The End of World War Two

Allies nearly reached Germany as no troops were left in France.

Low supply lines forced the Allies to stop in early Sept. 1944.

Hitler extended age of armed service to all males 16-50, increasing his forces by 750,000 troops and 3000 tanks.

The End of the War in Europe

By mid-April most German units had surrendered or were cut off. Hitler committed suicide on April 25, 1945

A new problem: Who would control the liberated countries?

East and West were allies during the warby were adversaries in peace time.

Stalin used delays on the western front to seize territory in Eastern Europe – these countries remained under Communist rule after the war. • Poland had been a major reason for Britain

entering the war.

“Land grab” ended on May 8, 1945 when Germany officially surrendered.

The Great Land Grab

http://www.worldology.com/Europe/world_war_2_imap.htm

War in Pacific lasted a few months longer than the European war.

Americans had done most of the fighting against Japan, had taken them three years to get close enough to bomb the country.

American military had suffered about 1 million casualties, and calculated that invasion would cost at least 1 million more.

The End of the War

WWII most destructive war in human history.

Both sides suffered massive destruction and loss of life.

Discovery of death camps and aftermath of atomic bomb drove home to Canadians how destructive racism and uncontrolled arms build-up could be.

This would have far-reaching effects throughout the rest of the century.

Conclusion