America and World War Two

“The Good War”

“The Good War”

"Stars over Berlin and Tokyo will soon replace these factory lights reflected in the noses of planes at Douglas Aircraft's Long Beach, Calif., plant. Women workers groom lines of transparent noses for deadly A-20 attack bombers." October 1942

World War Two- An Introduction

• World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's nations including the major powers of the time: THE ALLIES (led by the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union) and THE AXIS powers (led by Germany, Japan, and Italy).
• The war began with Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, and quickly spread as Germany “annexed” (conquered) several neighboring countries.
• The war was characterized by major battles on multiple fronts, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
• The HOLOCAUST, a genocide in which millions of Jews and other minorities were systematically murdered by the Nazis, was a major atrocity of the war.
• The war ended with the unconditional surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945, and the subsequent dropping of atomic bombs by the United States on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945.

The Denver Post, Extra Edition, December 7th, 1941.

Pre-war cartoon. Who is this created by? What is his message to the American People?

Fascism 101

• FASCISM: A political ideology that seeks to create a totalitarian government, in which the state has complete control over all aspects of society, including the economy, culture, and individual freedoms.
• FASCIST REGIMES often promote aggressive expansionism and the subjugation of other nations and peoples.
• FASCISM emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and the suppression of opposition and dissent.
• The concept of the "HOMELAND" is central to the idea of national identity and pride. Fascists believe that the nation or race is the most important entity and that individual rights and freedoms come second to the interests of the state. The "Homeland" is glorified and celebrated as the source of all strength, virtue, and unity.
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German Propaganda Poster, 1940 “Victory is with our Flags!”

German Propaganda Poster, 1941: “The Front Speaks to the Homeland.” This advertises a community meeting to discuss wartime experiences with returning soldiers.

World War Two- The Causes

• TREATY OF VERSAILLES: The harsh terms imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, including crippling war reparations, territorial losses, and limitations on the German military, created a sense of resentment and humiliation among Germans.
• Rise of FASCISM: The rise of fascist regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan during the 1920s and 1930s created a climate of aggression and expansionism, as these nations sought to expand their territory and exert dominance over other nations.
• ECONOMIC TURMOIL: The Great Depression of the 1930s led to high unemployment rates and social unrest. This economic turmoil created conditions that allowed fascist regimes to gain power, as they promised to restore order and prosperity through aggressive expansionism.

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Political Cartoon showing Germany trapped by WW1 Reparations, 1921.

Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, 1937

World War Two- The Causes

• APPEASEMENT: The policy of appeasement pursued by Great Britain and France in the 1930s, which involved giving in to the demands of aggressive powers like Germany in the hopes of avoiding war. This only emboldened Germany, allowing them to continue their aggressive expansion.
• INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY AND THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS were supposed to prevent the aggression of fascist regimes and maintain peace in Europe and Asia. This was extremely ineffective and actually led to a breakdown of trust and cooperation between nations.
• TRIGGER EVENTS: The invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939, along with Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, were key trigger events that led to the escalation of the war and the involvement of major world powers in the conflict.

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What is meant by this Political Cartoon?

The New York Times, September 1, 1939.

German Goals in World War 2

• EXPANSION: Expansion of German territory: Hitler believed that Germany needed more living space (called “Lebensraum”) and aimed to expand the country's borders by conquering territories in Europe and beyond.
• DEFEAT OF COMMUNISM: Hitler saw communism as a threat to Germany's national security and aimed to destroy the Soviet Union, which he viewed as the heart of international communism.
• RACIAL PURITY: Hitler believed in the concept of Aryan supremacy and sought to create a "pure" Germanic race by eliminating "undesirable" groups, such as Jews, Roma, homosexuals, and others.
• ECONOMIC DOMINATION: Germany aimed to establish economic dominance over Europe and create a self-sufficient economic system through the exploitation of conquered territories.
• MILITARY SUPERIORITY: Germany aimed to create a powerful military machine that could conquer and hold territories against any opposition.

