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Employment Gains for Women/Rosie the Riveter (Home Front)
As many men were going into war, the women had to fill the roles that the men had previously filled. The character called Rosie the Riveter represented the importance for women to be in industrial work during this time of need for jobs. It helped eliminate some of the prejudice against working mothers. -
The War and the West (Home Front)
The region that was most affected by the war was the West Coast. Because it was the closest to Japan, naturally, it became a launching point and became a center for weapons manufacturing. The United State's large amount of resources and people allowed them to quickly produce anything they needed for the war on Japan and in Europe. The allied benefited heavily from the United State's resources that they so desperately needed. -
National Defense Research Committee (Home Front)
The NDRC oversaw the innovations in technology. The organization spent over 100 million dollars in research, more than had ever been seen before. The United States benefited from these innovations. One example is their technique for mass producing military equipment which allowed them to replenish their supply of weapons and military vehicles quicker than the enemy. The allied powers benefited from this the same way the United States did. -
Wartime Science & Technology/Radar & Sonar (Home Front)
The United States had many innovations in technology that allowed them to contribute to the WWII victory. At first it seems as if Germany and Japan had the technological advantage, but the United States had many techniques of mass production and improved sonar/radar technology that allowed them to dominate. For example, Germany's U-boats became less effective once radar/sonar was improved. These improved technologies allowed the United States to have the upper hand in battle. -
ULTRA/Magic (Home Front)
ULTRA was a British program to decode communications from the enemy. They were successful in figuring out how to decode thousands of German communications.Magic was an operation by the US to decode Japanese coding systems. Pearl harbor could have been prevented if this program had been implemented soon enough. Allowed the US and the allies to gain the upper hand on Germany by knowing their every move without their knowledge. -
Manhattan Project (Home Front)
The United States started the work to develop the atomic bomb after there were reports that Nazi scientists had started trying to created it as well. After the discovery that Uranium was radioactive, the project became feasible. The scientists developed this weapon faster than ever thought possible and a test was conducted and it exceeded expectations. They were later used to force Japan to surrender unconditionally. Allowed the US to win against Japan quickly. -
FEPC (Home Front)
FEPC, or the Fair Employment Practices commission was an organization that attempted to insure that workers were being treated fairly in the workplace regardless of race. Allowed the workplace to be more integrated. Its effectiveness was limited, but it was more of a symbolic victory for African Americans that had been segregated in the workplace. -
Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor (War Front)
The attack on Pearl Harbor was an attack by the Japanese on a naval base in Hawaii. It was carried out by airplanes dropping bombs on aircraft carriers and buildings. Many more Americans were killed compared to Japanese casualties.
This event was the tipping point for most citizens to support the United States joining WWII, now that US soil had been attacked.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a strong boon to the allied powers in WWII because now the have the resources of the United States -
Bataan Death March (War Front)
The Bataan Death March was the event in which American and Filipino POW’s were forced to walk from Bataan to Camp O’Donnell after the defeat and surrender at Bataan. Due to the poor treatment of the American soldiers in this march, it created stronger anti-Japanese sentiment in the United States. Contributed to the idea of housing Japanese Americans in camps. It was one of the largest losses for the US ever which somewhat demoralizes the United States and created a hatred for the Japanese. -
CORE (War Front)
CORE stands for the Congress of Racial Equality. It is an organization advocating for equal rights. It's major victory was forcing a restaurant in DC to serve African Americans as well. It would inspire the civil rights movement in the 1950's. Led to African Americans being allowed in the military and other government positions. -
Native American Code Talkers (War Front)
The Native American code talkers were native Americans that used the Navajo language as a method of communication that could not be decoded by enemies. It allowed the United States to communicate over radio without the enemy knowing their plans. Enemies were not able to decode the language and therefore, did not know the United States next move in a battle. They helped the United States carry out battles in WWII which impacted the war as a whole. -
War Production Board (Home Front)
The War Production Board was intended to be a super-agency that had powers over the US economy. However, the WBP never won control over any military purchases. The WBP did nothing for the US, and the US was still able to meet the needs of the military through free market methods instead of a controlling government program. It did not effect the war very much. -
Employment Gains for Mexican Americans (Home Front)
During the depression, Mexican Americans were sidelined in order to employ white workers. As the depression ended, more and more Mexican Americans were immigrating to the US. Due to the wartime labor shortage, there was an increase in Mexican-American employment. Allowed jobs to be filled that were desperately needed in order to provide the resources needed for the war. -
Japanese Internment (Home Front)
Because the US was currently at war with Japan, the US thought it necessary to house any Japanese that resided within the US in camps, fearing that they may revolt due to loyalty to their home country. This occurred because of the anti-Japanese prejudice in the US that was present even before the war began but was invigorated by it. These internment camps did not affect the war in any way and was a mistake on the United State's part. -
Battle of Midway (War Front)
The Battle of Midway was a naval battle between the United States and Japan that took place after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was a surprise attack on the Japanese due to the United States being able to decipher the codes the Japanese used to communicate. It was the first naval loss for the Japanese in 50 years. The victory gave US confidence in their naval abilities and weakened Japan's confidence. It was a turning point in the war and it scared the axis powers that they awoke the giant -
Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act (Home Front)
The phrase “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” influenced the decision to repeal this act. The US and China were becoming closer to being allies as they had a common enemy, Japan. When they finally repealed the act, the quota for Chinese allowed to enter the US was very small, but increased gradually. Allowed for more workers in the US to create the materials needed for war. -
Casablanca Conference (War Front)
The Casablanca Conference was a meeting between the leaders of the allied powers, excluding the Soviet Union because Stalin declined to attend. The meeting was to discuss global military strategy.
