World War II –Turning the Tide :World War II –Turning the Tide Allied Victories 1942-1945


The Atlantic Charter :The Atlantic Charter Churchill and FDR meet secretly after invasion of Soviet Union Decide once Axis Powers defeated, there would be no territorial changes contrary to the wishes inhabitants (self-determination) Called for “a permanent system of general security”: later became the United Nations Stalin endorsed the agreement soon thereafter


U.S. Neutrality :U.S. Neutrality Neutrality Acts in 1930s prevented FDR from drawing U.S. into the conflict earlier. In general, a mood if isolationism prevailed in the United States, leading the U.S. to stay out of the conflict. Lend-Lease Act (1941) gave large amounts of money and supplies to help Britain and Soviets; effectively ended U.S. neutrality.


U.S Entry :U.S Entry U.S. puts oil trade embargo on Japan for its attacks in China. Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, resulted in U.S. entry into the war Hitler declared war on U.S.: (another fatal blunder!) Instead of focusing on Japan, U.S. (along with Britain) would instead focus on defeating Germany first. The Grand Alliance formed in 1942: Britain, Soviet Union and U.S. and 2 dozen other countries


The Soviet Counterattack :The Soviet Counterattack The Germans pushed toward the oil rich Caucasus region. Stalingrad was the key. Dec. 1942: first Nazi defeat on land; Sixth army surrenders. Soviets began the 2.5 year campaign of pushing the German army back to Berlin. By the end of 1943, the Russians had taken back 2/3 of Soviet Territory.


War Diplomacy :War Diplomacy Casablanca Conference,1943 FDR and Churchill declared a policy of unconditional surrender for “all enemies” Italy would be invaded first before opening 2nd Front in France (to Stalin's dismay) Moscow Conference: 1943: US obtained Soviet agreement to enter the war against Japan after Germany was defeated and to participate in a world organization after the war was over.


Tehran Conference, 1943 :Tehran Conference, 1943 First meeting of the “Big Three”: Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin Allies agreed to an invasion of the Western Europe in 1944. Stalin reaffirmed the Soviet commitment to enter the war against Japan


Tehran Conference, 1943 :Tehran Conference, 1943 Stalin insisted on Soviet control of Eastern Europe and the carving up of Germany Churchill demanded free governments in Eastern Europe and a strong Germany after the war to preserve a balance of power in Europe. Roosevelt acted as a mediator and believed he could work with Stalin to achieve a post-world peace within the construct of the United Nations.


The Mediterranean :The Mediterranean “Operation Torch”, 1943: U.S. and British forces landed on North Africa El Alamein: British under Bernard Montgomery (“Monty”) drove the German Afrika Corps and General Erwin Rommel (“The Desert Fox”)out of Egypt Germany eventually defeated and suffered mass casualties and surrenders. Invasion of Sicily and Italy began in 1943


Allied Air Campaign :Allied Air Campaign In 1944, the Allies began a directed aerial bombing campaign against Germany. American air crews specialized in daylight precision bombing, while the British conducted nighttime raids. During the following two years, German industry, railroads, and cities were destroyed.


Invasion of Western Europe :Invasion of Western Europe D-Day, Operation Overlord, June 6, 1944: invasion of Normandy (northern French coast) by American, British, Canadian, and other allied forces under he command of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. Western front established; spelled end of Nazi domination of Europe; Paris liberated in August. Hitler now fighting on three fronts: east against Russians, west against U.S. and Britain (& France) and Italy against U.S. and Britain


Allied Victories in the West :Allied Victories in the West Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944: Hitler's last gasp offensive to drive Allies away from western German border; after it failed, Allies quickly penetrated deep into Germany in 1945.


War in the Pacific :War in the Pacific Japanese offensive at Midway defeated in June 1942 (three aircraft carriers sunk). U.S begins island-hoping campaign in the Pacific. Americans close in on Japan taking Iwo Jima and Okinawa in Spring 1945. Japanese use kamikazes in attempt to slow advancing Americans. US prepares for invasion of Japan in 1946.


Ending the War :Ending the War V-E Day, May 8, 1945: Germany surrenders (Hitler committed suicide a few days earlier) End of the war against Japan: U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Russia invades Manchuria


The Holocaust :The Holocaust Holocaust resulted in deaths of 6 million Jews and 6 million others Hitler's "Final Solution" to the Jewish problem Formal plan came at Wanasee Conference in 1942 Six death camps built in Poland in addition to hundreds of concentration camps. Auschwitz was most notorious camp. Auschwitz


Securing the Peace :Securing the Peace Yalta Conference, 1945: "Big Three" met again Stalin agreed to enter Pacific war within 3 months after Germany surrendered Stalin agreed to a “Declaration of Liberated Europe” which called for free elections. Called for United Nations to meet in U.S. beginning in April 1945 Soviets would have 3 votes in General Assembly


Securing the Peace :Securing the Peace U.S., Britain, USSR, France & China to be permanent members of Security Council. Germany to be divided into occupied zones and a coalition government of communists and non-communists was agreed to for Poland. U.S.S.R. allowed to keep its pre-1939 territory. FDR accepted Soviet control of Outer Mongolia, the Kurile Islands, the southern half of Sakhalin Island, Port Arthur (Darien), and partial operation of the Manchurian railroads.


Securing the Peace :Securing the Peace Potsdam Conference, July 1945: Stalin, Harry Truman and Clement Atlee Issued warning to Japan of unconditional surrender or face utter devastation Stalin reversed his position on eastern Europe stating there would be no free elections Approvals given to concept of war-crimes trials and the demilitarization and denazification of Germany. Reparations from Germany could be taken from each respective zone. During conference Truman ordered dropping of atomic bomb on Japan


Results of the war :Results of the war About 55 million dead (including missing); 22 million in USSR alone. Holocaust resulted in deaths of 6 million Jews and 6 million others. Millions homeless and millions relocated (especially Germans living outside Germany) Much of Europe lay in ruins: would take years to rebuild economy Women played even larger role in the war economy than in WWI (gained more rights after war) The U.S. and Soviet Union emerged as the two dominant powers in the postwar world.