World War II
Office of Price Administration
(OPA) was established within the Office for Emergency Management of the United States government by Executive Order 8875 on August 28, 1941. The functions of the OPA were originally to control money (price controls) and rents after the outbreak of World War II.
Years of WWII
1939-1945
Why did Congress award Japanese-Americans compensation for their internment more than forty years after the war ended?
40 years later people recognized that what the government did was bad and they thought even though it was so long ago they could still acknowledge the fact that the government was wrong
Who was A. Philip Randolph and why did he lead a March on Washington in July, 1941?
A Phillip Randolph was a promoter for peaceful equality for Africans Americans. He led a March on Washington in July, 1941 to promote peace and equality for all. African Americans were allowed to be a part of the war but they could not enlist. So he wanted to create equal rights.
What were the most significant results of the U. S. occupation of Japan?
America reshaped Japan for the better. They would introduce a free-market practice that made their economics better. They created a new consitiution for them that made women's suffrage and other freedoms.
Hiroshima Dropping Date
August 6 1945
Nagasaki Dropping Date
August 9 1945
Pearl Harbor Date
Dec 7 1941
When the first atomic test bomb was exploded on July 16, 1945 near Almagordo, NM, Dr. Robert J. Oppenheimer remarked: I have become Death--the Destroyer of Worlds. What did he mean by this comment?
He meant that this bomb had the potential to destroy the world. He knew what he created was so powerful and it ruin everything.
How did the nation's industries and workers mobilize for the war effort?
Many new machinery was produced for the war. Guns and weapons such as tanks and planes were improved. Many other products were produced to help the war effort such as machinery for farmers.
Why was Okinawa a significant island in the war in the Pacific?
Okinawa put Japan in bombing distance for the Americans and was the final island that stood between America and Japan.
5 Beaches D-Day
Omaha-America Juno-Canada Gold-Britain Sword-Britain/France Utah-America
Battle of the Bulge
On this day, the Germans launch the last major offensive of the war, Operation Mist, also known as the Ardennes Offensive and the Battle of the Bulge, an attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium.
why did the Germans launch the Battle of the Bulge? Why was it initially successful?
The Germans wanted to defeat the allied powers. At first they were successful because it took the US by surprise.
OSRD
The Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) was an agency of the United States federal government created to coordinate scientific research for military purposes during World War II. Research to improve machinery and submarines, also penicilin. development of manhattan project
Executive Order 9066
The President Authorizes Japanese Relocation. In an atmosphere of World War II hysteria, President Roosevelt, encouraged by officials at all levels of the federal government, authorized the internment of tens of thousands of American citizens of Japanese ancestry and resident aliens from Japan.
What was the outcome of the North Africa campaign? the Italian campaign?
The outcome of the North Africa campaign was that the allied powers were able to defeat the axis powers. In the Italian campaign, the allies won once Mussolini stepped down and Hitler attempted to take down the US.
What basic problems were the OPA and the WPB created to solve?
The problem that the OPA and WPB tried to solve was the fact that things were increasing in demand but there was not enough production because of the restrictions in place. These were put into place to get the country out of the depression and ready for war. these things made the country ready, raised the prices, got the factories ready, and there was no unemployment.
Why were the Allies finally able to win the war in Europe?
The soviets caused the Germans to surrender because they lost a lot of causalities
What was the key issue in the Supreme Court case of Korematsu v. U. S.?
There was no evidence that the Japanese ever did anything wrong therefore they could not be charged or persecuted against. This made what the US government do wrong.
Why did the Allies hold war crimes trials after World War II? What were the actual charges made against the defendants at Nuremberg?
There were trials for the Nazis after WWII because of the type of awful things that they did during the war, people thought that it was only right. Some were sentenced to death; most were sentenced to prison. Many people thought that the trials did not go far enough for the punishments.
Why did minority Americans join the armed services during World War II?
They wanted to prove to the whites that they are patriotic and love America. They wanted to be a part of the war effort. They want to prove that they are equal to whites. African Americans protested to war. they questioned why they should fight for the white cause when they had no rights.
Why did some interned Japanese-Americans fight in the U. S. army during World War II?
They were on America's side. They agreed with their beliefs and wanted to help them win the war.
How was the United Nations organized?
Through the Yalta Conference Stalin agreed to participate in an international conference in San Francisco. This would then allow the United Nations to happen.
WAACs
Under this program women worked in non-combat roles such as nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, and pilots a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (later the WAC), formed in 1942 and disbanded as a separate force in 1978, or of the British force of the same name (1917-19).
What was the cost of victory for the Soviets at Stalingrad?
Unfortunately, winning this battle costed the soviet's 1,000,000 casualties.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
United States general who supervised the invasion of Normandy and the defeat of Nazi Germany
What strategy did the U. S. use in fighting the Japanese in the Pacific?
When fighting against the Japanese in the Pacific, the American forces captured and surrounded islands owned by the Japanese. Americans would bomb the islands through their ships and then they would go on to the island with guns and fight the Japanese.
fat man and little boy
the code name for the plutonium-core, implosion-type atom bomb the U.S. first tested and then dropped on Nagasaki in 1945
V-E Day [5-8-45]
the day (May 8) marking the Allied victory in Europe in 1945.
Enola Gay
the name of the American B-29 bomber, piloted by Col. Paul Tibbets, Jr., that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan,
resettlement
the settlement of people in a different place
War Production Board
(WPB) was an agency of the United States government that supervised war production during World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt established it in August 1939, with Executive Order 9024.
