Discussion Discussion 

Why do you think the United States Why do you think the United States didn't stage a direct assault on Japan, didn't stage a direct assault on Japan, instead attacking various islands in instead attacking various islands in the Pacific Ocean?the Pacific Ocean?

Japan was too far from Hawaii for an Japan was too far from Hawaii for an assault to be practical or successful. By assault to be practical or successful. By capturing Japaneseheld islands nearer capturing Japaneseheld islands nearer Japan, U.S. forces could prepare to attack Japan, U.S. forces could prepare to attack Japan and weaken it at the same time.Japan and weaken it at the same time.

The Asian TheaterThe Asian Theater Iwo Jima and Okinawa:Iwo Jima and Okinawa: In 1944, the U.S.-led Allied forces continued their "island- In 1944, the U.S.-led Allied forces continued their "island-

hopping" campaign. In early 1945 the Allies attacked the islands of Iwo Jima and hopping" campaign. In early 1945 the Allies attacked the islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, which were seen as vital sites for preparing an invasion of Japan itself. The Okinawa, which were seen as vital sites for preparing an invasion of Japan itself. The Japanese offered fierce resistance, and although the Allies were victorious, they Japanese offered fierce resistance, and although the Allies were victorious, they suffered heavy casualties.suffered heavy casualties.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki:Hiroshima and Nagasaki: U.S. President Harry Truman, who had become the  U.S. President Harry Truman, who had become the leader of the United States after Franklin Roosevelt died in April 1945, feared that an leader of the United States after Franklin Roosevelt died in April 1945, feared that an Allied invasion of Japan would cost many more U.S. soldiers their lives. Truman Allied invasion of Japan would cost many more U.S. soldiers their lives. Truman ordered that atomic bombs be dropped on Japanese cities. Truman hoped that using ordered that atomic bombs be dropped on Japanese cities. Truman hoped that using the bombs would cause Japan to surrender. In August 1945, atomic bombs were the bombs would cause Japan to surrender. In August 1945, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, died from radiation poisoning or from the blast itself.died from radiation poisoning or from the blast itself.

World War II ends:World War II ends: Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945, ending World War II.  Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945, ending World War II. Worldwide, about 17 million soldiers had died. Twenty million or more civilians also Worldwide, about 17 million soldiers had died. Twenty million or more civilians also had been killed. No other war in the history of the world claimed as many lives.had been killed. No other war in the history of the world claimed as many lives.

Beginning of the Nuclear Age:Beginning of the Nuclear Age: The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan marked  The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan marked the beginning of the Nuclear Age. Countries raced to develop their own atomic the beginning of the Nuclear Age. Countries raced to develop their own atomic bombs and match the nuclear capability of the United States. In 1949 the Soviet bombs and match the nuclear capability of the United States. In 1949 the Soviet Union became the second country to develop a nuclear weapon.Union became the second country to develop a nuclear weapon.

Discussion Discussion 

How long after D-Day did the war How long after D-Day did the war finally end in Asia?finally end in Asia?

It was about fourteen months from It was about fourteen months from the Normandy invasion to Japan's the Normandy invasion to Japan's surrender.surrender.

Background Background 

Throughout history war has sometimes Throughout history war has sometimes harmed the mental health of individuals harmed the mental health of individuals serving in combat. During World War II, serving in combat. During World War II, close to 40,000 U.S. army soldiers were close to 40,000 U.S. army soldiers were sent home during the war because they sent home during the war because they developed psychiatric problems while developed psychiatric problems while serving in combat. Since the Vietnam War, serving in combat. Since the Vietnam War, this psychiatric disorder has been this psychiatric disorder has been recognized as post-traumatic stress recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. disorder or PTSD.

Planning the Postwar WorldPlanning the Postwar World Tehran Conference:Tehran Conference: In 1943, the leaders of the "Big Three" Allied countries—the  In 1943, the leaders of the "Big Three" Allied countries—the

Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain—met in Tehran, the capital of Iran, Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain—met in Tehran, the capital of Iran, to discuss war strategy. Their plan for defeating Germany would have important to discuss war strategy. Their plan for defeating Germany would have important consequences after the war. Soviet forces would meet up with U.S.-British forces consequences after the war. Soviet forces would meet up with U.S.-British forces along a north-south dividing line, with the Soviets likely to liberate Eastern Europe.along a north-south dividing line, with the Soviets likely to liberate Eastern Europe.

