World War II World War II Hitler’s Lightning War 1.) The German Attack 2.) The Italian Strike 3.) USSR’s aggression and then defens 4.) And U.S. saves the day again!!!
Feb 12, 2016
World War IIWorld War IIHitler’s Lightning War
1.) The German Attack
2.) The Italian Strike
3.) USSR’s aggression and then defense
4.) And U.S. saves the day again!!!
Germany Sparks a New War in EuropeGermany Sparks a New War in EuropeGermany’s Lightning AttackGermany’s Lightning Attack
September 1, 1939 — September 1, 1939 — Hitlers invasion of PolandHitlers invasion of Poland
Britain, France declare war on Germany, Britain, France declare war on Germany, but but Poland falls quickly (How so quickly)Poland falls quickly (How so quickly)
BlitzkriegBlitzkrieg — — lightning war lightning war — Germany’s new — Germany’s new military strategymilitary strategy
Planes, tanks, infantry used to surprise enemy Planes, tanks, infantry used to surprise enemy and quickly conquerand quickly conquer
Germany’s Lightning AttackGermany’s Lightning AttackThe Soviets Make Their MoveThe Soviets Make Their Move
Soviets capture Soviets capture Lithuania, Latvia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, resistance met in FinlandPoland, resistance met in Finland
Finland is invaded by the Soviet Finland is invaded by the Soviet Union in what is called the “Union in what is called the “Winter Winter WarWar.” .”
Finland surrenders in Finland surrenders in March, 1940March, 1940
Germany’s Lightning Germany’s Lightning AttackAttackThe Phony WarThe Phony War
French, British French, British mobilize along mobilize along French border, wait French border, wait for German attackfor German attack
Many months of no Many months of no action — the action — the “phony “phony war”war”
In In April 1940April 1940 Hitler Hitler attacks and quickly attacks and quickly captures captures Denmark Denmark and Norwayand Norway
German infantry attacking through a burning Norwegian village.
German Neubaufahrzeug tanks in Oslo.
The Fall of FranceThe Fall of FranceFurther GainsFurther Gains May 1940May 1940 — Germany conquers — Germany conquers
Netherlands, Belgium, LuxembourgNetherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg Soon after, German army reaches Soon after, German army reaches
French coastFrench coastRescue at Dunkirk• German forces trap British, French on coast of Dunkirk• British Navy and civilians take ships across the English Channel to rescue soldiers• June 1940 — France surrenders to Germany
DunkirkDunkirk
The Battle of BritainThe Battle of Britain Germany plans invasion of Britain; begins with Germany plans invasion of Britain; begins with air air
attacks in 1940attacks in 1940 British use British use air forceair force, , radarradar, , code-breaking to resist code-breaking to resist
GermanyGermany Battle of BritainBattle of Britain — — Air war over Britain that lasted Air war over Britain that lasted
until May 1941 (first air battle)until May 1941 (first air battle) Stunned by British resistance, Hitler calls off Stunned by British resistance, Hitler calls off
attacksattacks BritainBritain was last was last country to country to resistresist GermanyGermany
Maximum Axis Control (Sept Maximum Axis Control (Sept 1942)1942)
Battle of the AtlanticBattle of the Atlantic 1939 – 1945 (Jan. 1942 – July 1943 were 1939 – 1945 (Jan. 1942 – July 1943 were
decisive)decisive) German U-Boats were sinking German U-Boats were sinking unprotected unprotected
U.S. and other Allies' merchant ships U.S. and other Allies' merchant ships Allies began using Allies began using convoys to protect convoys to protect
shipsships The Allies also used a The Allies also used a sonar system to sonar system to
detect German U-Boatsdetect German U-Boats The Germans were The Germans were very successful in the very successful in the
beginningbeginning, but by , but by mid - 1943, the Allies mid - 1943, the Allies had the upper handhad the upper hand
Remember German U-boat domination in WWI?
"The Battle of the Atlantic was the only thing that really frightened me" - Winston Churchill.