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German Propaganda Poster- “Say YES! to a greater Germany” Dated April, 1938.

Japanese Goals in World War 2

• EXPANSION: Japan aimed to expand its empire by conquering territories in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia.
• RESOURCE ACQUISITION: Japan sought to secure access to natural resources, such as oil, rubber, and minerals, which were vital to the country's industrialization and military power. Japan is naturally limited in its local resources.
• DEFEAT OF WESTERN POWERS: Japan saw the Western powers, particularly the United States, as a threat to its ambitions in Asia and aimed to weaken or defeat them in order to establish dominance in the region.
• PRESERVATION OF THE EMPEROR’S AUTHORITY: The Japanese government believed that the emperor was a divine figure and sought to preserve his authority and position in society.

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JAPANESE PROPAGANDA POSTER, “Valiant Japanese soldiers are invincible in battle, advanced Japanese weaponry is the most dominant in the world.” Dated 1938.

The Allies Goals in World War 2

• DEFEAT OF AXIS POWERS: The main objective of the Allies was to defeat the Axis powers, comprised of Germany, Italy, and Japan, and put an end to their aggressive expansionism and militarism.
• PRESERVATION OF NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY: The Allies aimed to preserve the independence and sovereignty of nations, particularly those under threat of conquest by the Axis powers, such as France, Poland, etc.
• PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: The Allies sought to promote the values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, which were threatened by the authoritarian regimes of the Axis powers.
• PROTECTION OF CITIZENS AND PREVENTION OF WAR CRIMES: The Allies aimed to protect civilians from the brutality of war and prevent war crimes, particularly those committed by the Axis powers.

RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA POSTER, “Together, we will slaughter the Fascist Beast.” Dated 1941.

America’s Neutrality- The Lend Lease Act

• THE NEUTRALITY ACTS: A series of laws passed in the 1930s to prevent American involvement in another world war. These laws prohibited the sale of weapons and ammunition to nations at war. The act also required belligerent countries to pay cash for any non-military goods they purchased from the United States, a measure designed to prevent the country from being drawn into a conflict on credit.
• AMERICAN NEUTRALITY: At the start of World War II, the United States of America officially declared neutrality and tried to avoid involvement in the war.
• THE LEND-LEASE ACT: The U.S. recognized the danger of Nazi Germany, and sought to help its allies in Europe, especially Great Britain. In 1940, the U.S. Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the country to lend or lease military supplies, food, and other essential resources to nations fighting against the Axis powers.
• EXPANSION: The Lend-Lease program was later expanded to include the Soviet Union and China. By the end of the war, the U.S. had provided over $50 billion worth of aid to its allies.

Postcard sent to members of Congress, 1939, asking them to support sending money to Allies, so that we never have to send troops.

US Propaganda Poster supporting the Lend Lease Act, 1943.

America Finally Enters the War- Timeline

• SEPTEMBER 1, 1939: Nazi Germany invades Poland, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany.
• 1940: Germany invades Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, causing millions of refugees to flee to neighboring countries.
• 1941: Germany invades the Soviet Union, prompting the Soviet Union to join the Allied powers.
• THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR: The United States remained officially neutral until December 7, 1941, when Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,400 Americans. The attack led to the U.S. declaring war on Japan, and Germany subsequently declared war on the U.S.
• DECEMBER 8, 1941: The U.S. declares war on Japan, and Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.
• DECEMBER 11, 1941: The U.S. declares war on Germany, Italy, and other Axis Powers.

FDR Addresses Congress about Pearl Harbor, November 8, 1941.

