Transcript Slide 1
Texas During World War II Unit 11 Ch. 23 Section 1 Depression Leads to War • The Great Depression of the 1930s hit countries in Europe as well as the U.S. • During this time, many European countries saw dictators take over their governments. • Military leaders In Germany, Italy and Japan began wars of expansion. – Axis Powers formed Adolf Hitler (Germany) Hirohito Benito (Japan) Mussolini (Italy) World War II Begins • 1939: Germany invaded Poland. • England and France both declared war on Germany—WW2 begins. • Axis Powers quickly conquers neighboring countries in Europe and SE Asia. The Allies and the U.S. • The Allied were the nations at war with the Axis Powers. The Allies included England, China, France, and Russia • Officially, the United States was neutral, but provided military equipment for the Allies through the “Lend-Lease Act” • There was a lot of debate in the U.S. about whether or not to join the war (most are against it)…U.S. will be neutral for 2 years U.S. Enters WW2 • America’s neutrality ended on December 7, 1941, when Japanese planes bombed the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. • The next day President Roosevelt asks the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. Texans Respond: Miller, Ike, and Nimitz • Doris Miller, an African American sailor from Waco, received the Navy Cross for firing at Japanese airplanes during the Pearl Harbor attack. • General Dwight D. Eisenhower (aka Ike) from Denison commanded Allied forces in Europe. • Admiral Chester Nimitz of Fredericksburg commanded the Allied forces in the Pacific. Texans Respond: Murphy and Dealey • Audie Murphy of Kingston received more medals than any other American; becomes successful movie actor • Commander Samuel D. Dealey of Dallas was “most decorated man” of U.S. Navy Texas Women Respond • Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) – organized by Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby • Women’s Air Service Pilots (WASPs) trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater; ferried aircraft • Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) – exclusive women’s group for U.S. Naval Reserve The Army Trains in Texas • Texas’s favorable climate, location b/w two coasts, and wide open spaces made it ideal for military bases • More than 100 bases built • Soldiers, sailors, and airmen came from everywhere to train Texas Prisoner of War Camps • Thousands of Germans, Italians, and Japanese soldiers captured in battle were housed in more than 20 camps • Prisoners worked performing agricultural tasks • Some Japanese and German Americans were held in “ family internment camps” for their own safety