World War II

SS5H4 Explain America’s involvement in World War II.

a. Describe German aggression in Europe and Japanese aggression in Asia.

Vocabulary: reparations, destruction, hardship, negotiate, appease, neutral, isolationism, militarism, alliances, nationalism, imperialism, appeasement, aggression, natural resources, industrialization, invaded, occupied

WWII Interactive timeline and videos from History.com

World Wide Aggression

GERMAN AGGRESSION

In Europe Germany took over many countries with some assistance from a few other countries.

Following Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, that country began to rebuild its military. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was required to pay reparations, keep minimal armed forces, and not build up its Navy. The country was in ruins caused by the destruction of World War I, as well as the Great Depression that had affected Europe as well. Within all this hardship in Germany, Adolph Hitler rose to power.

Under his leadership, Germany began slowly to rebuild its Army and Navy. Germany challenged the determination of the Allies by seizing territory lost during World War I. Initially, the Allies attempted to negotiate and appease Hitler and the German people. Despite the efforts of the League of Nations and Great Britain’s Neville Chamberlain, a second conflict erupted when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939.

France and Great Britain were thrust immediately into the conflict, but the United States remained neutral, following a policy of isolationism.

Factors of militarism, alliances, nationalism, imperialism, and appeasement ultimately resulted in this second world war.

JAPANESES AGGRESSION

On the other side of the world, Japan was showing similar aggression as they attacked Korea, China the Philippines and numerous pacific islands. They're plan was to take control of Asia and the Pacific while Germany planned to take over Europe

As an island, Japan needed natural resources of oil, rubber, and iron ore. To obtain these materials they invaded and occupied the Chinese province of Manchuria in 1931, and they ultimately launched a full-scale war against China in 1937. Japan continued to gain colonies by occupying Vietnam in 1940, and then signing an agreement to align themselves with Italy and Germany as an Axis Power. Militarism, alliances, and imperialism were the forces behind Japan’s aggression in the Pacific.

b. Describe major events in the war in both Europe and the Pacific; include Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, D-Day, VE and VJ Days, and the Holocaust.

Vocabulary: theaters (or theatres), combat, island hopping, isolationist, strategic, advantage, staging area, Holocaust, devastation, surrender, atomic bombs, persecution, systematic, minorities, undesirable, curtailed, genocide, religion, ethnicity, political beliefs, behaviors

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on Hawaii made by the Empire of Japan. This surprise attack is what finally convinced the United States that they needed to enter World War II. On December 8, 1941, a day after the attack President Roosevelt gave his his memorable speech declaring war on Japan. You can watch the videos posted and visit some of the links below to learn more about this infamous event.

Pearl Harbor: Japan attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. This surprise attack by Japan resulted in a change in public opinion in the United States from an isolationist stance into fullout participation in the war. Congress declared war against Japan and the other Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Additional Links

Social Studies for Kids Pearl Harbor Page

PBS Pearl Harbor Overview

Many Americans are surprised when they learned that the United States put thousands of Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II. The government was afraid they would fight against the U.S. or help their former country in some way. As a result they put them into internment camps which were basically large prison camps. They should NOT be confused with concentration camps in Europe (concentration camps were basically death camps). The video below takes a closer look at the Japanese American internment camps.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: The Japanese attack on the United States’ naval fleet located in Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II. In this attack the American Navy at this port experienced massive destruction and casualties. Today, the harbor contains the wreckage of ships that were destroyed in the attack, as well as existing as an active memorial to the American military who lost their lives in Pearl Harbor and in the Pacific during World War II.

Iwo Jima

Iwo Jima was a strategic island that would give the Americans safe passage all the way to Japan on firebombing missions. Iwo Jima was an uninhabited island, but was a strategic military stronghold which the Japanese fought fiercely to defend. The Americans defeated the Japanese on the island and then moved on to Okinawa. These two islands were going to be the launching point for an invasion of Japan.

When U. S. Marines captured the Japanese island of Iwo Jima in March of 1945, it was at a great cost of human life. American soldiers took this island away from the Japanese, robbing them of an important strategic advantage. The island was important as a location for Japanese planes to refuel and to resupply troops stationed on other islands. For the United States, its capture was also beneficial because it could be used as a staging area for attacks on Japan

Additional Helpful Links:

Thinkquest's Iwo Jima Overview

Story of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising

Military Channel's Interactive Casualty Map

D-Day

D-Day was the most important battle of World War II in Europe. Germany had continually advanced and taken over most of Europe. The battle of D-Day was a combined effort of both the United States and Britain to gain a foothold in Europe by storming the Normandy beaches in France. To learn more about June 6, 1944 visit the links below.

On June 6, 1944, a combined force of American and British soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. This attack was necessary for the retaking of France from Germany and was seen by military leaders as essential to drive the German military back to Germany and ultimately defeat them. This three-day battle was costly in terms of life, but was afterward considered a major turning point in the war in Europe.

Additional Helpful Links:

Discovery's Interactive D-Day Site

BBC's Animated D-Day Map

V-E & V-J Day

Victory in Europe--May 8, 1945

Fighting began in Europe in 1939 and did not come to an end until the Allied forces invaded Germany, bringing Adolf Hitler to an end.

