco,

French colonies now in the hands of Hitler and the Nazis.

FDR and Churchill believed fighting in North Africa would

give experience to the troops and then allow them to help the

British army presently fighting the Germans in Egypt

FDR and Churchill believed fighting in North Africa would

give experience to the troops and then allow them to help the

British army presently fighting the Germans in Egypt

Egypt was important because the Suez Canal allowed Britain to move supplies to its colonies.

The U.S. and British forces were able to trap the Germans in North

Africa in 1943.

Egypt was important because the Suez Canal allowed Britain to move supplies to its colonies.

The U.S. and British forces were able to trap the Germans in North

Africa in 1943.

German submarines were able to sink many U.S. ships in 1942-1943. But the Germans lost

ships too and the U.S. was able to build replacements quickly to

limit the damage.

German submarines were able to sink many U.S. ships in 1942-1943. But the Germans lost

ships too and the U.S. was able to build replacements quickly to

limit the damage.

Hitler thought he could defeat the U.S.S.R. by taking it’s oil fields at Stalingrad and this

would cripple the Soviet economy.In May 1942, the

invasion was launched.

Hitler thought he could defeat the U.S.S.R. by taking it’s oil fields at Stalingrad and this

would cripple the Soviet economy.In May 1942, the

invasion was launched.

The Germans reached Stalingrad in September 1942. Hitler

ordered his army to hold the city, retreat was forbidden. In

November, Soviet reinforcements arrived.

The Germans reached Stalingrad in September 1942. Hitler

ordered his army to hold the city, retreat was forbidden. In

November, Soviet reinforcements arrived.

The Soviets trapped 250,000 German troops in November. In February 1943, 91,000 were put in prison camps, and only 5,000 survived. Hitler’s army was not

invincible after all .

The Soviets trapped 250,000 German troops in November. In February 1943, 91,000 were put in prison camps, and only 5,000 survived. Hitler’s army was not

invincible after all .

More work to be doneMore work to be done

After Midway and Stalingrad, it appeared the Allies had the

momentum in this war. It would take more than two more years and millions of lives until the Germans and

Japanese surrendered however.

After Midway and Stalingrad, it appeared the Allies had the

momentum in this war. It would take more than two more years and millions of lives until the Germans and

Japanese surrendered however.