1 AXIS POWERS Germany Italy Japan VS the

1) AXIS POWERS Germany Italy Japan VS. the ALLIED POWERS (actively in combat in 1942) UK (1939) USSR (1941) US (1941)

2) Allied Power agreement, and disagreement: Agreed on opening up a second front against Nazi Germany. Disagreed on when or where… • Stalin wanted an immediate front opened up in Western Europe (France), to take the pressure off the Soviet Red Army. • Churchill and Roosevelt preferred to first attack Germany in North Africa, and then up through Italy in Southern Europe (the “soft underbelly” of Europe). • Ultimately, the US & UK would spend a year preparing for a third front against Germany, in France: D-DAY

3) The Battle of El Alamein & ‘Operation Torch’ (North Africa 1942): • Battle of El Alamein (Oct. 1942) - the British stop the Germans from advancing further into Egypt (and taking the Suez Canal), pushing the Germans WEST, back to Tunisia. • Operation Torch (Nov. 1942) – first combat for U. S. army, which pushed the Germans EAST, back to Tunisia. • German forces were caught between British and American forces, and ultimately forced to withdraw from North Africa in May, 1943… another setback for Hitler.

4) The Battle of Stalingrad (Aug 1942 – Feb 1943): TURNING POINT IN THE WAR FOR EUROPE! • The Germans invaded & destroyed the city, but were surrounded by the Red Army during the winter months and cut off from re-supply. • Hitler refused requests to retreat, dooming what was left of the German forces. • The defeat of the German army at Stalingrad begins the collapse of Nazi Germany, as the Soviet Red Army will retake land occupied by Germany, and close in on Germany itself during the next two years.

5) What happens in Italy after the Allies invaded Sicily & southern Italy in 1943? • Mussolini was deposed from power, and the Italian government “surrendered” to the Allies; however. . . • Germany then seized control of Italian territory not already controlled by Allies, and continued to fight in northern Italy for the rest of the war, in an attempt to defend its southern flank in Europe. • Mussolini was eventually captured and killed by Italian partisan fighters at the end of the war.

6) Total War: ALL of a nation’s resources – people and production – are dedicated to winning the war effort… • Citizens are either in the military or producing for the military (including women!) • Increased civilian casualties (i. e. bombing of cities). • Governments take control of the economy, directing private business to manufacture war materiel • Governments ration consumer goods to save needed resources for the war effort, and enact price controls on goods made scarce by war. • Governments engage in active propaganda to support the war effort.

Propaganda used by governments to: → maintain popular support for war effort, justify war policies (also promote purchase of war bonds) → demonize the enemy

Change in labor force: Women used in production of war materiel (again!). . . also used in military support roles (non-combat).

Government – controlled economy:

7) U. S. wartime sentiments & propaganda vs. the Constitution: the Japanese in America, 1942 – 1946: • Japanese-Americans (110, 000 citizens and legal residents) were sent to internment camps (concentration camps), due to fear, paranoia, and unproven suspicion of loyalty to imperial Japan. • They were denied their Constitutional rights: no compensation for lost property, or any legal due process. The U. S. Supreme Court upheld this executive action in a subsequent lawsuit. • The U. S. government later acknowledged this injustice and issued compensatory payments of $20 k to survivors in 1988.

Constitutional rights that were violated: - Habeus Corpus (detainment without charge) - Due Process (no trial, inadequate compensation for lost property, violated eminent domain laws) The Supreme Court decision has never been reversed. Liberty ←-------------------→ Security

8) “D-Day”, June 6, 1944 (“Operation Overlord”): - Allied invasion of Normandy (France) via the English Channel, to open up a Western Front against Nazi Germany in Europe. - Included U. S. , British, and Canadian forces - Largest amphibious assault (invasion by sea) in history. Beach Landings: Omaha (U. S. ) Utah (U. S. ) Gold (U. K. ) Sword (U. K. ) Juno (Canada)

Three European fronts established against Hitler by 1944: EAST: Eastern Europe - Soviets attacking SOUTH: Italy (via North Africa) – US & UK WEST: France (after D Day) – US, UK, Canada

9) Maintaining the secrecy of D-Day: • Allies created a fake army corps to deceive Hitler • Transmitted false information to Nazi Germany (i. e. reinforcing the idea that the attack would be at Calais, the shortest point between UK & France). • Assistance from the French Resistance

10) The “Battle of the Bulge” (Dec 1944 – Jan 1945): • Hitler’s last ditch effort to repulse the Allied attack on his Western front, separate the U. S. & British forces, and push the Allies back. • Though initially successful, it failed, since Germany was running out of resources (i. e. replacement soldiers, and oil!). • Largest, bloodiest battle in U. S. history!

11) Germany loses to the Allies (May, 1945). REASONS: • Faced a THREE-FRONT WAR as of ‘D-Day’ • Arrogant, cocky… belief in “racial superiority” was a utopian fantasy • Invaded, conquered too much… more than it could hold on to • Never invade Russia… and if you do, finish before you need a coat • Allies had more resources (esp. the U. S. , an industrial power) • Allies had radar and the Enigma machine; knew German coded messages • Red Army was ordered to fight to the death… and often did (23 million dead) • “No retreat” order = high casualties… but the USSR had a larger population than Germany to pull it off • Hitler micromanaged the war, ignoring sensible advice from his most experienced generals • LOST WAR OF ATTRITION… Allies could replenish losses in men & materiel and war dragged on… Germany could not (after nearly six years of fighting) • Hitler diverted resources needed for combat operations instead to carrying out the Holocaust