Transcript Section 4: The Allies Advance

Section 4: War in Europe and
Africa
To win the war, the Allies had to regain
control of North Africa and most of Europe
Key terms: D-Day, genocide, Holocaust
Essential Questions:
What factors contributed to the Allied
victory in Europe?
North African Campaign
Time of Peril
British & American forces began to push back
the Axis forces, who were under the
command of Erwin Rommel, in North Africa.
In Nov. 1942, the British turned Rommel back
at El Alamein in Egypt. Why was this
important?
Allies used bases in North Africa to launch an
invasion of southern Europe.
Rome was liberated in June 1944 after the
Italians overthrew Mussolini and surrendered.
Tide Turns in Europe
Air campaign started over Germany in
summer of 1942 but did not crack
Germany’s determination.
After invading the Soviet Union German
troops moved quickly surrounding
Leningrade in battle lasting nearly 900
days.
Germans tried to capture Moscow in 1941.
Germany launched another offensive on
Stalingrad where rich oil reserves were
located in 1943.
Invasion of France
As Soviets pushed toward Germany from
the east, the Allies were planning massive
invasion of France from the West under
the command of General Dwight D.
Eisenhower.
On June 6, 1944 – D-Day – allied ships
landed on the coast of Normandy. Paris
was liberated on August 25, 1944.
Victory in Europe
Last desperate offensive by the Germans was at
the Battle of the Bulge on Dec. 16, 1944.
By mid April 1945, the Soviets had surrounded
Berlin. Hitler committed suicide on April 30.
Germany signed an unconditional surrender on
May 7, 1945 ending the war in Europe.
The Allies declared May 8 VE Day for “Victory in
Europe”
President Roosevelt did not share in the victory
celebration because he died suddenly on April 12,
1945 and V.P. Harry S Truman became
President.
The Holocaust
•As the Allies liberated areas that had been under
German control, they found horrifying evidence of
Nazi brutality.
•Nazi leaders had developed what they called “the
final solution of the Jewish questions” – genocide.
•Nazi troops had sent thousands of Jews to
concentration camps – many of them death camps.
•As many as 6 million Jews died in what has become
known as the Holocaust. They also killed Soviet
prisoners of war, Poles, Gypsies, and people with
handicaps.
•The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is
located in Washington DC