World War II, 1939-1945
I.
World War II as Experience and Memory
II.
The cast of characters
a.
The allies and of course the big 3- U.S., Great Britain, Soviet Union, FDR,
Churchill, Stalin
b.
The axis powers- Germany, Italy, Japan, Mussolini, Hitler, Hirohito
III.
Roots of the War: massive expansion by Italy, Japan, and Germany, 1930’a
onward
a.
Italy- Mussolini looking to expand beyond borders, start to move into
Mediterranean and north Africa
b.
Japan- looking to create own empire, strong nationalism, strong hostility and
resentment towards western colonialism, looking for raw materials, first move
into China in 1931, by 1937 launched full scale invasion of China (rape of
Nanking), then begin to move into southeast Asia
c.
Germany- real desire to assert national pride, Hitler comes to power in 1933
and defies treaty of Versailles, re-militarizes and moves into the Rhineland,
moves and annexes Austria (1938), takes Sudetenland part of Czechoslovakia.
Neville Chamberlain wants to keep war from coming.
i.
Concentration camps set up in 1930’s, saw as place to put political threats
and social degenerates
IV.
Hitler’s war in Europe
a.
Invasion of Poland (1939), “blitzkrieg”-lightning war, Poland falls in three
weeks, war is declared in response, Great Britain and France
b.
Germany marches throughout Europe- Germany unstoppable
i.
1941 attacks the Soviet Union in defiance of the Non-Aggression Pact
V.
Where did the US stand?
a.
Persistent isolationism
b.
US should stick with own interest in Western Hemisphere, really wanted to
stay out of European affairs
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c.
Neutrality acts 1935, 1936, and 1937, forbid the sale of arms to nations at war,
forbids the giving of loans to those who have not paid their WWI debts
VI.
But soon America enter wars- FDR chips away at neutrality
a.
Cash and carry- allows the sale of arms but have to pay in cash and transport it
themselves Lend-lease- could borrow weapons for duration of the war
b.
Slow change of public opinion- hearing stories of Nazis and Japanese. We
have the desire to protect free societies and free trade
c.
Attack on Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941, did not expect attack at Pearl
Harbor which was a shock, following day war declared on Japan, three days
following Germany and Italy declare war on US
d.
US now officially engaged in the war
VII.
War in Europe continues
a.
The shifting of tides- Battle of Stalingrad (July 1942-February 1943)- battle
becomes contest of wills between Hitler and Stalin. Russians refusing to back
down, able to launch counter-offensive on Germans and to cut off their supply
lines
b.
Allied offensive in Africa (Nov 1942-May 1943)- US generals Eisenhower
and Patten throught Italy up to Cicily
c.
But what about the Second Front? Never going to be able to win unless allies
open second front. At long last the opening of the second front: D-Day (June
6, 1944). Under command of Eisenhower land in France and drive towards
Germany liberating France and Belgium. Begin large scale bombings of
German cities
d.
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