14.4 lecture In-Depth Notes on Allied Victory in WWII

The Allied Victory in WWII

The Tide Turns on Two Fronts

  • North Africa Campaign

    • Erwin Rommel, known as the "Desert Fox", led the German troops in North Africa.
    • By 1942, the Axis Powers controlled much of North Africa (specifically Algeria and Libya).
    • The Battle of El Alamein (October 1942)
    • British troops defeat Rommel's army.
    • By May 1943, Germans and Italians no longer control North Africa.

  • Battle of Stalingrad

    • A pivotal battle between the Soviet Union (Allies) and Germany (Axis), lasting from August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943.
    • The battle resulted in the defeat of the German army and is considered a turning point in the European theater of WWII.
    • Soviet Union losses: approximately 1 million.
    • German losses: approximately 240,000.
    • Significance: Hitler ordered a critical attack on Stalingrad due to its industrial importance and oil supplies.
    • Soviets successfully surrounded the city, leading to German surrender despite Hitler's orders to hold position.
The Allied Home Fronts

  • Your Victory Garden

    • Citizens cultivated gardens to alleviate food shortages, reflecting a massive mobilization of the U.S. economy during WWII.

  • Federal Mobilization

    • The federal government reorganized industries to meet war needs, implementing policies to ration resources.
    • The draft was instituted to supplement military enlistments:
    • 15 million entered; 5 million volunteered, while 10 million were conscripted.
    • Of these, 2/3 served in the Army, while 1/3 served in Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
    • From 1941-1945, military production surged:
    • 300,000 aircraft, 61,000 tanks, 200 submarines, 27 aircraft carriers.
    • Rationing affected various items such as meat, sugar, and gasoline.
    • Each American received ration books with stamps for purchasing rationed items, requiring proper stamps for any purchase.
Japanese-American Internment

  • Background:

    • Governed by Executive Order 9066 in February 1942, all Japanese Americans were relocated to internment camps due to unfounded fears of loyalty to Japan.
    • Anti-Japanese sentiment surged, particularly along the West Coast, fueled by paranoia concerning potential Japanese invasion.

  • Summary of Internment:

    • 127,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned; 2/3 were U.S.-born (second generation).
    • Ten camps were constructed in remote areas (primarily in western states).
    • Many families sold their homes and possessions at fractions of their worth due to the fear of being unable to return.
The End of the War (1944-1945)
  • Victory in Europe (VE) Day:
    • D-Day (Operation Overlord):
    • June 6, 1944, marked the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, involving 150,000 Allied troops.
    • This invasion was a significant turning point in the European theater.
    • By April 1945, Allied forces were closing in on Berlin with U.S., British, and French troops approaching from the southwest and the Soviets from the east.
    • Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide on April 29, 1945.
    • Unconditional surrender of Germany followed on May 8, 1945—VE Day.
The Pacific Theater: Battles with Japan

  • Battle of Iwo Jima:

    • This battle occurred from February 19 to March 24, 1945, marked by iconic photographs of U.S. Marines raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi.
    • The strategic importance of the island was due to its proximity to Japan, serving as a potential base for air operations.
    • U.S. suffered 18,844 casualties, while Japanese losses were significantly higher.

  • Battle of Okinawa:

    • Fought from April 1 to June 22, 1945, led to 12,000 American deaths and approximately 100,000 Japanese casualties.
    • The ferocity of this battle convinced President Truman that an invasion of Japan would yield high U.S. casualties (estimates of 1 million).
The Decision to Use Atomic Bombs

  • Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945)

    • Truman, Stalin, and leaders issued an ultimatum for Japan's immediate surrender or face complete destruction.

  • Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki:

    • Hiroshima: August 6, 1945 - estimated 80,000 killed instantly.
    • Nagasaki: August 9, 1945 - estimated 70,000 killed instantly.
    • Reasons for Bombing:
    • Japan's refusal to surrender, hoping for Soviet mediation.
    • Demonstration of U.S. power to the USSR.
    • Aimed at preventing further American casualties in a potential ground invasion.

  • Aftermath:

    • Japan’s surrender was unconditional on August 9, 1945, influenced by devastation from bombings and fallout from previous conflicts.