America Mobilizes

• DECLARATION OF WAR: On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, which it did with only one dissenting vote. This declaration of war was followed by similar declarations against Germany and Italy on December 11.
• WAR PRODUCTION: The U.S. government began to mobilize the country's industrial and economic resources for war production. Roosevelt established the War Production Board to oversee the conversion of peacetime industries to wartime production. The government also imposed rationing and price controls to conserve resources and ensure equitable distribution of goods.
• MILITARY DRAFT: The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 was expanded, and the government instituted a draft to increase the size of the military. By the end of the war, over 16 million Americans had served in the armed forces.
• WOMEN AND MINORITIES GO TO WORK: With so many men in the military, women and minorities were encouraged to take on jobs in manufacturing, transportation, and other industries.

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“Rosie the Riveter” encourages women to join the WW2 workforce, 1942.

Boeing B-17E Flying Fortresses under construction, Seattle, WA, 1942.

America Converts to Wartime Production

• Ford Motor Company/General Motors/Plymouth: In addition to producing cars, these companies produced military vehicles during World War II, including tanks, jeeps, amphibious vehicles and trucks.
• General Electric: This company produced a wide range of military equipment during World War II, including airplane engines, radar equipment, and machine guns.
• DuPont: This chemical company produced a wide range of materials and products that were critical to the war effort, including synthetic rubber, nylon, and explosives.
• IBM: IBM provided the U.S. military with advanced computing equipment that was critical for codebreaking and other intelligence work.
• Westinghouse: This company produced a variety of military equipment during World War II, including radar systems, anti-aircraft guns, and ship components.
• Eastman Kodak: This company produced a variety of materials and products that were important for the war effort, including aerial reconnaissance cameras and film.

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An assembly line making aircraft, Bell Aircraft Corporation, Niagara Falls, NY, 1942.

Supporting the War on the Homefront- Rationing

• RATIONING: The government implemented a system of rationing that limited the amount of goods, including food, gasoline, and rubber, that civilians could purchase. This was done to ensure that enough resources were available to support the military.
• GASOLINE: The government rationed gasoline to conserve fuel for military use. Each family was allotted a certain number of gallons per week, depending on their needs and location. The average weekly ration was about 3-4 gallons per car.
• FOOD: The government rationed most food, including meat, sugar, coffee, and canned goods. Each person was given a set number of points per week that they could use to purchase these items. The point system varied depending on the item and the availability of the product. For example, a pound of sugar cost 2 ration points, and a pound of meat cost 8 ration points.
• CLOTHING: The government implemented a system of rationing for clothing and shoes. Each person was given a set number of clothing coupons per year that they could use to purchase new clothing.
• TIRES: Each family was allowed a certain number of tires per year, depending on their needs and the availability of the product. The average ration was one tire per year.

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World War 2 rationing propaganda poster, 1942.

A WW2 War Rationing Coupon Book for a housewife in Maine, 1942.

Supporting the War on the Homefront- Rationing

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THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF FOOD AVAILABLE PER PERSON UNDER THE AMERICAN RATION COUPON SYSTEM DURING WORLD WAR 2:

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• 1 pound of meat (later reduced to ¾ pound)
• 3 pounds of vegetables (including potatoes)
• 2 pounds of fruit (seasonal)
• 1 pound of sugar
• 1 pound of coffee
• 1/2 pound of cheese
• 1/2 pound of butter
• 1/2 pound of margarine
• 1/2 pound of lard
• 2-3 ounces of canned milk
• 1-2 cans of canned fish or other meats

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A WW2 War Rationing Propaganda Poster showing Hitler, Hirohito and Mussolini, issued sometime between 1942 and 1945.

Supporting the War on the Homefront- War Bonds

• WAR BOND DRIVES: The government sold war bonds to finance the war effort. Citizens were encouraged to purchase these bonds (essentially LOANING MONEY to the government) to provide funding for the military. War bonds at banks, post offices, or other designated locations.
• DENOMINATIONS: War bonds came in different denominations, such as $25, $50, or $100, and had a maturity date of 10 years. Most people purchased "Series E" bonds, while companies and banks invested in regular War Bonds, which had a longer maturity period and paid higher interest.
• INTEREST RATE: The government promised to pay interest on the bond over its term, usually at a rate of 2.9%.
• USE OF FUNDS: The money raised from the sale of war bonds was used to finance the war effort, including the purchase of weapons, supplies, and other necessities for the military.
• CASHING IN BONDS: After the bond reached maturity, the bondholder could cash it in for its face value plus the accrued interest.
• EXAMPLE: if you had purchased a $100 war bond in 1942, it would have been worth $172.16 at maturity in 1952, including interest.

