Retaking EuropeRetaking EuropePrior to December 7, 1941, much of

America was ISOLATIONISTThe war in Europe was Europe’s problem!

◦ Neutrality Laws Prohibited selling of weapons Sell goods on a cash and carry basis Unlawful for Americans to travel on a warring nation’s

vessel

FDR was worried about the expansion of totalitarian governments◦ Lend-Lease Program- President could lend aid to

any nation he believed was vital to American security

Americans Join the Americans Join the StruggleStruggle

In 1941, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt met in secret …

Created the Atlantic Charter – outlined war aims and set up basis for United Nations

The United States entered the war in December 1941, a critical time for the Allies.

Why focus on Europe?Why focus on Europe?

After Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor…

Pacific Fleet was crippledFDR decided to fight a defensive

war in the Pacific Allies decide to

center attention on Europe first

In North Africa a mixed German and Italian army was bearing down…

• Blitzkrieg had extended Nazi control through most of Europe.

The Battle of the Atlantic: German U-boats sailed out from ports in

France and attacked and destroyed Allied merchant ships.

A. GB relied on US shipments of food and supplies.

B. US protected ships from U-boats w/ convoys.

C. Germany began to attack w/ large groups of U-boats called wolfpacks.

War in the Soviet UnionWar in the Soviet UnionA.After losing the Battle of Britain Hitler turns

to the east and attacks Russia.Attack begins in June 1941.

Invasion of Soviet UnionInvasion of Soviet UnionG. Asked Roosevelt for help

under Lend-Lease Act.H. Stalin urges allies to attack

Hitler in Western Europe

Uhh…little help here

guys…

The German advance (1941–1942) In June 1941, more than 3 million

Axis troops crossed the Soviet border.

by September 1941, German armies threatened the capital,

Moscow

The Battle of Stalingrad (1942–1943): By October 1941, the cold Russian

winter put a stop to the German advance,

The Red Army made its stand at Stalingrad, a major rail and industrial

center on the Volga River.

In November, the In November, the

Soviets took advantage Soviets took advantage of the harsh winter to of the harsh winter to

launch a counterattack. launch a counterattack. The German army was The German army was soon surrounded in the soon surrounded in the

ruined city with no ruined city with no supplies and no hope of supplies and no hope of

escape.escape.

On January 31, 1943, more On January 31, 1943, more than 90,000 surviving than 90,000 surviving Germans surrendered. Germans surrendered.

Germany’s seemingly unstoppable Germany’s seemingly unstoppable offensive was over and this proved offensive was over and this proved to be the turning point of the war in to be the turning point of the war in the East.the East.

The Allied Air WarThe Allied Air WarThe British Royal Air Force

(RAF) had been fending off attacks from the German Air Force (the Luftwaffe) and carrying out long-range attacks on German cities.

Allies begin CARPET BOMBING

Massive damage to German Cities (civilians as well as military…)

Allied Bombing!Allied Bombing! Allied

bombing of Germany intensified after the United States entered the war. More than 40,000 civilians died in four attacks on Hamburg, Germany, in the summer of 1943.

•By 1944, British and American

commanders were

conducting coordinated raids—American

planes bombing

by day and RAF planes bombing at

night. •At its height,

some 3,000 planes

took part in this

campaign.

RussiRussia a Needs Needs Help! Help! WherWhere to e to StrikeStrike??

AFRICA!AFRICA!The North Africa campaign: From

1940 to 1943, the Allies and Axis battled in North Africa, with

neither side gaining much of an advantage, until Allied armies finally trapped the Axis forces. About 240,000 Germans and

Italians surrendered.

Onto Italy…Onto Italy…The invasion of Italy: In 1943, U.S.

troops under General George S. Patton invaded the island of Sicily with British forces.

Invasion of ItalyInvasion of ItalyA. Control of Africa led to Allies making

next move to retake Europe.B. Decide to target Italy!

c. Many lose faith in Mussolini at this point, King Victor Emmanuel III has him arrested.

