World War II in Africa and Europe

World War II inWorld War II inAfrica and EuropeAfrica and Europe

America enters the warAmerica enters the warMillions of Americans (from all Millions of Americans (from all ethnic / racial groups) ethnic / racial groups) volunteered for duty following volunteered for duty following Pearl HarborPearl HarborSelective Service Act in effectSelective Service Act in effectAmerica wanted to invade America wanted to invade France right away in 1942 – France right away in 1942 – Stalin agreedStalin agreedChurchill thought Allies weren’t Churchill thought Allies weren’t ready yetready yet– Is a different strategy Is a different strategy

possible??possible??– How do the Allies defeat the How do the Allies defeat the

Axis Powers??Axis Powers??

Battles in AfricaBattles in AfricaBritain and Germany fought for Britain and Germany fought for control of Northern Africacontrol of Northern AfricaEgypt was important to British Egypt was important to British (Access to Suez Canal)(Access to Suez Canal)U.S. landed in Africa in Nov. U.S. landed in Africa in Nov. 19421942May 1943 – Allies with May 1943 – Allies with American forces defeat American forces defeat German forces led by Erwin German forces led by Erwin Rommel in TunisiaRommel in TunisiaAllies now able to spring into Allies now able to spring into Italy – overthrowing Mussolini Italy – overthrowing Mussolini in September 1943in September 1943

U.S. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

More trouble for GermansMore trouble for GermansThe Battle of The Battle of Stalingrad – brutal Stalingrad – brutal defeat for Germansdefeat for GermansGermans trapped in Germans trapped in city – in winter, many city – in winter, many froze to deathfroze to deathScorched-earth policyScorched-earth policy2 million military and 2 million military and civilian deaths (199 civilian deaths (199 day battle)day battle)

Invasion of France (D-Day)Invasion of France (D-Day)

June 6, 1944June 6, 19445,000 ships – 130,000 5,000 ships – 130,000 soldiers (American, soldiers (American, British, Canadian)British, Canadian)10,000 Allies 10,000 Allies killed/wounded killed/wounded Result: Successful in Result: Successful in securing the beachsecuring the beach

Map of NormandyMap of Normandy

Allied Deception at D-DayAllied Deception at D-Day

Note found with Note found with Eisenhower (never used)Eisenhower (never used)

““Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn our troops. My decision to attack at this time our troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery could do. If any blame or fault all that bravery could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”

-Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower-Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower June 1944June 1944

Allies fight into EuropeAllies fight into Europe

Allies fight Germans Allies fight Germans into Franceinto FranceParis liberated in Paris liberated in August 1944August 1944Germans final assault Germans final assault made at made at Battle of the Battle of the BulgeBulge– Allies defeat GermansAllies defeat Germans– Heavy casualtiesHeavy casualties

War comes to a CloseWar comes to a CloseStalin, Churchill, FDR Stalin, Churchill, FDR meet at Yalta to discuss meet at Yalta to discuss post-war situationpost-war situationFDR dies of stroke in FDR dies of stroke in April 1945April 1945Harry Truman now Harry Truman now PresidentPresidentHitler commits suicide in Hitler commits suicide in his Berlin bunker – Allies his Berlin bunker – Allies overrun the Germansoverrun the Germans

Horrors of the HolocaustHorrors of the Holocaust6 million Jews – and 6 million Jews – and millions of other millions of other people - killed by people - killed by NazisNazisSent to death centers Sent to death centers called “Concentration called “Concentration Camps”Camps”Based on Hitler’s Based on Hitler’s racismracism– Blamed Jews for Blamed Jews for

Germany’s problemsGermany’s problems

Band of BrothersBand of Brothers

The “Band of Brothers” miniseries follows The “Band of Brothers” miniseries follows a company of American paratroopers in a company of American paratroopers in World War II – E. Company, 506World War II – E. Company, 506thth Regiment, 101Regiment, 101stst Airborne, known as “Easy Airborne, known as “Easy Company”Company”

Episode Synopsis – Day of DaysEpisode Synopsis – Day of Days

In this episode, the focus is on the In this episode, the focus is on the Normandy invasion and Easy Company’s Normandy invasion and Easy Company’s assignment to take out a German artillery assignment to take out a German artillery installation firing on U.S. forces making the installation firing on U.S. forces making the seaborne invasion. On June 5seaborne invasion. On June 5thth and 6 and 6thth, , 1944, thousands of Allied paratroopers 1944, thousands of Allied paratroopers dropped from the sky to begin one of the dropped from the sky to begin one of the most audacious military campaigns of the most audacious military campaigns of the warwar

CastCast

Major Richard Winters – Easy Company’s Major Richard Winters – Easy Company’s commanding officercommanding officer

Captain Lewis NixonCaptain Lewis Nixon

Questions to think about…Questions to think about…

1. Red light vs. Green light1. Red light vs. Green light2. What do the troops do when being 2. What do the troops do when being dropped in the incorrect drop zonesdropped in the incorrect drop zones3. What other challenges existed? How 3. What other challenges existed? How did they overcome these challenges?did they overcome these challenges?4. What were the major themes of the 4. What were the major themes of the episode?episode?