Copy of World War II

Eastern Europe

Immediate Causes of WW II

Western Europe With America

In June 1941 Germany, launched a Surprise Attack on the Soviet Union. By that winter Germany had surrounded Leningrad, Stalingrad and was approaching 40 Miles Moscow.

Nearly 1/3 of Soviet lands were now in German Hands. 2 million dead

Relief? not really

Scorched Earth Policy- to keep Germans from getting supplies

The German Army was ill-equipped for the Russian Winter, which halted their advance

Once the spring of 1943. The Red Army would begin their counter attack, that did not stop until they reached Berlin in 1945

There would be no allied advances until 1944.

June 6th, 1944 the Allied Forces land on the Beaches of Normandy.

This was the largest assault force the world have ever seen.

The allies successfully landed and started their push toward Germany.

In December 1944, The German Army launches its lasts major offensive. It is called the Battle of the Bulge.

Yalta Conference- Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin

Germany Surrendered on May 7th 1945 V-E Day

Germany Invades Poland on Sept 1, 1939.

Britain and France declare war on Germany two days later.

Soviet Union invade Poland on Sept 17, 1939

Polish forces surrendered 10 days later

Germany uses Blitzkrieg(lightning war) strategy.

Blitzkrieg uses tanks and air power at a fast pace to overwhelm the enemy forces.

Soviet Union

Generals involved in Europe

British-Montgomery

American- Patton, Eisenhower

German- Rommel

Germany

Britain

The Western European Theater

Maginot Line

Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact

Spring of 1940 Germany launches attacks on the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg.

The Battle of Dunkirk

Hitler then attacked France, avoiding the Maginot Line by passing through the Ardennes forest

The Nazi's Divided France into two parts. German Controlled France and Vichy France

After Hitler Conquered France, He began a Aerial Bombardment campaign on Britain.

The Battle of Britain raged on for 3 years.

France

Americas Isolationism

Lend-Lease Act

This agreement between Germany and Soviet Union, Promised that the two sides would not have aggression towards each other.

Hitler had no intentions on keeping the agreement the whole time.

Stalin believed the alliance would be helpful, but did not fully trust Hitler.

They secretly agreed to divide Poland and the Soviet Union would get Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Many Americans felt that the US Should stay out of this war.

The US was not a part of Europe and should have no involvement in Europe's Problems

The American Neutrality Acts were passed to limit American Involvement

Argued any involvement would waste American lives.

Helping Britain would make the Axis Powers enemies

Congress passes a measure that would given aid to Britain.

FDR's logic was to help Britain defeat Germany so America would not get involved.

The US sent $40 million dollars, and began to wage an economic war on the axis powers

Some American wanted to be more involved in foreign Affairs.

FDR himself believed the US could not stay out of the war.

America

Immediate Causes of World War 2

Peace Talks End with Japan

Imperial Japan Launches a Surprise Attack Pearl Harbor on Sunday December 7th, 1941.

Pearl Harbor is the largest Naval Base in US Fleet. 8 battleships were targeted, 4 were sunk

2,403 American Sailors were killed.

No Carriers were destroyed.

President Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war on Japan on Dec 8th.

The Battle of N. Africa

First taste of Combat for Americans on the Western side of the world.

From Africa, the allied forces moved up the Italian Peninsula

Generals to know - Bernard Montgomery

Erwin Rommel, George Patton

The WW2 Pacific Theater

General Douglas Mac Arthur and Admiral Nimitz

The German army sought to gain control of northern Africa and its resources.

French, British and American forces repelled the German advance, and slowly brought Northern Africa under Allied Control.

Read more about this on page 460

Africa and Mediterranean

After pearl harbor, the japanese continued their offensive. The Japanese captured the Philippines in Feb 1942

April 1942, Lt. Col. James Doolittle bombs Tokyo.-boost morale for America.

June 1942, Battle of Midway-turning point of the War.

Guadalcanal and Coral Sea were important victories

Island Hopping, Strategy for war of hopping islands toward japan. Skipping areas of intense resistance.

World War 2 Pacific cont.

July 1944 Us Forces Liberate Guam .

October 1944 US Force lands in Philippines

Feb. 1945 Us Forces land on Iwo Jima. US and Japan face terrible loses. 5,000 Marines Die

Kamikaze- Japanese pilots who deliberately Crashed their planes

into US ships

March 1945- US for land at Okinawa,

• The attack lasted 82 days
• 1,465 Kamikazes attacks, sunk 30 US ships

US forces Liberate Philippines, Manila

• August 6th The Enola Gay drops the first atomic bomb (Little Boy) on Hiroshima. 70,000-80,000 died from the bombing.
• August 9th- The Bockscar drops the Second atomic bob (Fat man) on Nagasaki. 39,000-80,000 died from the effects.

September 2nd, 1945

Japan offically surrenders on USS Missouri.

V-J Day (Victory in Japan)

Mount Suribachi Flags... Original Photo and from Marine Museum

World War Two

1939-1945