America’s impact on the outcome of World War I was negligible.
During World War II we were decisive. It was American troops,
materials and strategy that led to the defeat of Germany, Italy and
Japan.
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How did the US win the war
in the European Theatre?
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1. German Strategy
- Blitzkrieg – lightening
war.
- Battle of Britain –
saturation bombing of England.
- Attacked Soviet
Union.
2. American Response
- Landings in North
Africa.
- Landings in
Italy:
- Operation Overlord –
D-Day: Opening up of a second front in Normandy
France.
3. Soviet Union and US medt
in Berlin.
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Japanese strategy
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a) Sudden swift attack,
wanted the US to refuse to fight.
b) As the tide turned they
turned to Kamikaze (divine wind) Suicide attacks on ships.
Part of Bushido code
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General MacArthur’s
strategy in the pacific theater
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Island Hopping
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How did the US finally win
the war in the pacific?
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Dropping of the Atomic
Bomb
August
6th –
Hiroshima
August
9th –
Nagasaki
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Why was the US
successful?
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1. Technology (A
Bomb)
2. Industrial might. –
great commitment.
3. Sacrifices by US
domestically – the homefront.
- Women served in various
production capacities like WOW’s (Women of War.
- Women volunteered for
service: WAC’s (Women’s Army Corps), Waves, Spars.
- Citizens observed
rationing.
- Students and others
collected scraps.
- New technology – nylon
as opposed to the silk used parachutes.
- Massive government and
private investment to war industry
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