Yalta Conference:Yalta Conference: In February 1945, the Big Three leaders met again, this time in  In February 1945, the Big Three leaders met again, this time in Yalta in the Soviet Union. At this point it appeared certain that the Allies would win Yalta in the Soviet Union. At this point it appeared certain that the Allies would win the war. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin wanted pro-Soviet governments established in the war. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin wanted pro-Soviet governments established in Eastern Europe as a buffer zone against any future aggression from Western Eastern Europe as a buffer zone against any future aggression from Western countries. The presence of 11 million Soviet soldiers in Eastern Europe gave Stalin a countries. The presence of 11 million Soviet soldiers in Eastern Europe gave Stalin a strong bargaining position. U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt wanted all European strong bargaining position. U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt wanted all European countries to have free elections so that they would have self-determination. countries to have free elections so that they would have self-determination. Roosevelt persuaded Stalin and British leader Winston Churchill to agree to the Roosevelt persuaded Stalin and British leader Winston Churchill to agree to the establishment of the United Nations. Stalin won approval to seize control of islands establishment of the United Nations. Stalin won approval to seize control of islands from Japan. The three leaders also agreed to divide Germany into four zones, which from Japan. The three leaders also agreed to divide Germany into four zones, which would be occupied by the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.would be occupied by the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.

Potsdam Conference:Potsdam Conference: Yet another meeting of the Big Three occurred in 1945, this  Yet another meeting of the Big Three occurred in 1945, this time in Potsdam, Germany. U.S. President Harry Truman demanded free elections in time in Potsdam, Germany. U.S. President Harry Truman demanded free elections in Eastern Europe, but Stalin disagreed. He believed that such elections would threaten Eastern Europe, but Stalin disagreed. He believed that such elections would threaten Soviet security. The leaders did agree on a process for conducting trials for Axis Soviet security. The leaders did agree on a process for conducting trials for Axis political and military leaders guilty of war crimes.political and military leaders guilty of war crimes.

U.S.-Soviet tension and suspicions in the postwar world:U.S.-Soviet tension and suspicions in the postwar world: U.S. and Soviet  U.S. and Soviet disagreements at the conferences escalated into a bitter division and decades of disagreements at the conferences escalated into a bitter division and decades of hostility. Winston Churchill proclaimed that an "iron curtain" had fallen across the hostility. Winston Churchill proclaimed that an "iron curtain" had fallen across the middle of Europe, dividing the continent into East and West.middle of Europe, dividing the continent into East and West.

Discussion Discussion 

Why might the Soviet Union have Why might the Soviet Union have wanted ports in warmer waters wanted ports in warmer waters near Japan?near Japan?

The only ocean ports in the eastern The only ocean ports in the eastern Soviet Union were in the far north, Soviet Union were in the far north, and they were often frozen over in and they were often frozen over in winter.winter.

Discussion Discussion 

Why do you think the Allies felt Why do you think the Allies felt that the UN was necessary?that the UN was necessary?

To create a group that could help to To create a group that could help to prevent future wars.prevent future wars.

Background Background  When the Big Three met at Yalta along the Crimean Sea in When the Big Three met at Yalta along the Crimean Sea in

February 1945, the United States expected that it would February 1945, the United States expected that it would need significant help from the Soviet Union to defeat Japan, need significant help from the Soviet Union to defeat Japan, even though this turned out not to be the case. As a result, even though this turned out not to be the case. As a result, Roosevelt felt that he would have to trust Stalin's promise Roosevelt felt that he would have to trust Stalin's promise that he would allow representative democratic that he would allow representative democratic governments to be established in Eastern Europe, and, governments to be established in Eastern Europe, and, eventually free elections. When Stalin later failed to keep eventually free elections. When Stalin later failed to keep his word, there were cries of protest in Western countries his word, there were cries of protest in Western countries that Roosevelt and Churchill should have taken a harder that Roosevelt and Churchill should have taken a harder line against the Soviets. Advisers to the Western leaders line against the Soviets. Advisers to the Western leaders replied that the presence of millions of Soviet troops in replied that the presence of millions of Soviet troops in Eastern Europe made it difficult for Roosevelt and Churchill Eastern Europe made it difficult for Roosevelt and Churchill to make any demands of Stalin, at least as far as Eastern to make any demands of Stalin, at least as far as Eastern Europe was concerned. Europe was concerned.