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World War 2 propaganda poster, 1943.

A 50 dollar “Series E” War Bond, issued in 1944.

Supporting the War on the Homefront- Victory Gardens

• VICTORY GARDENS: Vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted by citizens in their yards, public parks, and other available spaces to supplement the food supply and support the war effort. Victory Gardens were encouraged by the U.S. government as a way to increase the domestic food supply and free up resources for the military.
• How did VICTORY GARDENS work?
• Citizens were encouraged to plant their own gardens, even if they had little or no experience in gardening.
• The government provided guidance on how to plant, tend, and harvest the gardens through pamphlets, posters, and other materials.
• The gardens were typically small, with a focus on growing crops that were easy to cultivate and that could be preserved or canned for later use.
• The food grown in the Victory Gardens was intended for personal consumption, and any surplus could be shared with neighbors, donated to food banks, or sold at local markets.
• SUCCESS OF VICTORY GARDENS: Victory Gardens were extremely popular in America during World War II. It is estimated that Victory Gardens produced about 40% of the fresh vegetables consumed in the United States from 1942-1945.

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World War 2 Propaganda Poster encouraging citizens to grow their own Victory Garden- 1943.

New York Victory Garden, in WW2, an estimated 600 acres of land in downtown NYC accommodated 400,000 Victory Gardens.

Supporting the War on the Homefront- Women

• WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE: With so many men serving in the military, women were called upon to fill many of the jobs traditionally held by men. The government encouraged women to join the workforce to help support the war effort.
• STATISTICS: In 1940, only about 25% of women in the United States were working outside the home. By the end of the war, that number had risen to nearly 36%. The number of women working increased from 12 million women to over 18 million from 1940 to 1945.
• WOMEN IN THE MILITARY: Approximately 350,000 women served in the U.S. military during World War II, mostly in non-combat roles such as nurses, clerks, and drivers.
• TYPES OF WORK: Women worked in a wide variety of jobs during the war, including manufacturing, office work, transportation, and agriculture. Many women also worked in defense-related industries, producing weapons, vehicles, and other supplies for the military.
• MINORITY WOMEN: African American women and other women of color also played an important role in the war effort, working in factories and other industries that had previously been closed to them.
• PAVING THE WAY: The role of women in the workforce during World War II paved the way for increased opportunities and equality in the decades that followed.

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Tennessee Woman Working on A-31 Bomber, 1943.

WW2 Propaganda Poster encouraging women to work a “Victory Job” in the defense industry or the military, 1943.

Supporting the War on the Homefront- Schools

• SALVAGE DRIVES: Schools participated in scrap metal and paper drives to collect materials that could be recycled and used in the war effort. Students were encouraged to bring in items such as old cans, bottles, and newspapers, and these materials were collected and sold to help finance the war effort.
• BOND DRIVES: Schools participated in bond drives by encouraging students to purchase savings stamps, which were small denominations of war bonds. Schools often held rallies and other events to promote the purchase of savings stamps and war bonds.
• VICTORY GARDENS: Schools encouraged students to plant and tend Victory Gardens, which were vegetable gardens grown to supplement the food supply and reduce the strain on commercial agriculture. Many schools maintained Victory Gardens on campus.
• CIVIL DEFENSE: Schools also participated in civil defense activities, such as air raid drills, and provided training in skills that were needed for the war effort, such as welding and mechanics.
• LEARNING PATRIOTISM: Through their participation in these activities, it is felt that students would learn about the importance of sacrifice, patriotism, and supporting their country in a time of need.