The Mediterranean and the Eastern The Mediterranean and the Eastern FrontFront
Axis Forces Attack North Africa (Italy)Axis Forces Attack North Africa (Italy) Mussolini and Italy Mussolini and Italy at first neutralat first neutral
Mussolini declares war on Mussolini declares war on France France and Britainand Britain after after German victoryGerman victory
September 1940 September 1940 — Mussolini — Mussolini attacksattacks British in North AfricaBritish in North Africa
The Mediterranean and the Eastern The Mediterranean and the Eastern FrontFront
Britain Strikes BackBritain Strikes Back December 1940 December 1940 — British — British attack and attack and
drive Italians backdrive Italians back
Erwin Rommel (Desert Fox)Erwin Rommel (Desert Fox), German , German general, battles British in North general, battles British in North AfricaAfrica
In 1942, Rommel In 1942, Rommel first retreats then first retreats then succeeds against Britishsucceeds against British
The Mediterranean and the Eastern The Mediterranean and the Eastern FrontFront
The War in the BalkansThe War in the Balkans Hitler plans to Hitler plans to invade Soviet Uinvade Soviet Union; nion;
moves to take moves to take Balkan countriesBalkan countries
Hitler invades Hitler invades Yugoslavia and Greece in Yugoslavia and Greece in April 1941April 1941; ; both fall quicklyboth fall quickly
Operation MaritaOperation Marita began on April 6, 1941, began on April 6, 1941, with German troops with German troops invading Greece invading Greece through Bulgariathrough Bulgaria
The Battle of Greece is generally regarded as a continuation of the Greco-Italian War, which began when Italian troops invaded Greece on October 28, 1940. Within weeks the Italians were driven out of Greece and Greek forces pushed on to occupy much of southern Albania. In March 1941, a major Italian counterattack failed, and Germany was forced to come to the aid of its ally. Operation Marita began on April 6, 1941, with German troops invading Greece through Bulgaria in an effort to secure its southern flank. The combined Greek and British Commonwealth forces fought back with great tenacity, but were vastly outnumbered and outgunned, and finally collapsed.
Soviet and German invasions, annexations, and spheres of influence in Central and eastern Europe 1939-1940
Hitler Invades the Soviet UnionHitler Invades the Soviet Union Germany invades an unprepared Germany invades an unprepared
Soviet Union in Soviet Union in June 1941June 1941 Soviet troops Soviet troops burn land as they burn land as they
retreatretreat; Germans move into Russia; Germans move into Russia Germans stopped at Germans stopped at LeningradLeningrad, ,
forced to undertake forced to undertake long siegelong siege Germans Germans almost capture Moscowalmost capture Moscow, ,
but forced to pull backbut forced to pull back
Battle of Stalingrad Battle of Stalingrad ((June 1941 – January 31, 1943)June 1941 – January 31, 1943)
Germans violated Germans violated nonaggression pact nonaggression pact with Soviet Union and attackedwith Soviet Union and attacked
Hitler hoped to capture Hitler hoped to capture Soviet oil fieldsSoviet oil fields
Germans nearly won (Germans nearly won (controlled 9/10 of controlled 9/10 of the citythe city))
Winter of 1943 hitWinter of 1943 hit
Battle of Stalingrad cont…Battle of Stalingrad cont… Hitler forced Germans to Hitler forced Germans to stay putstay put
Soviets used Soviets used weatherweather to their advantage and to their advantage and wonwon
Soviets lost 1,100,000 people in this battleSoviets lost 1,100,000 people in this battle
Turning point in WWIITurning point in WWII
From that point on, From that point on, Soviet army began to Soviet army began to move westward towards Germanymove westward towards Germany
The United States Aids Its The United States Aids Its AlliesAllies
► American PolicyAmerican Policy Most Americans want to avoid warMost Americans want to avoid war Roosevelt fears that if allies fall, U.S. would have to Roosevelt fears that if allies fall, U.S. would have to
fightfight He hopes to strengthen allies so they can resist He hopes to strengthen allies so they can resist
GermanyGermany Lend-Lease ActLend-Lease Act—U.S. loans weapons to countries —U.S. loans weapons to countries
fighting Germanyfighting Germany
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease bill to give aid to Britain and China (1941)
The United States Aids Its The United States Aids Its AlliesAllies
Roosevelt Roosevelt and and Churchill Churchill meet, issue meet, issue statement statement of of principlesprinciples
Atlantic Atlantic CharterCharter——supports supports free trade, free trade, right to right to form own form own governmengovernmentt
Normandy Invasion (D-Day)Normandy Invasion (D-Day) ► June 6, 1944June 6, 1944
► During this time, Soviet Union was pushing into Poland During this time, Soviet Union was pushing into Poland and Allies were pushing North in Italyand Allies were pushing North in Italy
► Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Patton Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Patton
influential in leading attackinfluential in leading attack ► 3 million ally troops to attack3 million ally troops to attack
Normandy Invasion cont.Normandy Invasion cont.D – DayD – Day 60 mile stretch of beach60 mile stretch of beach 156,000 troops156,000 troops 4,000 landing craft4,000 landing craft 600 warships600 warships 11,000 planes11,000 planes Largest land-sea-air operation in historyLargest land-sea-air operation in history Omaha beach known as one of the most Omaha beach known as one of the most brutal areasbrutal areas
► The D-Day Museum in Portsmouth, England claims a The D-Day Museum in Portsmouth, England claims a total of 2,500 Allied troops died, while German forces total of 2,500 Allied troops died, while German forces suffered between 4,000 and 9,000 total casualties on D-suffered between 4,000 and 9,000 total casualties on D-Day. Day.
