Transcript Germany Surrenders

GERMANY’S COLLAPSE
Hitler’s Last Stand
World War II
Battle of
Britain
Poland
Invasion
Pearl
Harbor
Battle of
Stalingrad
&
Operation
Torch
D-Day
<------------------------------------------------->
1939
1940
France
Falls
1941
Invasion
Soviet
Union
1942
1943
Battle of
Midway
1944
1945
Germany
Surrenders
D-Day--June 6th 1944—
How would Hitler respond?
After D-Day
Germans initially retreats
Prepares for next battle
“This battle is to decide whether we
shall live or die”
Adolf Hitler
December 1944
Battle of the Bulge
• After D-day defeat, Germany launches counterattack
– When: Dec 1944 – Jan 1945
– Goal: defeat allies & push for a favorable peace treaty
• Short term victory for Germany:
– Surprise & poor weather were key factors
– Allies initially retreat
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler’s Last Stand
600,000 Troops!
German Soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes
Over 500,000 Americans Fight
Largest land battle for the USA during WWII
81,000 US deaths
Germany retreats & Allies rush to Berlin
Battle of the Bulge
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pttlm1DcWzk
Bombing of Dresden
• Feb. 1945- British & American Bombers completely
destroy German city
• 35,000-100,000 killed
Was this necessary?
Dresden is still controversial today! Did the Allies go too far?
Race to Berlin (April 1945)
• By April Allies race towards Berlin
• Soviets approach from East
– 6 million troops
• U.S. troops approach from West
– 3 million troops
Berlin
U.S. in Transition
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Dies
(April 12th 1945)
• Harry Truman becomes President
Hitler’s Death
• May 1st, 1945 Hitler commits suicide
“I myself and my wife choose to die in order to escape the
disgrace… of capitulation…..”I die with a happy heart”
May 7th -Germany signs unconditional surrender