This meeting allowed FDR to get a better idea of what the other axis powers were planning to do, and then he made decisions accordingly in the US military. This meeting allowed all of the axis powers to come together and form one strategy instead of being more independent which would be less effective -
Zoot Suit Riots (Home Front)
Zoot Suits refer to the way the pachucos dressed in their gang. Many white residents of Los Angeles became weary of the Mexican gangs. This resulted in a riot against the Zoot Suits in which Mexican communities were invaded. The riots resulted in the wearing of Zoot Suits being banned. These riots were a distraction of the task at hand which was WWII. -
Tuskegee Airmen (War Front)
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African-American pilots. Since the military was racially segregated, this group was created to allow the best African-American pilots to become fighter pilots. They were not deployed for some time, but were eventually deployed due to pressure from black leaders. The Tuskegee Airmen being permitted was progress for racial issues in the US. The Tuskegee Airmen contributed to the many battles that occurred, eventually leading to the victory of WWII. -
Cairo Conference (War Front)
The Cairo Conference was a meeting of leaders of the allied nations to discuss their goals with regard to the war against Japan. They came to the conclusion that they wanted Japan to surrender unconditionally and they would lose all territory gained since WWI. This conference was the start to the surrender that would occur after the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki two years later. This discussion would shape the actions taken on Japan by all countries involved. -
Tehran Conference (War Front)
The Tehran Conference was a meeting between FDR, Churchill and Stalin to discuss military efforts against Germany. They pledged to create the United Nations after the war was finished. Created more responsibility for the US in Europe because now they were committed to aiding the Soviet Union by relieving pressure on them. The countries involved in this meeting took a stronger stance on Nazi Germany, even considering an invasion of France which they had taken over. -
Korematsu v. US (Home Front)
This court case ruled that it was constitutional to relocate the Japanese to internment camps. It prohibited the internet of loyal citizens, but it left that term up to the discretion of the government. Since we were at war with Japan, the government deemed that the Japanese were not loyal and therefore, could be placed in internment camps. This did not impact the war much, but was a waste of time and resources that could have been used fighting Japan. -
1944 Presidential Election (Home Front)
In the 1944 election, FDR won a fourth term against Thomas Dewey. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and House. Allowed FDR to continue his agenda for WWII. -
Invasion of Normandy (War Front)
The invasion of Normandy was the allied operation that launched against German-controlled France. It caused the German army to split along two fronts, having to fight two wars at once. It was the beginning point for which WWII was won by the allied powers. .Marked the beginning of the end for German occupation which instilled confidence in US citizens that this war was being fought for a valid reason. It was the turning point for WWII now that Germany was severely weakened and spread out. -
Battle of the Bulge (War Front)
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive that was fought in the Ardennes region. It was intended to stop Allies from using a port in Belgium. The attack was ultimately unsuccessful, but it did delay the allies offensive plans for several weeks. Somewhat delayed the allies progress, but further weakened Germany's forces. -
Yalta Conference (War Front)
The Yalta Conference was a meeting of the leaders of the US, UK, and Soviet Union in order to discuss the reorganization of Germany after the war had concluded. Because the US had a voice in this conference, it made sure that US democratic ideals were being instilled in Europe after the war. This conference further legitimized the inevitable victory of the allies. -
Iwo Jima (War Front)
The battle of Iwo Jima was a US invasion of the island of Iwo Jima. They ultimately captured the island. It allowed the US to use these islands as air fields for fighters that would fly into Germany. The island would be used as a staging point. Furthered the allies efforts to prevent Japan from invading other nations. -
Battle of Okinawa (War Front)
The Battle of Okinawa was an invasion by the US in order to capture utilize the bases located on the Island of Okinawa in order to invade mainland Japan. This victory for the US allowed the military to get even closer to mainland japan in order to prepare to attack. Furthered the allies efforts in curbing Japan's empire. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps and the end of the Holocaust (War Front)
As Germany began to lose power, many concentration camps were liberated. This resulted in the people inside being free, but they were often not accepted into the United States and find another country to live in. Since many of the troops liberating these camps were from the United State, it created a positive reputation of the US within these people contained within the camps. Many people finally realized the atrocities that the Nazis had committed during WWII. -
VE Day (War Front)
VE day was a day that celebrated Germany's unconditional surrender. It marked the end of World War II for most countries. While the US was still fighting with Japan, they no longer had to worry about Europe when it came to giving resources. Europe no longer was under control of Germany and it could start rebuilding. -
Potsdam Conference (War Front)
The Potsdam Conference was a meeting between the USSR, the USA, and the UK in order to discuss the details of Germany's unconditional surrender that they had agreed to. The conversations included maintaining order postwar, and countering the effects the war had on Germany. This was pretty much the end of the war for the US except for the atomic bombs on Japan. Now that Germany was under control, Europe could start rebuilding. -
Atomic Bombs Dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (War Front)
The United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This occurred after Japan rejected the unconditional surrender to the allies. Around 350000 were killed. The nuclear bombings meant victory for the United States because Japan knew they could keep bombing if they did not meet the allied powers demands. This was the final end to WWII. -
VJ Day (War Front)
VJ Day stands for Victory over Japan day. It was the way in which Japan officially surrendered. WWII was finally finished for the United States. WWII is officially finished with no battles remaining.