United States in World War IIUnited States in World War II

1941-19451941-1945

Mushroom Cloud over Nagasaki, 1945

United States Entry into World United States Entry into World War IIWar II

Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941): Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941): Japanese attack on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor was a complete surprise, Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor was a complete surprise, led to U.S. declaration of war on Japan; first led to U.S. declaration of war on Japan; first attack on American soil by any foreign power attack on American soil by any foreign power since War of 1812since War of 1812

U.S. War Preparations Prior to Pearl Harbor: arms U.S. War Preparations Prior to Pearl Harbor: arms sales to Great Britain and first peacetime draft sales to Great Britain and first peacetime draft (1940); Lend-Lease Act (1941); Atlantic Charter (1940); Lend-Lease Act (1941); Atlantic Charter (1941) in which FDR and Churchill promised “final (1941) in which FDR and Churchill promised “final destruction of Nazi tyranny” and referenced destruction of Nazi tyranny” and referenced FDR’s freedom from want and freedom from fearFDR’s freedom from want and freedom from fear

Dilemma: Appeasement vs. Economic SanctionsDilemma: Appeasement vs. Economic Sanctions

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific Early 1942: Japan conquered Burma (now Myanmar), Siam Early 1942: Japan conquered Burma (now Myanmar), Siam

(Thailand), and Dutch East Indies (Indonesia); it occupied (Thailand), and Dutch East Indies (Indonesia); it occupied Guam, the Philippines, and other Pacific islands. Japan Guam, the Philippines, and other Pacific islands. Japan already occupied substantial portions of French Indochina already occupied substantial portions of French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia)(Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia)

Bataan (Philippines): largest surrender in U.S. military Bataan (Philippines): largest surrender in U.S. military history in April 1942; 78,000 American and Filipino troops history in April 1942; 78,000 American and Filipino troops captured, “death march” to POW campcaptured, “death march” to POW camp

Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942: U.S. Navy turned back Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942: U.S. Navy turned back Japanese fleet en route to AustraliaJapanese fleet en route to Australia

Battle of Midway Island, June 1942: U.S. inflicted Battle of Midway Island, June 1942: U.S. inflicted devastating losses on Japanese navydevastating losses on Japanese navy

U.S. started to drive Japanese back west and regained U.S. started to drive Japanese back west and regained fortified islands like Guadalcanal (7 Japanese troopships fortified islands like Guadalcanal (7 Japanese troopships were sunk) and the Solomons (10,000 U.S. sailors died were sunk) and the Solomons (10,000 U.S. sailors died versus 30,000 Japanese)versus 30,000 Japanese)

Oct. 1944: General MacArthur invaded Philippines; 100,000 Oct. 1944: General MacArthur invaded Philippines; 100,000 Filipino civilians died in battle for Manila Filipino civilians died in battle for Manila

Iwo Jim and Okinawa in 1945: among the war’s most costly Iwo Jim and Okinawa in 1945: among the war’s most costly battles; Americans lost 12,000 men on Okinawa; 80,000 battles; Americans lost 12,000 men on Okinawa; 80,000 Japanese casualtiesJapanese casualties

War in EuropeWar in Europe

In spite of joint British-American invasion of North In spite of joint British-American invasion of North Africa in November 1942, major involvement of Africa in November 1942, major involvement of American troops in Europe not until D-Day (June 6, American troops in Europe not until D-Day (June 6, 1944); until end of 1944 more American military 1944); until end of 1944 more American military personnel deployed in Pacific than against Germanypersonnel deployed in Pacific than against Germany

D-Day: close to 200,000 American, British, and D-Day: close to 200,000 American, British, and Canadian soldiers landed in Normandy under General Canadian soldiers landed in Normandy under General Dwight D. Eisenhower; more than a million troops Dwight D. Eisenhower; more than a million troops followed, greatest amphibious invasion in history followed, greatest amphibious invasion in history nearly failed—100,000 American casualties in first nearly failed—100,000 American casualties in first monthmonth

Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944: largest single battle Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944: largest single battle ever fought by U.S. Army with 70,000 -100,000 ever fought by U.S. Army with 70,000 -100,000 American casualtiesAmerican casualties

The “Good War”The “Good War” Memory of Memory of “Good War”:“Good War”: a time of national unity a time of national unity

and a just war of self-defense; FDR proclaimed Four and a just war of self-defense; FDR proclaimed Four Freedoms in his State of the Union Address on Freedoms in his State of the Union Address on January 6, 1941: freedom of speech, freedom of January 6, 1941: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fearworship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear

Government, business, and labor mobilization for Government, business, and labor mobilization for wartime production ended Great Depressionwartime production ended Great Depression

