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Japanese Aggression
Japan occupied Manchuria and French Indochina, resulting in the U.S. freezing Japanese assets and cutting off all trade. These events occur throughout the 1930s. Significance: This series of events leads to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, which is when the U.S. finally joins in alliance with France, GB, and USSR. Japanese aggression brought about a positive mindset for the Americans, but a negative impact to society as a whole. -
Hitler's Rise to Power
Hitler comes to power in 1933 with the intention to rebuild the German military and also demanded more "living space." Significance: Hitler's rise to power initiated the ultimate world war between the nations that would forever reshape the world. -
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Government Agencies
Agencies such as the War Productions Board (oversaw conversion of economy from civilian to military supplies), the Automobile Industry (made vehicles used in war such as tanks and planes), the Office of Price Administration (rationing and price control), the OPA and Ration Books (gave out rations to families), and the Office of Censorship (promoted patriotism and influenced public's opinion) developed throughout the course of the war. Significance: represented U.S. people war assistance -
Hitler Invades Poland
Hitler invades Poland, marking the start of World War ll. Significance: Hitler's invasion of Poland marked the start of World War ll, which would affect the world as we knew it. Many people would die, but patriotism will increase. -
War and the American Family
Marriages and birth rates increased, but so did divorce rates. In 1940, there were 16 divorces per 100 marriages, but in 1944, there were 27 divorces per 100 marriages. Additionally, high school enrollments dropped due to serving/enlistment and juvenile delinquency rates increased. -
The Big Three
The Big Three was comprised of the leaders of the Allied Nations. They were Winston Churchill (GB), Joseph Stalin (USSR), and Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S.). They worked together during the war. -
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Woman in the Workforce
Women took on many roles during the war, even though they were married. However, they still did traditional chore work. From train operators to actually serving in the military, women were a force to be reckoned with. -
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Race Relations
Navajo's assisted in the war by using codes that couldn't be cracked. Almost 25,000 served in the armed forces. Additionally, many (about 1 million) African Americans served in armed forces in segregated units. Hispanics were relied on by U.S. farmers because of the Bracerolaborers. Due to Pearl Harbor, Americans were hostile to Jap-Amer (put in camps). Holocaust (Hitler kills six mil Jews and places them in concentration camps). Significance: showed the change in relationships due to war. -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese attack the Navy Base in Hawaii, resulting in:
19 sunken ships
350 destroyed planes
2,400 deaths Significance: The attack on Pearl Harbor completely unified the Americans, which is seen through their patriotism throughout the war. Pearl Harbor brought about positive and negative effects. Although many were killed, the country became unified and also joined the alliances. Additionally, because of Pearl Harbor, the US were no longer neutral. -
Finances During the War/Revenue Act of 1942
The cost of WWll was x10 the cost of WWl (about $250 million a day) and as a result money was needed. Through war bonds (debt increased) and the Revenue Act of 1942, money was raised. The Revenue Act of 1942 reformed the way people were taxed by withholding taxes and directly taking it our of people's paychecks. Tax rates for all increased and people paid taxes on their wages, resulting in 20 times the tax revenue in 1945 than 1940. Significance: practice still used today. -
War in the Pacific: Midway
The U.S. had an important base in the Pacific. Midway was located between Hawaii and Japan. The U.S. came out victorious in this battle. It was a decisive victory. Significance: It was a turning point in the war in the Pacific. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a bloody battle between the German and Russian forces, where the Russians defeated the Germans and forced them to retreat. Significance: To the entire war, the Battle of Stalingrad was the turning point of the war in Europe. Additionally, the location was near Russia's oil reserves. If Germany captured this territory, it would have severely damaged Russia's ability to fight in the war. -
War in the Pacific: Tarawa
Many people were injured. More than 1,000 Americans killed and 5,000 Japanese died. -
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Battle of the Bulge
Hitler's reserve units embarked on an attack on allied forces in attempt to disrupt the flow of supplies to Belgium. However, the Germans were forced to retreat because the end of the fighting was drawing near. Significance: Signified the near conclusion of the war with Germany. -
D-Day
The allied forces of France, GB, Canada, and the U.S. participated in an allied invasion in western France. It involved over 200,000 allied troops, 11,000 aircraft, and 4,000 vessels. It was a step closer to the liberation of Europe. Dwight Eisenhower was their leader. It was the second front Stalin had been looking for. Significance: It was one step closer towards the liberation of Europe, and the defeat of Germany. -
Yalta Conference
A conference that decided that following Germany's defeat, free elections would be held in Poland, Germany would be occupied by allied powers, the USSR would rejoin the war against Japan, and the allied powers would participate in the UN. Significance: The conference set up the basis for life after the war. It helped Germany get back on its feet despite the war. These principles were guidelines to follow after Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945, a week after Hitler's suicide. -
War in the Pacific: Iwo Jima
Very bloody. 27,000 U.S. casualties (1/3 of Marines killed) -
Firebomb in Tokyo
Tokyo was firebombed, resulting in 80,000 deaths and 200,000 destroyed buildings. Significance: Even though the Japanese were literally toasted, they still continued to fight. This showed their resilience. -
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Okinawa
Battle occurred here. 12,000 Americans died; nearly 40,000 wounded. 110,000 Japanese dead. 80,000 Japanese civilians dead or wounded. -
Roosevelt's Death/Harry S. Truman's Presidency/Manhattan Project
Roosevelt was in Warm Springs, Georgia where he was getting a portrait painted. He claimed he had a headache, and later that day died of a cerebral hemorrhage. After his death, his VP, Harry S. Truman assumed Presidency, but had no prior knowledge of the Manhattan project (construction of atomic bomb), as he and Roosevelt didn't have a strong relationship. Significance: One of the Big Three leaders had died, and America lost the leader that had lead them through the majority of the war. -
Atomic Warfare: Hiroshima
Due to Japan's uncooperativeness to surrender, atomic warfare resulted. In Hiroshima 100,000 were killed or injured and 100,000 more possibly died of burns and radiation later on. -
Atomic Warfare: Nagasaki
Nearly 60,000 died and thousands more followed. Significance: Both the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki showed Japan that the U.S. would stop at nothing to get them to surrender. Although very inhumane, this portrayed the U.S.'s power of destruction. It showed that the U.S. could carry out their threats. -
Japanese Surrender
After much warfare and bombings, the Japanese finally surrender. Significance: This marked the end of WWll. The nations no longer had to fight and no more deaths/lives were threatened by disputes (well hopefully).