May 8, 1945, is celebrated as V-E or Victory in Europe Day. In 1945, Allied forces defeated Germany, which ended most conflict in the European theatre. As the war ended in Europe, the full horror of the Holocaust and the devastating effect on the Jewish people was discovered by the world.

BBC's V-E day webpage.

Video about V-E Day from Discovery.

Victory in Japan--August, 15, 1945

Only a few months after the war ended in Europe, the Japanese surrendered when atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

August 14, 1945, is considered V-J or Victory over Japan Day, when Japan agreed to the Allies’ terms of surrender. This surrender followed the dropping of atomic bombs by the U.S. on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For some, the Japanese surrender came as a surprise, because many believed that Japan would hold out as long as possible.

You can watch an old newsreel with footage from the events of V-J Day that followed.

Holocaust

The Holocaust was the attempt by Nazi Germany to eliminate people that they did not feel were productive members of society. They murdered more than 11 million people and more than 6 million of those people were Jews. Explore the resources on this page to learn all about the tragic history of the Holocaust.

The site linked here was designed for kids in upper elementary and middle school to learn about the holocaust.

Additional Helpful Links:

Animated Holocaust Map

BBC's Interactive Map of Auschwitz

History.com's Holocaust Page (some advanced vocabulary on this page)

Brain POP Holocaust Video

holocaust-ww2holocaustanimatedmap.mp4

c. Discuss President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Vocabulary: invasion, casualties, atomic bomb

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

President Truman made the controversial decision to use the atomic bomb to end World War II, rather than risk American lives in a full fledged attack on Japan. To learn all about the atomic bombs visit this link to History.com. The dropping of the bombs led to the eventual surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945. This day became known as V-J Day. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the second was dropped on Nagasaki 3 days later when the Japanese still refused to surrender. After the second bomb the Japanese finally surrendered.

d. Identify Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill, Hirohito, Truman, Mussolini, and Hitler.

Vocabulary: Communist Party, Nazi party, Allies, Axis Powers, prime minister, maneuver, public opinion, ground troops, bombardment, sacrifice, surrender, premier, emperor, Fascism, dictator, political upheaval, restrictions, genocide

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (President of the United States, 1932-45): After guiding the United States through the Great Depression and creating the New Deal, President Roosevelt’s approval was high among many Americans. As war became inevitable, he hesitated to involve the United States in another destructive war, until the attack on Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack thrust the United States into the conflict. Roosevelt, reelected to his third and fourth terms during World War II, became the face of American resolve during this conflict. He made his famous "day of infamy" speech the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He would not live to see the final days of the war, but would instead die in his vacation home in Warm Springs, Georgia.

Josef Stalin (Premier of the Soviet Union, c. 1929-53): Stalin’s successful rise to power in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union led to his virtual dictatorship by the late 1920s. Initially in an alliance with Nazi Germany, Stalin joined the Allies following Germany’s betrayal and invasion of the Soviet Union. Stalin utilized the harsh winter climate of his country in the Battle for Stalingrad to the defeat German’s forces. This he did by drawing German troops into the country, where he cut off German supply lines.

Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1940-45, was one of the great statesmen of the 20th century. He skillfully maneuvered public opinion and utilized Great Britain’s Navy and ground troops to lead Great Britain through World War II. With his country under constant bombardment by air from Germany during the Battle for Britain, Winston Churchill sought to support the citizens of his country as well as oppose the Axis Powers.

Hirohito (Emperor of Japan, 1926-89): Hirohito’s role in World War II has been debated in recent years. While certainly unable to stop members of his government who were anxious to demonstrate Japan’s military superiority, Hirohito was willing to sacrifice lives to expand Japan’s empire. During this time emperors were viewed as “more than human,” and Hirohito expected his subjects to sacrifice their lives for their country if it was necessary. Japanese soldiers were expected to fight to the death rather than surrender. In fact, it took the use of atomic weapons to force the Japanese military and Hirohito to surrender.

Harry S Truman (President of the United States, 1945-1953): Harry S. Truman, Vice-President, in 1945 became president with the sudden death of President Roosevelt. The war in Europe was close to an end, but the conflict with Japan continued. Utilizing the foreign policy and plans established by Roosevelt, Truman ordered the use of atomic weapons against Japan. This led to Japan’s surrender. Truman also helped to create the United Nations in June of 1945. This was because he believed that diplomacy was the route by which future conflict could be prevented.

Benito Mussolini (Premier of Italy, 1922-43/45): Benito Mussolini, Italy’s Fascist dictator during World War II, was an ally of German, and Japan. As a leader, he utilized Italy’s military to try and re-establish Italy as a great European power.

Adolf Hitler (Chancellor of Germany, 1933-45): In the 1930’s Germany faced economic and political upheaval that was caused by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and by the general economic depression that affected much of the world. Promising the people of Germany jobs, and national pride, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party rose to power. Once the Nazi party gained control of the government, Hitler became Germany’s leader. He used his position as Chancellor to concentrate all political power, and ultimately to seize power as a dictator. Once he had control, laws and policies were instituted to restrict the life of Jews and other minority groups. Ultimately, his ambitions led him to invade other countries, beginning with Poland. The restrictions placed on Jews and others eventually led to large-scale violence and genocide of Jews and others in concentration camps and throughout his territories.

e. Describe the effects of rationing and the changing role of women and African Americans or Blacks; include “Rosie the Riveter” and the Tuskegee Airmen.

