Period 7 - WWII: War Front, Home Front, and Post-War Effects

Battle of Stalingrad

the decisive turning point on the Eastern Front, where Nazi armies were forced to retreat westward back toward Germany, crushing Hitler’s goal of dominating Europe

Battle of Midway

A major turning point of the war in the Pacific, where Americans took the offensive to halt Japanese momentum, defeating them at Guadalcanal

Women at Home

Women stepped into jobs in businesses and factories, working in both light and heavy industries. These changes in the workforce had long-lasting effects, as women earned paychecks and gained knowledge and experience.

African Americans

Though hoping for similar job opportunities, many including those in the government and military, remained segregated. Leaders called for a Double V Campaign, calling for victory against fascism abroad and discrimination at home

A Philip Randolph

A prominent African American labor leader and civil rights activist known for his efforts to promote racial equality and workers' rights by urging Roosevelt to end discrimination in government-funded training, employment, and service

Executive Order 8802

Due to pressure from Randolph, FDR passes this executive order to prohibit racial discrimination and promote fair hiring practices in government jobs.

Japanese Internment Camps

the forced relocation and confinement of around 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens, in isolated camps during WWII. This policy was driven by wartime fears and racial prejudice following the attack on Pearl Harbor

Korematsu v. United States

a landmark case upholding the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066, which mandated the Japanese American internment during WWII. The Supreme Court ruling declared that forced exclusion of citizens was justified by "military necessity" and national security over individual civil liberties

D-Day

One June 6th, 1944, the Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in history, landing in Normandy to liberate France from Nazi Germany

V-E Day

On May 8th, 1945, Germany declared an unconditional surrender to the Allied powers, marking the formal end to WWII and a victory for Europe

Manhattan Project

A top-secret U.S government research and development program led by J. Robert Oppenheimer to produce the first atomic bombs, which would later be used on Japan

V-J Day

After atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrenders on August 15th, 1945, marking U.S victory over Japan

The Big Three

USA, GB, USSR (FDR, Churchill, Stalin)

Yalta Conference

A meeting between the Big Three to plan the final defeat of Nazi Germany and establish the framework for a postwar world. In this meeting they agreed on free elections for Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania

Potsdam Conference

The second and final meeting between the Big Three, where each country agreed on dividing Germany into four zones of occupation, new borders and free elections for Poland, and allowed Soviets to claim war reparations

Nuremberg Trials

A series of military tribunals held after WWII to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other offenses. These trials marked a significant moment in postwar diplomacy, as they established a precedent for international law and accountability for state-sponsored atrocities led by individuals

United Nations

Established on October 24, 1945, immediately following WWII to promote international peace, security, and cooperation, replacing the failed League of Nations

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

a milestone document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 that codifies the fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to all human beings. Eleanor Roosevelt contributes, being one of the first UN ambassador for the US