The End of World War II

D-Day: June 6th, 1944

• Allied forces invaded northwestern France to liberate Western Europe.
• British, American, and Canadian troops stormed the beaches of Normandy.
• Operation Overlord was successful.

Allied Advance Through Europe

• Allied troops moved inland through France and Belgium towards Germany.
• Map shows Allied areas, neutral countries, and German-occupied areas in Europe as of June 6, 1944.

Holland Under Nazi Occupation

• Dutch citizens suffered brutal living conditions under Nazi occupation during WWII.
• Key cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam were destroyed.
• The countryside was flooded.
• Food and fuel supplies were cut off.

Liberation of the Netherlands (September 1944 - April 1945)

• The First Canadian Army fought German forces.
• Fighting conditions were difficult due to flooded countryside, broken dykes and bridges, and house-by-house combat.

Liberation of the Netherlands

• In April 1945, the Canadian Army liberated the Netherlands from almost 5 years of German occupation.
• Food and medical aid were provided to the starving population.
• German forces in the Netherlands surrendered on May 5, 1945.
• More than 7,600 Canadians were killed.

Yalta Conference – February 1945

• Leaders of the "Big 3" Allied forces met to decide the fate of Germany:
  • Britain (Winston Churchill)
  • United States (Franklin Roosevelt)
  • Soviet Union (Joseph Stalin)

Victory in Europe

• American and British forces were tasked with marching into Germany from the North and West.
• The Soviet Union was approaching from the East.
• Hitler surrendered May 7th, 1945 but committed suicide before he could be captured by the Allies.
• May 8th, 1945 was declared Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Liberation of the Camps – April 1945

• Soviet, British, and American troops liberated the concentration and extermination camps across Europe.
• The horrors of the Holocaust were discovered.

War in the Pacific

• Despite the Victory in Europe, the War in the Pacific continued.
• Japan refused to surrender unconditionally, and Allied casualties were high.
• More than 100,000 Americans were killed in action.

Bombing of Hiroshima – August 6th, 1945

• The United States dropped the first atomic bomb, "Little Boy," ever used in war.
• Approximately 70,000 people were killed.
• Approximately 130,000 people were wounded.

Bombing of Nagasaki – August 9th, 1945

• The United States dropped the second atomic bomb, "Fat Man."
• Approximately 40,000 people were killed.

Victory in the Pacific

• August 8th, 1945: The Soviet Union declared war on Japan.
• Japan had no choice but to surrender.
• August 15th, 1945: Japan surrendered, known as V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day).

The War Ends – September 2nd, 1945

• World War II is officially over.
• Total number of deaths in World War II varies greatly:
  • Britannica.com: 35-60 million
  • Government of Canada:
    • More than 1 million Canadians served
    • More than 50,000 women served in the military
    • At least 3000 Indigenous Canadians served
    • More than 45,000 Canadians died
    • 55,000 Canadians wounded

Germany After The War

• Germany was divided into 4 zones occupied by:
  • Britain
  • The United States
  • France
  • The Soviet Union
• The capital city of Berlin was also divided into 4 zones.
• The Berlin Wall existed from 1961 to 1989 and cut off West Berlin from East Berlin & East Germany.

The United Nations

• Established in October 1945 with 51 member countries.
• Based on the idea of Collective Security.
• Governed by the General Assembly and Security Council.
• Security Council “Big 5” Permanent members:
  • Britain
  • France
  • U.S.A.
  • Russia
  • China
• Maintain peace and security and deploys peacekeeping missions.