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Air Raid Drills being conducted at Suppan High School in MI, 1942.

Lincoln High School in Oregon, collects 200 tons of scrap to support the war effort, 1942.

Is this picture “Politically Correct?”

Supporting the War on the Homefront- Propaganda

• PURPOSE: The primary purpose of propaganda during World War II was to encourage support for the war effort, mobilize public opinion in favor of the war, and promote the idea that the war was necessary to defend democracy, freedom, and American values.
• GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: The U.S. government created several agencies to produce and disseminate propaganda during the war. These agencies included the Office of War Information (OWI), the War Advertising Council, the War Finance Committee, and the War Production Board.
• PROPAGANDA TOOLS: The government used a variety of tools to create and distribute propaganda, including posters, films, radio broadcasts, newsreels, and newspapers. These tools were designed to appeal to people's emotions and persuade them to support the war effort.
• THEMES: The propaganda themes used during World War II were focused on patriotism, sacrifice, and the need to defeat the enemy. The propaganda often portrayed the enemy as evil and cruel and depicted American soldiers as heroic and selfless.
• TARGET AUDIENCES: The propaganda was targeted at different audiences, including soldiers, civilians, and children. The aim was to create a sense of unity and solidarity among Americans, regardless of their age or background. (Here are some examples: Example 1 and 2)
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• Success: Propaganda played an important role in shaping public opinion and encouraging support for the war effort. It helped to create a sense of national identity and unity, and contributed to the ultimate victory of the Allied Powers in World War II.
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• Criticisms: Despite its effectiveness, propaganda was also criticized for being manipulative and dishonest. Some argued that it oversimplified complex issues and presented a one-sided view of the war. Others argued that it was used to justify actions that were inconsistent with American values, such as the internment of Japanese Americans.

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WW2 Propaganda Poster, produced by the General Motors Corporation, 1942.

Bugs Bunny racist cartoon, 1943

The Holocaust, Part One

• DEFINITION: The Holocaust was a systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II.
• RISE OF NAZISM: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party comes to power in Germany in 1933, promoting a racist and anti-Semitic ideology that sought to purify the Aryan race.
• ANTI-SEMITIC LAWS: Nazi Germany implemented a series of anti-Semitic laws and policies that restricted the rights of Jews (there is evidence that these are based upon the Jim Crow Laws of the U.S.), including bans on their professions and public education, and the requirement to wear a yellow star to identify them as Jews.
• KRISTALLNACHT: On November 9-19, 1938, Nazi stormtroopers attacked Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues, smashing windows, looting property, and setting fires. The streets were littered with broken glass, hence the name "Night of Broken Glass." The attacks were carried out under the orders of the Nazi regime, with the goal of intimidating and terrorizing the Jewish population.
• GHETTOS: In 1939, the Germans began confining Jews to ghettos in Poland and other occupied territories, creating overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions.

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Kristallnacht, November, 1938.

A Jewish family being forced into the Warsaw Ghettos by German Soldiers, 1943

The Holocaust, Part Two.

• EINSATZGRUPPEN: Nazi mobile killing squads, known as Einsatzgruppen, began executing Jews, political dissidents, and others deemed undesirable in 1941. These killings were carried out in mass shootings in fields, forests, and other locations.
• CONCENTRATION CAMPS: In 1942, the Nazis began deporting Jews to concentration and extermination camps, where they were subjected to forced labor, torture, medical experiments, and ultimately, mass murder in gas chambers.
• ZYKLON-B: A cyanide-based pesticide that was originally developed as a disinfectant. It was widely used by the Nazis in extermination camps. Zyklon B was delivered through special vents in the ceilings of gas chambers, and once released, it quickly filled the chambers with deadly hydrogen cyanide gas. The victims usually died within minutes of exposure.
• DEATH MARCHES: In 1944-45, as Allied forces closed in on Germany, the Nazis forced surviving prisoners to march hundreds of miles in harsh winter conditions to other camps, resulting in the deaths of thousands.
• LIBERATION: Allied forces liberated the concentration and extermination camps in 1945, exposing the full horror of the Holocaust to the world.

