Chapter 23- APUSH textbook

Chapter Overview: The World at War 1937-1945

  • The Second World War defined the international landscape of the 20th century.

  • Conflict spanned across three continents with over 50 to 80 million deaths.

  • Major battles occurred in Europe with Germany's blitzkrieg and in the Pacific with Japan's advancements.

  • The war ended with the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Global Context of World War II

Major Causes

  • Fascism arose from the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, leading authoritarian regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan.

  • The Treaty of Versailles post-WWI created resentment in Germany, leading to nationalism and militarism.

  • Isolationist sentiment in the U.S. complicated early interventionist policies.

Major Events Leading to U.S. Involvement

  • Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941): Catalyst for U.S. entry into the war.

  • Initial isolationism transformed into advocacy for intervention by figures like FDR and Winston Churchill.

  • US involvement linked to defense of democracy against fascism.

The War's Dynamics

Military Mobilization and Organization

  • The U.S. military mobilized over 16 million citizens, employing a diverse demographic including women and minorities.

  • The War Powers Act expanded executive power significantly during wartime.

Economic Impact

  • WWII ended the Great Depression, significantly boosting the economy.

  • Defense spending led to a greater governmental role in the economy, transforming private industry.

  • The war effort required large-scale coordination between government and business, leading to the rise of the military-industrial complex.

Social Changes in the U.S. During WWII

Women and Racial Minorities in Workforce

  • With men in military service, women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, symbolized by Rosie the Riveter.

  • African Americans and Native Americans took active roles, with significant contributions from code talkers.

  • Racial tensions arose as competition for jobs intensified, especially in urban centers.

Japanese American Internment

  • Following Pearl Harbor, over 112,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated under Executive Order 9066.

  • This action was rooted in wartime racial animosity and was largely justified as a precaution against espionage.

  • Post-war, this helped to articulate issues of civil liberties vs. national security.

Major Military Campaigns and Strategic Decisions

European Theater

  • Key battles included D-Day (June 6, 1944), which marked a turning point for Allied forces.

  • The Allies focused resources to defeat Germany first, creating tensions with Soviet Union allies.

  • The Holocaust, revealed in 1945, highlighted the extreme consequences of fascism and solidified U.S. resolve.

Pacific Theater

  • The U.S. employed strategies like island hopping, targeting key Japanese territories and reducing military capabilities.

  • Major victories included the battles at Midway and Leyte Gulf, propelling the U.S. towards Japanese home islands.

  • Anti-Japanese sentiment and racism manifested throughout the war, impacting military policies and public perception.

Conclusion: The Toll and Transformation of the War

  • World War II resulted in over 50 million deaths globally and profound losses for many nations.

  • The war significantly impacted U.S. domestic life, establishing a new federal framework that persisted beyond the war.

  • The U.S. emerged as a global power, spearheading post-war reconstruction and reshaping international relations.

Learning Questions

  1. How did the Second World War transform the U.S. domestically and its global relations?

  2. Evaluate the impact of the war on civil rights movements in the post-war years.

  3. Discuss the economic policies implemented during the war that shaped modern America.