Conclusion of WWII

Conclusion of WWII Please answer Qs on worksheet

War Technology • Bombs increased in power throughout the war. • One new tactic was dropping explosive bombs first and incendiary bombs (which burst into flame) later. • Invention of rockets by German scientists. • Allowed for remote attacks.

Allied Bombing of Germany • From 1942-1945 Allied bombers made many attacks on German cities. • July 1943—Hamburg bombed using many incendiary bombs • The fires merged into one huge firestorm, melting windows and setting fire to the asphalt streets. Winds sucked people and cars into the flames and thousands died from lack of oxygen.

Allied Bombing of Germany February 1945—at a time when it was obvious that the Allies would win the war over a hundred thousand were killed in Dresden. Some consider the bombing of Dresden to be a war crime, on the same level as the Holocaust…

Retaking France • After the June 1944 D-Day landings in Normandy, the Allies worked quickly to retake France. • The German General, Dietrich von Choltitz, had been told by Hitler that if he had to abandon Paris then “it must be left utterly destroyed…nothing must be left standing, no church, no artistic monument.” • Von Choltitz was reluctant to destroy the beautiful city, and as the allies approached, he offered to surrender. • The Allies accepted his surrender and entered Paris on August 25, 1944. • They quickly ousted the Germans from Belgium, but were then slowed down.

The Soviet Advance • Germany’s army was better trained and better equipped, but the Soviet army was much larger (7 million vs. 3.5 mil). • As Soviet troops approached Warsaw they called on Poles to join them in fighting the Germans. • 40,000 Polish resistance members responded, but the Soviet advance was slowed and the Germans killed hundreds of thousands in Warsaw and 15,000 members of the Polish “Home Army” were captured by Germany before the Soviets won the battle.

The Battle of the Bulge • Allies pushed on towards Germany. • On December 16th, the Germans surprisingly counter-attacked using fresh tanks to push the Allies back into Belgium. • This was known as the Battle of the Bulge because of the bulge created in the Allied lines. • The Germans were eventually pushed back when clear weather allowed the Allies to use their strength—air power. • It was the last success that Germany would have.

The Yalta Conference • The Big Three met in Feb. 1945. • Josef Stalin – USSR • Winston Churchill – UK • Franklin Delano Roosevelt – US • Plan invasion of Germany • Germany was to be divided into 4 districts administered by USSR, US, UK, and France. • Eastern European countries were supposed to have elections to choose new governments at end of war • This never happened. Since they were occupied by the Soviets, they installed Communist-friendly governments. • USSR agreed to join the war against Japan after defeating Germany. • Plan for the United Nations established.

Hitler’s End • Hitler intended to drag all of Germany down with him. • “If the war is lost, the German nation will also perish.” • “There is no need to take into consideration the basic needs of the people. Those that remain after the battle are inferior; for the good will have fallen.” • On April 29th Hitler married his mistress, Eva Braun. • On April 30th they committed suicide together. • Their bodies were burned.

V-E Day • On May 7, 1945 Germany officially surrendered. • The next day was declared “V-E Day” to celebrate the Victory in Europe. • Troops and people worldwide celebrated… …but the fight in Asia still loomed on the horizon.

The Potsdam Conference • The Big Three met again in July 1945. • Harry Truman had replaced FDR after his death in April. • Planned economic future of Germany. • Called for unconditional surrender of Japan • Though, secretly agreed to let Japan keep its Emperor. • During the conference Truman learned of the successful test of the atom bomb, but kept it secret.

The Nuremburg Trials • Trials in Nuremberg, Germany, between 1945 and 1949. • Tried Nazi Party officials and high-ranking military officers • Also: businessmen, lawyers and doctors. • Tried for crimes against humanity. • Set precedents for how to deal with genocides.

Advancing on Japan • The fight to defeat the Japanese Empire was fought one island at a time, and each Allied attack was met with fierce resistance. • Feb 1945—Iwo Jima. First Japanese home island attacked by Allies. • 21,000 Japanese soldiers fought to the death (only 216 surrendered). • Okinawa was worse. • 800 kamikaze pilots sunk 32 US ships and damaged 368 more. • 90% of the 100,000 defenders died. • 5,000 US soldiers died and 50,000 were wounded.

V-J Day • August 6, 1945— The Enola Gay drops the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. • August 9, 1945— Bocks Cardrops a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. • August 15, 1945—Japan ceases fighting. • September 2, 1945—documents were signed ending the war aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Conclusion of WWII