Transcript WWII
September 1, 1939:Germans swept into Poland Blitzkrieg: “lightning war” Took enemy by surprise Poland fell within a few weeks Winter 1939 – Spring 1940:sitzkrieg: “sitdown war”, “phony war” The Maginot Line April 9, 1940: Germany took control of Denmark and Norway May 15, 1940: Captured the Netherlands June 22, 1940: France signed an armistice with Germany August 1940: Germans began bombing England 1940-1941:German bombers blitzed London in the Battle of Britain British held them off The Battle of Britain June 22, 1941:Hitler launched attack on the Soviet Union Stalin issued scorched-earth policy: if Germans forced Soviets to retreat, Soviets should destroy everything invaders could use Dec. 2, 1941: Germans attacked Moscow Soviets held them off What did the US do to help? Cash-and-carry policy: September 21, 1939 US could sell war equipment to belligerent nations if they paid immediately and transported the equipment themselves Lend-lease: March 11, 1941 Authorized the President to lend war equipment to any country whose defense he deemed vital to US security I. Japan’s Isolationism A. Japan was closed to world since 1600s B. Japanese people couldn’t travel abroad C. March 1854: Japan and US signed Treaty of Kanagawa - established “permanent friendship” between 2 countries II. Early Japanese Aggression A. 1931: Japan invaded Manchuria B. 1934: Started massive military buildup C. 1936: Signed Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany D. 1940: Signed Tripartite Pact: RomeBerlin-Tokyo Axis III. US Response to Japanese Aggression A. 1940: US passed embargo against Japan 1. Prohibited sale of steel, aviation gasoline and scrap iron B. Early 1941: FDR moved US Pacific Fleet from West Coast to Pearl Harbor C. Embargo of 1941 1. US froze Japanese assets in the US 2. Closed Panama Canal to Japan 3. Activated Philippine militia 4. Placed embargo on export of oil D. Offered to reopen trade w/Japan if they withdrew from China 1. No agreement reached 2. Oct 1941: Hideki Tojo, expansionist, became Prime Minister IV. Reasons for Japanese Aggression A. Needed raw materials (coal, oil, iron) B. Wanted more space for its large population C. Wanted to open new foreign markets D. Anger at US for not recognizing “Manchukuo” (Manchuria) V. Japanese Decision to Attack A. Felt war w/US was inevitable B. Tried to act now rather than wait and be in weaker position later C. Felt surprise attack would cripple US (Notes on worksheet) Yalta: February 1945 Who Stalin met: Roosevelt, Churchill and Decisions made: 1. Disarm/disband German military and destroy military equipment 2. Wipe out Nazi party 3. Try all war criminals 4. Divide Germany and Berlin into 4 parts controlled by England, France, US and Soviet Union 5. Formation of the United Nations 6. Stalin would hold free elections in Eastern Europe Victory over Japan Kamikazes: Japanese suicide pilots July 26, 1945: US sent an ultimatum to Japan demanding unconditional surrender Japan’s US response: Refused response: Truman decided to use atomic bomb August 6, 1945: First bomb dropped on Hiroshima Deaths: 70,000 – 80,000 (immediately) Destruction: 60% of city destroyed August 9, 1945: Second bomb dropped on Nagasaki Deaths: 70,000+ September 2, 1945: Japan officially surrendered Postwar Japan Two policies: 1. Demilitarization: disbanding Japanese armed forces 2. Democratization: creating a government elected by the people (no more king)