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A member of the Einsatzgruppen preparing to kill a Jewish man, 1942.

A canister of Zyklon-B, used for extermination in Death Camps.

America and the Japanese, Part One.

• EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066: On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the military to exclude any person from an area that they deemed necessary for national defense. This order was primarily targeted at people of Japanese descent living on the West Coast of the United States.
• FORCED RELOCATION: In March 1942, the U.S. government began forcibly relocating Japanese Americans to internment camps. More than 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were American citizens, were forced to leave their homes and businesses behind and move to one of 10 internment camps in remote locations across the country.
• LIFE IN THE INTERNMENT CAMPS: Life in the internment camps was difficult and uncomfortable. Families were housed in barracks with no privacy, and had to share communal bathrooms and mess halls. Food was often of poor quality, and medical care was inadequate. Japanese Americans were also subjected to harsh living conditions, including extreme weather, lack of insulation, and poor sanitation.
• LEGAL CHALLENGES: Japanese Americans challenged the internment policy in court. In 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the legality of the internment policy in the case of Korematsu v. United States.

Public posting regarding Japanese Internment, California, 1942.

The Amache Internment Camp in Southern Colorado, near Lamar, 1944.

America and the Japanese, Part Two.

• JAPANESE PROPERTY: After Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to internment camps during World War II, their properties and possessions were left behind. In most cases, they were forced to sell or give away their homes, businesses, and belongings, often at significantly reduced prices. Many families lost everything they had worked hard to build.
• LACK OF COMPENSATION: The U.S. government did not provide compensation for the loss of property or possessions. In fact, the government required Japanese Americans to pay their own relocation costs and to continue paying property taxes on their homes and businesses while they were interned.
• UPON RETURN: Some Japanese Americans were able to arrange for friends or neighbors to take care of their property while they were away, but many returned to find their homes and businesses had been vandalized, looted, or taken over by squatters. Some were also victims of fraudulent land transactions and had to fight to regain their property after the war.
• APOLOGIES: It was not until the 1980s that the U.S. government formally apologized for the internment and provided reparations to surviving Japanese American internees and their families.

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Dave Tatsuno and his father, merchants of Japanese ancestry in San Francisco prior to evacuation. April 4, 1942.

Vandalism at the Nichiren Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles, California, 1944.

German POW Camps in Northern Colorado

• DID YOU KNOW?: There were German POW camps in Northern Colorado during World War II.
• The two main camps in Northern Colorado were located in Greeley and Fort Collins. The Greeley camp was known as Camp 202 and was located at what is now the site of the Greeley-Weld County Airport. The Fort Collins camp was known as Camp 2029 and was located at former site of Hughes Stadium at Colorado State University.
• There were a total of 48 POW camps in Colorado, including smaller camps scattered around the Weld County and Larimer County area. There was a small camp in Ault and another in Eaton.
• These camps held German prisoners of war who had been captured overseas and transported to the United States for detention. The prisoners were used for labor in various industries, including agriculture, and were generally treated well under the terms of the Geneva Convention. A number of these soldiers stayed in the area after the war.

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German POW Camp in Greeley, CO, 1944.

Stone bases of the pillars above, relocated due to highway construction, seen along HWY 34 Business Loop outside of Greeley, 2017.