Vocabulary: homefront, workforce, rationing, ration cards, overseas, industry, production, propaganda, recruited, servicemen

S5E1 Use the basic economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events.

a. Describe opportunity costs and their relationship to decision-making across time (e.g., decisions by individuals in response to rationing during WWII).

Rations

During times of resource shortage, governments institute rationing. Rationing was put into place by the United States government during World War II because many supplies were necessary for the war, or were simply unavailable due to shipping or production, difficulties. Rationing was established to attempt to fairly distribute limited supplies. Individuals, families, and businesses were allotted set amounts of rationed goods. A card, coin, or stamp indicated how much of an item they could purchase. When an individual reached their limits they could not purchase more goods until they were given new ration cards. Examples of common goods that were rationed were rubber, sugar, butter, gasoline, and coffee.

The large costs in funds and materials for wars like World War II resulted in limited resources within the United States. Thus, resources had to be rationed. During World War II, the United States government had to equip, clothe, feed, move, and support soldiers on two fronts. To get troops to Europe and the Pacific quickly, limited resources within the United States were reallocated. This meant that rather than allowing citizens to buy whatever they could afford, the government chose to ration or limit certain items. Substances like rubber, gasoline, and even basic food items were rationed. The government used rationing to provide members of the armed forces with the materials needed for war. The rationing of resources during war demonstrates the economic concept of opportunity cost. Opportunity cost in its simplest form would be defined as what you gave up when you made a choice. During World War II the opportunity cost was allowing everyone in the United States to buy everything they wanted and could afford, when the government made the decision or choice to ration resources. Opportunity cost is the “next best choice,” and in this case, that was allowing freedom to purchase anything they wanted if they had the money for those items. For the United States government, depriving citizens of their right to purchase was an acceptable opportunity cost so that the military could have what they needed. When demonstrating mastery of this element, students must be able to describe an opportunity cost in general, and should know that there is only one “opportunity cost” when in a decision-making situation. That cost is the single next-best alternative that is not selected.

Women in the War and Rosie

As American men found themselves serving overseas and American industry increased production to build supplies needed for the war, it became apparent that new labor sources were necessary. Many women went to work in factory jobs that had formerly been closed to them, promoted in part by government propaganda. One well-known figure who symbolized proud hard-working, independent American women was Rosie the Riveter. In posters and advertisements, Rosie the Riveter encouraged women to become “Rosies,” and help support their families and country with war work.

http://www.rosietheriveter.org/

Tuskegee Airmen

http://tuskegeeairmen.org/

African-Americans or Blacks also found themselves recruited for factory and other jobs needed for the war effort. Factory jobs continued to attract migrants from rural areas, and often allowed African-Americans or Blacks to reach new levels of job success. In addition, the United States military opened access to military careers that had been denied them earlier. One example of this was the Tuskegee Airmen. The first African-American or Black pilots in American military history, the Tuskegee Airmen, began training in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1940. From there, this group of pilots and support personnel trained and served during World War II. They proved to be skilled pilots and served bravely in numerous military engagements. Teachers will want to note that returning American servicemen reclaimed many industrial jobs following the war, and the surge in women in the workforce did not continue in the post-war years. Equally, some African-Americans found themselves unemployed with the return White servicemen. Many advancements proved to be short-lived.

f. Explain the role of Eleanor Roosevelt and the U.S. in the formation of the United Nations.

Vocabulary: formation, dialogue, diplomacy, international, conflict, victory garden, United Nations, declaration, human rights, universally

historyofunitednations.mp4

United Nations

The failure of the League of Nations resulted in the creation of the United Nations. The United Nations (UN), named by President Franklin Roosevelt, originated with the Allied nations of World War II. In 1945, fifty countries came together to sign an agreement calling for dialogue and diplomacy when issues of international conflict arose. The United Nations was to act as “an international organization designed to end war and promote peace, justice and better living for all mankind.” The United States played a key role in the conferences that created the alliance that became the United Nations, and the United States became one of the leading countries within the UN.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady and wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was an advocate for civil rights for women, African Americans or Blacks , and the under-privileged. As First Lady, she traveled throughout the United States where she met with American citizens to discuss their daily struggles and needs. She used her influence with President Roosevelt to help shape New Deal Legislation to assist them during the Great Depression. As First Lady during World War II, she created a victory garden on the White House Lawn and instituted the same food and gas rationing system at the White House that was instituted in households across the United States. She encouraged volunteers to assist the country and advocated for women to hold jobs traditionally held by men, who were now fighting overseas. Her desire to advocate for human rights continued after World War II when in 1946 she was appointed by President Truman to head the United Nations Human Rights Commission. In this capacity, she helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document identified basic human rights that were universally agreed upon and protected by members of the United Nations

Report abuse