In 1944, unemployment dipped to 1.2 percent of the In 1944, unemployment dipped to 1.2 percent of the civilian labor force, a record low in American civilian labor force, a record low in American economic history, as near to "full employment" as economic history, as near to "full employment" as possiblepossible

Wages rose 65% over course of warWages rose 65% over course of war In spite of rationing of items like coffee, meat, and In spite of rationing of items like coffee, meat, and

gasoline, more consumer goods available in 1944 gasoline, more consumer goods available in 1944 than in 1941than in 1941

More freedoms for women and expansion of civil More freedoms for women and expansion of civil rightsrights

Double-VDouble-V

Double-V: phrase in 1942 Double-V: phrase in 1942 Pittsburgh CourierPittsburgh Courier; victory ; victory over Germany and Japan must be accompanied by over Germany and Japan must be accompanied by victory over segregation at homevictory over segregation at home

NAACP membership grew from 50,000 to 500,000 NAACP membership grew from 50,000 to 500,000 during war; Congress of Racial Equality (an during war; Congress of Racial Equality (an interracial group of pacifists) held sit-ins to integrate interracial group of pacifists) held sit-ins to integrate restaurants and theaters in northern cities; restaurants and theaters in northern cities; The The CrisisCrisis insisted that a segregated army “cannot fight insisted that a segregated army “cannot fight for a free world”for a free world”

A. Philip Randolph, black labor leader, called for A. Philip Randolph, black labor leader, called for March on Washington in July 1941; in response, FDR March on Washington in July 1941; in response, FDR banned discrimination in defense jobs (Executive banned discrimination in defense jobs (Executive Order 8802) and established a Fair Employment Order 8802) and established a Fair Employment Practices CommissionPractices Commission

by 1945, the left-liberal agenda included racial by 1945, the left-liberal agenda included racial justice alongside full-employment, civil liberties, and justice alongside full-employment, civil liberties, and New Deal welfare state New Deal welfare state

War as Agent of Social Progress?War as Agent of Social Progress?

From FDR’s “Economic Bill of Rights” (1944) to GI Bill: by 1946 From FDR’s “Economic Bill of Rights” (1944) to GI Bill: by 1946 over 1 million veterans attended collegeover 1 million veterans attended college

Women: “Rosie the Riveter,” 6 million women worked in Women: “Rosie the Riveter,” 6 million women worked in munitions production; 350,000 served in auxiliary military units munitions production; 350,000 served in auxiliary military units (15 million men in armed forces) (15 million men in armed forces)

Mexican-Americans: Even though 400,000 Mexican-Americans Mexican-Americans: Even though 400,000 Mexican-Americans had been “voluntarily” repatriated during Depression, tens of had been “voluntarily” repatriated during Depression, tens of thousands of contract laborers came to U.S. under thousands of contract laborers came to U.S. under bracerobracero program (lasted until 1964). “Zoot suit” riots in L.A. (1943): program (lasted until 1964). “Zoot suit” riots in L.A. (1943): sailors and policemen attacked Mexican-American youths sailors and policemen attacked Mexican-American youths wearing flamboyant clothingwearing flamboyant clothing

Asian-Americans: more than 50,000 Asian-Americans fought in Asian-Americans: more than 50,000 Asian-Americans fought in the army (immigrant children from China, Japan, Korea, and the the army (immigrant children from China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines); Congress ended the exclusion of Chinese Philippines); Congress ended the exclusion of Chinese immigration in 1943 (annual quota set at 105)immigration in 1943 (annual quota set at 105)

Blacks: 700,000 black migrants moved to cities in North and Blacks: 700,000 black migrants moved to cities in North and West; 34 killed in Detroit 1943 race riot; lynching continued; West; 34 killed in Detroit 1943 race riot; lynching continued; over 1 million blacks served in segregated units in armed over 1 million blacks served in segregated units in armed forces; at beginning of war, no blacks in air force and marines, forces; at beginning of war, no blacks in air force and marines, only five black officers in army, and only back waiters and only five black officers in army, and only back waiters and cooks in navy.cooks in navy.