► The Heritage Foundation in the U.S. claims 4,900 U.S. The Heritage Foundation in the U.S. claims 4,900 U.S. dead on D-Daydead on D-Day
► The U.S. Army Center of Military History cites a total The U.S. Army Center of Military History cites a total casualty figure for U.S. forces at 6,036. This number casualty figure for U.S. forces at 6,036. This number combines dead and wounded in the D-Day battlescombines dead and wounded in the D-Day battles
► John Keegan, American Historian and Author believes John Keegan, American Historian and Author believes that 2,500 Americans died along with 3,000 British and that 2,500 Americans died along with 3,000 British and Canadian troops on D-DayCanadian troops on D-Day
► By the end of the of the entire Normandy Campaign, By the end of the of the entire Normandy Campaign, nearly 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, nearly 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded, or missing.wounded, or missing.
Normandy Invasion cont.Normandy Invasion cont.
The battle continuesThe battle continues
► W/in 1 month, a million more troopsW/in 1 month, a million more troops
► September 1944, France was freed from September 1944, France was freed from Nazi controlNazi control
Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge► December 16, 1944December 16, 1944
► German tanks broke through American lines (80 mile German tanks broke through American lines (80 mile front)front)
► Fought in Belgium - Germany was trying to capture Fought in Belgium - Germany was trying to capture
AntwerpAntwerp ► Very brutal war - one of the most extensive of U.S. Very brutal war - one of the most extensive of U.S.
military (120 American GIs captured and mowed down military (120 American GIs captured and mowed down by SS machine guns and pistols)by SS machine guns and pistols)
Battle of the Bulge Cont.Battle of the Bulge Cont.►Germans were winning in the beginningGermans were winning in the beginning
►120,000 Germans died (also lost 600 tanks and 120,000 Germans died (also lost 600 tanks and guns and 1,600 planes – leading to defeat))guns and 1,600 planes – leading to defeat))
►80,000 Americans died80,000 Americans died ►Americans won, but were close to losingAmericans won, but were close to losing
Yalta ConferenceYalta Conference►Took place February 1945 before WWII Took place February 1945 before WWII
was overwas over
►Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill met in Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill met in Yalta in the Soviet Union to discuss Yalta in the Soviet Union to discuss post WWIIpost WWII
►Set up United NationsSet up United Nations
Yalta – “The Big 3”Yalta – “The Big 3”
April 12, 1945April 12, 1945►At the beginning of his 4At the beginning of his 4thth Term, President Term, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt passes awayFranklin D. Roosevelt passes away
►The U.S. went through a major grieving The U.S. went through a major grieving periodperiod
►Harry S. Truman, as Vice-President, takes Harry S. Truman, as Vice-President, takes the role as Presidentthe role as President
The end of HitlerThe end of Hitler► April 30, 1945 Hitler April 30, 1945 Hitler
and Eva Braun commit and Eva Braun commit suicide (gun shot and suicide (gun shot and cyanide)cyanide)
► Bodies burned in Bodies burned in streetstreet
► Cover of Time Cover of Time magazine May 7, 1945magazine May 7, 1945
V-E DayV-E Day ► May 8, 1945May 8, 1945
► General Eisenhower accepted a surrender by the Third General Eisenhower accepted a surrender by the Third ReichReich
► V-E day = Victory in Europe dayV-E day = Victory in Europe day ► 11stst part of War was over part of War was over
PotsdamPotsdam► July – August 1945July – August 1945
►Truman, (Churchill and then Clement Truman, (Churchill and then Clement Atlee) and Stalin met in Potsdam, Atlee) and Stalin met in Potsdam, GermanyGermany
►Drew up a blueprint to disarm Germany Drew up a blueprint to disarm Germany and eliminate the Nazi regimeand eliminate the Nazi regime
Potsdam ContinuedPotsdam Continued►Divided Germany into 4 sections (occupied by Divided Germany into 4 sections (occupied by
France, Britain, U.S. and Soviet Union)France, Britain, U.S. and Soviet Union)
► Berlin to be divided up in East (or Soviet Berlin to be divided up in East (or Soviet Germany)Germany)
► Set up the Nuremberg Trials to persecute Nazi Set up the Nuremberg Trials to persecute Nazi leaders leaders