Europe at the Height of WW2

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America Fights in Europe and Africa

• NORTH AFRICA: Germany had taken control of most of Northern Africa in an attempt to limit Allied access to the Mediterranean and the Oil Fields of the Middle East. In 1942, the U.S. and British forces launched “Operation Torch,” the Allied invasion of North Africa. The U.S. Army's 2nd Armored Division and 1st Infantry Division played key roles in the campaign, which culminated in the defeat of German forces in Tunisia.
• ITALY: In 1943, the U.S. and British forces launched “Operation Husky,” the invasion of Sicily. The U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division and 82nd Airborne Division played key roles in the campaign, which led to the fall of Mussolini's regime.
• NORMANDY: In 1944, the U.S. and British forces launched “Operation Overlord,” the invasion of Normandy, France. The U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division played key roles in the campaign, which resulted in the liberation of France and the defeat of Germany in Western Europe. A realistic depiction of this beach landing can be seen in the film “Saving Private Ryan.”

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Lt. General (later Major General) George S. Patton in North Africa, 1943.

Operation Overlord, Omaha Beach, 1944.

America Fights in the Pacific

• PACIFIC THEATER: The U.S. also played a key role in the Pacific Theater of the war against Japan.
• BATTLE OF MIDWAY: In June 1942, the U.S. Navy won a decisive victory at the Battle of Midway, which marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific. The U.S. sank four Japanese aircraft carriers, which weakened the Japanese naval presence in the Pacific.
• ISLAND HOPPING CAMPAIGN: The U.S. launched a campaign to take strategic islands in the Pacific, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. The U.S. Marines and Army used amphibious assaults and air support to take these islands, which were used as bases for further attacks against Japan.
• MANHATTAN PROJECT: The U.S. secretly developed the atomic bomb during the war, which was later used against Japan. The project was headed by scientist Robert Oppenheimer, and the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
• STRATEGIC BOMBING: The U.S. also conducted strategic bombing campaigns against Japan, including the bombing of Tokyo in March 1945, which caused widespread destruction and civilian casualties. Eventually, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of the war.
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The USS Yorktown is hit by a torpedo being launched from a Japanese plane, Battle of Midway, 1942.

Hiroshima, Aftermath of Atomic Bomb, August 7, 1945.

World War 2: The Aftermath, Part One

• THE UNITED NATIONS: In 1945, the United Nations (UN) was founded as an international organization to promote peace and security, with the goal of preventing another global conflict.
• COLD WAR: The defeat of Nazi Germany and Japan led to the rise of two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, which began a period of tension and competition known as the Cold War. The two nations competed for dominance and influence in different parts of the world.
• DECOLONIZATION: The war marked the end of the colonial era, with many countries gaining independence from their European colonizers in the years following the war.
• RECONSTRUCTION: In Europe and Asia, the war left behind a vast amount of destruction and displaced millions of people. Reconstruction efforts were undertaken to rebuild the shattered economies and infrastructure of these countries.
• NUREMBERG TRIALS: The Nuremberg Trials was an International Tribunal which was held in 1945-1946 to hold accountable the high-ranking Nazi officials for war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity.

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Communist Propaganda Comic, United States, 1947.

Defendants at the Nuremberg Trials, 1945.

World War 2: The Aftermath, Part Two

• THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL: In 1948, Israel was established as a nation-state, leading to ongoing conflicts with neighboring Arab countries.
• ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY: The war stimulated technological advancements, such as the development of jet engines, atomic power and weapons, rockets, and radar, which had significant impacts on post-war society and international politics.
• U.S. AS A SUPERPOWER: The war helped to establish the United States as a dominant economic and military power on the world stage.
• THE BABY BOOM: The end of the war led to a surge in births in many countries, which had significant impacts on social and economic policies.
• ADVANCEMENTS IN MEDICINE: The war stimulated significant advancements in medical technology, including the development of penicillin and other antibiotics, which had major impacts on public health.
• THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT: The war helped to lay the groundwork for the civil rights movement in the United States and other countries, as minority groups fought for equal rights and recognition.

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The “Gloster Meteor,” the only Allied Jet of World War 2, 1944.

President Truman and his Cabinet after the bombing of Hiroshima, 1945.