Japanese-American InternmentsJapanese-American Internments Japanese-Americans: Pacific war as race war; long-Japanese-Americans: Pacific war as race war; long-

standing prejudice and shock of Pearl Harbor created standing prejudice and shock of Pearl Harbor created unprecedented hatred of Japan; government unprecedented hatred of Japan; government propaganda and war films portrayed Japanese as propaganda and war films portrayed Japanese as bestial and subhuman; Japanese-Americans viewed as bestial and subhuman; Japanese-Americans viewed as spiesspies

Japanese-American Internments: In his Executive Japanese-American Internments: In his Executive Order 9066 of February 1942 FDR ordered the Order 9066 of February 1942 FDR ordered the expulsion of all persons of Japanese descent from expulsion of all persons of Japanese descent from West Coast; without public protests 110,000 men, West Coast; without public protests 110,000 men, women, and children (two-third of them American women, and children (two-third of them American citizens) were moved to interment camps in remote citizens) were moved to interment camps in remote portions of nation’s interiorportions of nation’s interior

In Korematsu v. U.S., Supreme Court upheld legality In Korematsu v. U.S., Supreme Court upheld legality of internments in 1944. Korematsu never overturned, of internments in 1944. Korematsu never overturned, “lies about like a loaded weapon” to be used again“lies about like a loaded weapon” to be used again

20,000 Japanese-Americans joined armed forces from 20,000 Japanese-Americans joined armed forces from camps, 200 draft resisters sent to prisoncamps, 200 draft resisters sent to prison

In 1988, Congress apologized for internments and In 1988, Congress apologized for internments and compensated each surviving victim with $20,000compensated each surviving victim with $20,000

Negative Propaganda PostersNegative Propaganda Posters

German Threat in World War I Japanese Threat in World War II

http://mcel.pacificu.edu/as/students/propaganda/top.html

http://mcel.pacificu.edu/as/students/propaganda/top.html

Positive Propaganda PostersPositive Propaganda Posters

Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom From Want” Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom of Worship”

Allied Conferences and Postwar Allied Conferences and Postwar PlanningPlanning

Teheran, 1943: Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin: Second Teheran, 1943: Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin: Second Front set for 1944; defeated Germany should be Front set for 1944; defeated Germany should be dismembered; Churchill offered eastern part of Poland to dismembered; Churchill offered eastern part of Poland to SovietsSoviets

Yalta, 1945: Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin: Stalin agreed Yalta, 1945: Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin: Stalin agreed to enter war against Japan after defeat of Hitler in Europe; to enter war against Japan after defeat of Hitler in Europe; FDR and Churchill mildly protested Stalin’s plans to keep FDR and Churchill mildly protested Stalin’s plans to keep Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; Soviets signed a watered-Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; Soviets signed a watered-down version of the Declaration of Liberated Europe; Stalin down version of the Declaration of Liberated Europe; Stalin requested 20 billion in reparations from Germanyrequested 20 billion in reparations from Germany

Potsdam, 1945: Stalin, Truman, and Churchill (Clement Potsdam, 1945: Stalin, Truman, and Churchill (Clement Attlee): Allies established military government for Germany Attlee): Allies established military government for Germany and placed top Nazi leaders on trial for war crimes; and placed top Nazi leaders on trial for war crimes; dismemberment of Germany went forward dismemberment of Germany went forward

United Nations, 1945: 51 countries adopted UN Charter in United Nations, 1945: 51 countries adopted UN Charter in San Francisco; it outlawed force or threat of force as a San Francisco; it outlawed force or threat of force as a means of settling international disputes; U.S. endorsed UN means of settling international disputes; U.S. endorsed UN Charter in July 1945; U.S., Soviet Union, Great Britain, Charter in July 1945; U.S., Soviet Union, Great Britain, France, and China served as five permanent members of France, and China served as five permanent members of security council and had veto powersecurity council and had veto power

Tensions Among AlliesTensions Among Allies Combined Chiefs of Staff: British and U.S. officers excluded Combined Chiefs of Staff: British and U.S. officers excluded

Soviets in strategic decision-makingSoviets in strategic decision-making Second Front: Churchill pushed FDR to delay Allied invasion of Second Front: Churchill pushed FDR to delay Allied invasion of

France for two years (instead, call for “unconditional surrender” France for two years (instead, call for “unconditional surrender” of Japan and Germany in 1943)of Japan and Germany in 1943)

Poland: Stalin promised “free elections” but forced communism Poland: Stalin promised “free elections” but forced communism in Eastern Europe (“whoever occupies a territory also imposes his in Eastern Europe (“whoever occupies a territory also imposes his own social system,” said Stalin)own social system,” said Stalin)

Italy: Anglo-American forces liberated Italy in 1943, refused to Italy: Anglo-American forces liberated Italy in 1943, refused to collaborate with Soviets on occupation policiescollaborate with Soviets on occupation policies

FDR pressured Churchill to grant independence to India and other FDR pressured Churchill to grant independence to India and other British colonies; Churchill opposed FDR’s efforts to build up China British colonies; Churchill opposed FDR’s efforts to build up China as U.S. junior partneras U.S. junior partner

Churchill angered FDR by concluding private deals with Stalin: Churchill angered FDR by concluding private deals with Stalin: the British would control Greece and the Soviets would control the British would control Greece and the Soviets would control RomaniaRomania