D. Fascist party is disbanded, but

Mussolini escapes w/ help of Hitler.

D. Sept. 1943 Italy w/ Rome under

fire by Allies turns on

Germany.

E. Leads to bloody showdown btwn Germans and

Allies.

Mussolini’s EndMussolini’s End

German’s in N. Italy don’t surrender until April 1945.

That same month Mussolini is shot and killed by Italians

The Invasion of Western The Invasion of Western EuropeEuropeGeneral George Marshall, FDR’s Chief of Staff, wanted to

invade Western Europe—specifically German forces occupying France. The invasion, code-named Operation Operation

OverlordOverlord, , would be launched from Great Britain. General Eisenhower would be the supreme commander

of the invasion forces.Soldiers,

Sailors and Airmen of the

Allied Expeditionary

Force…

You are about to embark on

…

interactive

D-Day: On June 6, 1944, the invasion of Western Europe began.

German’s heavily fortify the German’s heavily fortify the French coastline.French coastline.

D-Day Invasion, June 6, D-Day Invasion, June 6, 19441944

D-Day (June 6, 1944)D-Day (June 6, 1944) 4,600 invasion craft 1,000 bombers 150,000 troops

attempt to come ashore on 60m of coast

C. Hitler hesitated to

counterattackD.Depsite heavy casualties the

allies are succesful in taking the beaches of Normandy

Gen. Patton now uses “blitzkrieg” tactics on Hitler.

August 1945—Liberation of France!

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

Nazi’s Counterattack! – forming a “bulge” in the Allied lines

Desperate to defend it’s territory

Largest battle ever fought by U.S. Army!

December 1944 –Americans begin crossing German border….

Battle of BulgeBattle of Bulge

Involved over 800,000 GI’s, Involved over 800,000 GI’s, 80,000 casualties.80,000 casualties.

German losses totaled German losses totaled 100,000100,000

after this battle...Germany after this battle...Germany realizes the war is lost…realizes the war is lost…

March 1945March 1945American’s cross the Rhine River and moved toward the German capital of Berlin from the west.

War Ends in EuropeWar Ends in Europe Meanwhile, Soviet troops fight Meanwhile, Soviet troops fight

their way to Berlin from the east. their way to Berlin from the east. This fighting resulted in the This fighting resulted in the

deaths of some 11 million Soviet deaths of some 11 million Soviet and 3 million German soldiers—and 3 million German soldiers—more than two thirds of the more than two thirds of the soldiers killed in the entire war. soldiers killed in the entire war.

The Soviets finally reached Berlin The Soviets finally reached Berlin in late April 1945. in late April 1945.

““Battle of Berlin”Battle of Berlin” Soviets surround Berlin. Hitler

refuses to surrender—he commits suicide in his bunker.

…or does he…

US meets up with Soviets at Elbe River, and a few days later

Germany surrenders on May 8, Germany surrenders on May 8, 19451945

Times Square – VE Day!

Yalta ConferenceYalta Conference The Yalta Conference: In February, 1945, months

before the fall of Berlin, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met at Yalta in the Soviet Union, to discuss the shape of the postwar world. The leaders agreed:(1) to split Germany into four zones, each under

the control of a major Ally, including France.

(2) They planned a similar division of Berlin.

(3) Stalin promised to allow free elections in the nations of Eastern Europe that his army had liberated from the Germans.

(4) He also promised to enter the war against Japan. Stalin did not fulfill any of these promises.

Estimated World War II Estimated World War II DeathsDeaths

Country Military Deaths Civilian Deaths Total Deaths

Axis

Germany 3,250,000 2,350,000 5,600,000

Italy 226,900 60,000 286,900

Japan 1,740,000 393,400 2,133,400

Allies

France 122,000 470,000 592,000

Great Britain 305,800 60,600 366,400

United States 405,400 --------- 405,400

Soviet Union 11,000,000 6,700,000 17,700,000

China 1,400,000 8,000,000 9,400,000

SOURCE: World War II: A Statistical Survey