► Japan must “unconditionally surrender”Japan must “unconditionally surrender”
Potsdam, GermanyPotsdam, Germany
Nuremberg TrialsNuremberg Trials► International tribunal court tried Nazi International tribunal court tried Nazi
officialsofficials►Over 23 nations tried Nazi war Over 23 nations tried Nazi war
criminals in Nuremberg, Germanycriminals in Nuremberg, Germany►12 of the 22 defendants were 12 of the 22 defendants were
sentenced to deathsentenced to death►200 other officials were found guilty, 200 other officials were found guilty,
but give lesser sentencesbut give lesser sentences
Battle of the Coral SeaBattle of the Coral Sea ► Prior to this battle, the Japanese were winning every battle Prior to this battle, the Japanese were winning every battle
and taking over the Pacificand taking over the Pacific ► May 1942 - U.S. and Australia stopped Japan from invadingMay 1942 - U.S. and Australia stopped Japan from invading ► Japan won the actual battle, but the allies were able to stop Japan won the actual battle, but the allies were able to stop
Japan invasion for the first timeJapan invasion for the first time
► U.S. was beginning to use the Island Hopping technique to U.S. was beginning to use the Island Hopping technique to weaken Japan’s forcesweaken Japan’s forces
Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway► June 1942June 1942
► Admiral Chester Nimitz intercepted Japanese Admiral Chester Nimitz intercepted Japanese codecode
► U.S. launched surprise attack on Japan at U.S. launched surprise attack on Japan at Pacific island called MidwayPacific island called Midway
► U.S. was successful in the Battle of MidwayU.S. was successful in the Battle of Midway
Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway►The Japanese lost 4 carriers, a heavy The Japanese lost 4 carriers, a heavy
cruiser, 3 destroyers, some 275 cruiser, 3 destroyers, some 275 planes, at least 4,800 men, and planes, at least 4,800 men, and suffered heavy damage among the suffered heavy damage among the remaining vessels of their fleet. remaining vessels of their fleet.
►American losses included 1 carrier, the American losses included 1 carrier, the YorktownYorktown, a destroyer, about 150 , a destroyer, about 150 planes, and 307 men planes, and 307 men
Iwo JimaIwo Jima► Island in the Pacific that was critical Island in the Pacific that was critical
for U.S. winfor U.S. win►March 1945March 1945►27,000 Japanese held Iwo Jima27,000 Japanese held Iwo Jima►U.S. wonU.S. won
26,800 Japanese troops died26,800 Japanese troops died 6,000 U.S. Marines died6,000 U.S. Marines died
Battle of OkinawaBattle of Okinawa► June 22, 1945June 22, 1945
► Japan’s last defensive strongholdJapan’s last defensive stronghold
► Japan used 1,900 Kamikaze attacksJapan used 1,900 Kamikaze attacks
► 110,000 Japanese troops died110,000 Japanese troops died
► 7,600 - 12,500 U.S U.S. troops died7,600 - 12,500 U.S U.S. troops died
► U.S. wonU.S. won
Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project► 200,000 Japanese died due to the Atomic bombs 200,000 Japanese died due to the Atomic bombs
dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasakidropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
►HiroshimaHiroshima August 6, 1945August 6, 1945 ““Little Boy”Little Boy” In 43 seconds, the city collapsed to dustIn 43 seconds, the city collapsed to dust
►NagasakiNagasaki August 9, 1945August 9, 1945 ““Fat Man”Fat Man” Leveled half of the cityLeveled half of the city
V-J DayV-J Day►August 15, 1945: Japan offers August 15, 1945: Japan offers
unconditional surrenderunconditional surrender
►September 2, 1945: V-J Day = Victory September 2, 1945: V-J Day = Victory in Japan Day (Formal surrender)in Japan Day (Formal surrender)
U.S. Occupation of JapanU.S. Occupation of Japan►Similar trials held for Japanese war criminalsSimilar trials held for Japanese war criminals
►7 out of 28 leaders were found guilty and 7 out of 28 leaders were found guilty and sentenced to death (including Tojo)sentenced to death (including Tojo)
►U.S. occupied Japan for 6 years under the U.S. occupied Japan for 6 years under the direction of General Douglas MacArthurdirection of General Douglas MacArthur Called for a New Constitution (w/ free elections and Called for a New Constitution (w/ free elections and
women suffrage)women suffrage) Introduced a free market economyIntroduced a free market economy