Bretton Woods, 1944: British resented U.S. economic power, Bretton Woods, 1944: British resented U.S. economic power, British pound replaced with dollar as main international currency; British pound replaced with dollar as main international currency; established World Bank and the International Monetary Fund established World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)(IMF)

Morgenthau Plan, 1944: to de-industrialize Germany after the Morgenthau Plan, 1944: to de-industrialize Germany after the war: Churchill reluctantly went along, FDR then disavowed itwar: Churchill reluctantly went along, FDR then disavowed it

Manhattan Project: a joint Anglo-American project, excluded Manhattan Project: a joint Anglo-American project, excluded SovietsSoviets

Atomic BombAtomic Bomb

Manhattan Project: top-secret program to develop Manhattan Project: top-secret program to develop atomic bomb; bomb successfully tested in New Mexico atomic bomb; bomb successfully tested in New Mexico in July 1945 during Potsdam Conferencein July 1945 during Potsdam Conference

U.S. dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, U.S. dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killing 1945, and on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killing 214,000 Japanese (mostly civilians) by bomb and 214,000 Japanese (mostly civilians) by bomb and radiation effects; Soviet Union declared war on Japan, radiation effects; Soviet Union declared war on Japan, and invaded Manchuria; Japan surrendered within and invaded Manchuria; Japan surrendered within days days

U.S. firebombing of Tokyo in March 1945 had killed U.S. firebombing of Tokyo in March 1945 had killed 100,000 people100,000 people

Truman later claimed atomic bomb saved half a Truman later claimed atomic bomb saved half a million American lives; reports at the time estimated million American lives; reports at the time estimated Japanese invasion to cost 50,000 American livesJapanese invasion to cost 50,000 American lives

Enola Gay Controversy over Smithsonian exhibit 1994Enola Gay Controversy over Smithsonian exhibit 1994

President Truman’s Advisers President Truman’s Advisers Discuss the Atomic Bomb, May Discuss the Atomic Bomb, May

19451945 Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson stated “that this project Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson stated “that this project

should not be considered simply in terms of military weapons, should not be considered simply in terms of military weapons, but as a new relationship of man to the universe. This discovery but as a new relationship of man to the universe. This discovery might be compared to the discoveries of the Copernican theory might be compared to the discoveries of the Copernican theory and of the laws of gravity, but far more important than these in and of the laws of gravity, but far more important than these in its effect on the lives of men […] the implications of the project its effect on the lives of men […] the implications of the project went far beyond the needs of the present war. It must be went far beyond the needs of the present war. It must be controlled if possible to make it an assurance of future peace controlled if possible to make it an assurance of future peace rather than a menace to civilization […] rather than a menace to civilization […] the Secretary the Secretary expressed the conclusion, on which there was general expressed the conclusion, on which there was general agreement, that we could not give the Japanese any warning; agreement, that we could not give the Japanese any warning; that we could not concentrate on a civilian area; but that we that we could not concentrate on a civilian area; but that we should seek to make a profound psychological impression on as should seek to make a profound psychological impression on as many of the inhabitants as possible […] the Secretary agreed many of the inhabitants as possible […] the Secretary agreed that the most desirable target would be a vital war plant that the most desirable target would be a vital war plant employing a large number of workers and closely surrounded employing a large number of workers and closely surrounded by workers’ houses.”by workers’ houses.”

Source: Robert Griffith, ed., Major Problems in American History Since 1945 (1992), 50-51.

Recommended ReadingsRecommended Readings

Anderson, Karen. Anderson, Karen. Wartime Women: Sex Roles, Family Wartime Women: Sex Roles, Family Relations, and the Status of Women During World War IIRelations, and the Status of Women During World War II (1981)(1981)

Blum, John M. Blum, John M. V Was for Victory: Politics and American V Was for Victory: Politics and American Culture During World War IICulture During World War II (1976) (1976)

Daniels, Roger. Daniels, Roger. Prisoners Without Trial: Japanese Americans Prisoners Without Trial: Japanese Americans in World War IIin World War II (1993) (1993)

Dower, John. Dower, John. War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific WarPacific War (1986) (1986)

Kennedy, David. Kennedy, David. Freedom From Fear: The American People Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945in Depression and War, 1929-1945 (1999) (1999)

Lichtenstein, Nelson, Lichtenstein, Nelson, Labor’s War at Home: The CIO in Labor’s War at Home: The CIO in World War IIWorld War II (1982) (1982)

Rhodes, Richard. Rhodes, Richard. The Making of the Atomic BombThe Making of the Atomic Bomb (1986) (1986) Von Eschen, Penny. Von Eschen, Penny. Race Against Empire: Black Americans Race Against Empire: Black Americans

and Anticolonialism, 1937-1957and Anticolonialism, 1937-1957 (1997) (1997)