D-Day Aftermath
-135,000 Allied casualties, 29,000 dead. -320,000 Axis casualties, 30,000 dead, 210,000 missing. -By the end of Operation Overlord, 1 million Allied troops landed in France
Before Battle of D-Day
-Allied planes bombed key German positions like rail yards and supply depots. -Tried to weaken Germans as much as possible. -Fake invading force built up near Pas de Calias. -Goal of making Germans believe an invasion would come from there. -The night before the invasion, Allied troops parachuted behind enemy lines in France. -Goal of sabotaging communications and supply lines.
D-Day Importance
-Allies gain a new foothold in Europe. -Hitler is now fighting a two front war. -France is on the way to being liberated. -The downfall of Nazi Germany has begun
D-Day Numbers
-More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircrafts supported the D-day invasion. -9,000 Allied troops died on the beach alone. -Germans used the "Atlantic Wall" a stretch of mines, barbed wire, bunkers, and "hedgehogs" (criss-cross pieces of metal to prevent boats from landing) -Main weapon, the MG-42 "Hitler's Buzzsaw
D-Day Plan
-The Allies need to gain a foothold in Europe. -They choose France as the first country to liberate. -Obvious choice was the Pas de Calais -Close to England -Easy to land troops there -Choice was to obvious so they chose Normandy instead -Built up a force of 150,000, comprised of paratroopers, planes, ships, and ground forces. -Largest amphibious invading force ever
IWO JIMA
-US needed island for an airbase (660 miles south of Tokyo .) -Many large cannons were hidden on Mount Suribachi, a volcano in the middle of the island -22,000 Japanese defended the island building caves. -Between December-February 1945 US continually bombed the island.
Why did President Franklin D. Roosevelt create the OSRD? What was its purpose?
Franklin Roosevelt created ORSD to improve machinery and products for the war. The purpose was to promote research for products such as medicine
What provisions did the GI Bill of Rights make for returning veterans?
GI Bill of Rights provided education and training for veterans, by for by the government. It made it easier for the veterans to return to civilian life.
Why was the defeat of Germany the Allies' top priority? Why were some historians critical of this decision?
German Allie's were top priority because Hitler was planning on going after America and Britain. By stopping Hitler and his allies, US would be able to protect their people. If they took down Hitler the US would then have more power to resources in European countries.
Desert Fox
German field marshal noted for brilliant generalship in North Africa during World War II (1891-1944) Erwin Rommel, Rommel.
Battle of Stalingrad
A major battle between German and Soviet troops in World War II. The battle was fought in the winter of 1942-1943 and ended with the surrender of an entire German army. Stalingrad is considered a major turning point of the war in favor of the Allies.
Battle of Midway
A naval and air battle fought in World War II in which planes from American aircraft carriers blunted the Japanese naval threat in the Pacific Ocean after Pearl Harbor -US intercept Japanese fleet trying to take Islands -Japanese casualties- 4 carriers, 3 destroyers, 275 planes, 4,800 men -US causalities-one carrier, one destroyer, 150 planes, 307 men -First defeat for the Japanese in the Pacific Japanese never fully recover.
What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
At the Yalta Conference, they decided that there would be a temporarily division of Germany into 4 zones, for the US, Britain, the Soviets and the French. Stalin promised "free and unfettered elections" in Poland and Soviet countries. Stalin also agreed to join the war against Japan.
Why was the Battle of Stalingrad a great turning point of the war in Europe?
At the beginning of this battle Hitler was dominating and was dropping bombs daily. Eventually Russia took advantage of the winter and were able to cut Germany off from their supplies. They were starving and freezing and were eventually forced to surrender. This was the turning point and gave Europe and US hope.
Identify some of the economic regulations imposed on the American people by the U. S. government during World War II. What was their overall aim
Food was rationed, prices were lowered, and there was a ration of oil and other materials that were needed for war.
how did Americans' response to the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor differ from Japanese expectations?
In response to Pearl Harbor, the American's were not discouraged, they were filled with rage and they fought back. Japan thought that the American's would not take a stand.
D-Day Date
June 6 1944
How did African-American distinguish themselves during World War II?
Many African-Americans left the south during the war and got better jobs. Many of them got more skilled and were able to gain better jobs.
How did the U. S. military reflect the diversity of American society during World War II?
Many different races who lived in the US joined the army to fight in WWII. Some of these races were Mexican, African-American, Japanese, and Chinese. Although these races usually did not get top priority they still enlisted.
V-Day Date
May 8 1945
How did the U. S. economy change during World War II?
Money was gathered from war bonds, industries, the unemployment rate went down, weekly pay increased and crop production increased.
How did the war affect working Americans?
Weekly pay went up and more jobs were created during the war. Famers prospered during the war and improvements were made in machinery. Workers still complained and protested long hours and working conditions.
selective service act
expanded the drat to 10 million ppl. authorized the federal government to raise a national army for the American entry into World War I through the compulsory enlistment of people.
V-J Day [9-2-45]
in 1945 on which Japan ceased fighting in World War II, or the day (September 2) when Japan formally surrendered
tuskegee airment
is the popular name of a group of African-American military pilots (fighter and bomber) who fought in World War II. Officially, they formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces.
D-Day [6-6-44]
the day the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during World War II. Within three months, the northern part of France would be freed and the invasion force would be preparing to enter Germany, where they would meet up with Soviet forces moving in from the east
Battle of Okinawa
took place in April-June 1945. It was the largest amphibious landing in the Pacific theater of World War II. It also resulted in the largest casualties with over 100,000 Japanese casualties and 50,000 casualties for the Allies. -Considered Japanese territory -First time US invades Japanese land -More than 1900 Kamikazi planes used -7,600 US soldiers die along with 110,000 Japanese. -Give US a naval base 350 miles from mainland Japan
Jeanette Rankin
voted no to go to war
Einstein
wrote to FDR warning him that the Germans were attempting to develop such a weapon