Additionally, you are to read War in Pacific. It is .pdf file I've shared with you in your WWII file folder. After reading the three pages and studying the sources, answer the following questions and post them to your blog. These are due on Monday.
Title: Dropping the Atomic Bomb Labels: atomic_bomb, Manhattan_Project, Truman, Japan, WWII, Pacific_War
1. What factors have affected viewpoints on Truman's decision?
Many at the time agreed with Truman's decision to drop the bomb because there would be no bloody invasion of Japan and save American lives. No country could recover from the impact of it. However some disagreed because they felt that the bomb was unnecessary to win the war. The bomb would also have far reaching consequences. Because Truman was an anti-communist, some also felt that he dropped the bomb just to scare the Soviets.
2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
I think that looking at it from a historical it is harder to agree with Truman's decision. There is a good chance that the Allies could have won in the Pacific even without the bomb, however this would have been very bloody and many American soldiers would have died. Also this marked the beginning of the nuclear age and nuclear weapons cause damage that has effects far in the future besides being immensely destructive immediately. However, if I were an American during the war I think that I would support Truman's decision. It would have guaranteed Japan's defeat and spared American troops the invasion.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
War in the Pacific
Read Chapter 25-3, The War in the Pacific (Stop at the end of page 790) and answer the following questions. These are due at the beginning of class Friday. Title: War in the Pacific Labels: Atomic_Bomb, Truman, Pacific_War, Japan, MacArthur, Battle_of_Midway, Manhattan_Project, Iwo_Jima.
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
It was a turning point in the Pacific war, soon et Allies began "island Hopping" toward Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The US adopted an offensive strategy, jumping from island to island and regaining territory until they reached Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
This island would enable the US to drop bombs on Japan now.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
This was the only island that stood between the US and invading japan. Only 200 Japanese survived and the Allies felt this would be just as bad or worse when Japan itself was invaded.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the development of the atomic bomb, it was led by J. Robert Oppenheimer.At its peak more than 600,000 Americans we involved but few knew its true mission.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
Truman chose to do this to bring the war to an end and because the Japanese refused to surrender.
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
It was a turning point in the Pacific war, soon et Allies began "island Hopping" toward Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The US adopted an offensive strategy, jumping from island to island and regaining territory until they reached Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
This island would enable the US to drop bombs on Japan now.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
This was the only island that stood between the US and invading japan. Only 200 Japanese survived and the Allies felt this would be just as bad or worse when Japan itself was invaded.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the development of the atomic bomb, it was led by J. Robert Oppenheimer.At its peak more than 600,000 Americans we involved but few knew its true mission.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
Truman chose to do this to bring the war to an end and because the Japanese refused to surrender.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
War for Europe and North Africa Part II
Read the remainder of Chapter 25-2 (pages 779 onward) (War for Europe and North Africa) and post your answers to the following questions in your blog. Your answers are due at the beginning of class Tuesday. Title: War for Europe and North Africa - Part II Labels: WWII, FDR, Churchill, D-Day, Battle_of_Bulge, Germany, Hitler, Truman
6. What was D-Day?
D-Day was the plan by the Allies to attack Normandy in France set for June 5th, but delayed because of weather. June 6th is what is now known as D-day, the day of the invasion.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
At the Battle of Bulge 8 German tanks broke through American defenses along and 80 mile front and drove 60 miles into Allied territory. When it ended after over a month, the Germans had been pushed back and had lost 120,000 troops, 600 tanks and assault guns and 1,600 planes.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
In Germany, Allied troops found Nazi death camps in Germany, here they found starving prisoners, huge crematoriums and storehouses of shoes.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler married Eva Braun and wrote his last address to Germany, blaming the war on Jews. Hitler shot himself (Braun drank poison).
F. D. Roosevelt had a fatal stroke on April 12, 1945. His vice president Harry S. Truman became president.
6. What was D-Day?
D-Day was the plan by the Allies to attack Normandy in France set for June 5th, but delayed because of weather. June 6th is what is now known as D-day, the day of the invasion.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
At the Battle of Bulge 8 German tanks broke through American defenses along and 80 mile front and drove 60 miles into Allied territory. When it ended after over a month, the Germans had been pushed back and had lost 120,000 troops, 600 tanks and assault guns and 1,600 planes.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
In Germany, Allied troops found Nazi death camps in Germany, here they found starving prisoners, huge crematoriums and storehouses of shoes.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler married Eva Braun and wrote his last address to Germany, blaming the war on Jews. Hitler shot himself (Braun drank poison).
F. D. Roosevelt had a fatal stroke on April 12, 1945. His vice president Harry S. Truman became president.
War for Europe and North Africa
Read Chapter 25-2 (pages 775 - 779 - You don't need to finish chapter. This will be the next day's homework) (War for Europe and North Africa) and post your answers to the following questions in your blog. Your answers are due at the beginning of class Tuesday. Title: War for Europe & North Africa Labels: WWII, FDR, Churchill, Battle_of_Atlantic, Stalingrad, Mussolini, Italy, Germany
1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to back each other up in the war. Churchill convenced Roosevelt to strike against Hilter first and then deal with teh Pacific war.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
If they had not won than Britain's supplies would have been cut off. If they had not won that battle than they would have lost the war at sea.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The Battle of Stalingrad was so important because it prevented Hitler from winning the war; it was a major turning point. After the battle the soviets were able to move west.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
107,000 American troops were sent to Casablanca, Oran and Algiers from where they went east and chased after the afrika corps,led by Gerneral Erwin Rommel, eventually causing them to surrender. After Harold alexander sent a message to Churchill saying that "all enemy resistance has ceased".
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy, they first captured Sicily (mussolini was taken out of power),later there was one of the bloodiest battles, "Bloody Anzio" which took place near Rome, (25,000 allie casualties and 30,000 axis). Itlay was not freed until 1945 when Germany was close to collapse.
1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to back each other up in the war. Churchill convenced Roosevelt to strike against Hilter first and then deal with teh Pacific war.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
If they had not won than Britain's supplies would have been cut off. If they had not won that battle than they would have lost the war at sea.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The Battle of Stalingrad was so important because it prevented Hitler from winning the war; it was a major turning point. After the battle the soviets were able to move west.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
107,000 American troops were sent to Casablanca, Oran and Algiers from where they went east and chased after the afrika corps,led by Gerneral Erwin Rommel, eventually causing them to surrender. After Harold alexander sent a message to Churchill saying that "all enemy resistance has ceased".
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy, they first captured Sicily (mussolini was taken out of power),later there was one of the bloodiest battles, "Bloody Anzio" which took place near Rome, (25,000 allie casualties and 30,000 axis). Itlay was not freed until 1945 when Germany was close to collapse.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Mobilizing for WWII
Read Chapter 25-1: Mobilizing for War and note how each of the following contributed to that effort.
Please post to your blog prior to class on Monday. Title: Mobilizing for WWII. Labels: WWII, homefront
1. Selective Service System
The Selective Service System drafted soldiers when the volunteers were not enough. It contributed to the war effort by strengthening the military by providing another 10 million troops.
2. Women
The women's auxiliary army corps was founded and woman now served in non-combat positions.
3. Minorities
More than 300,000 Mexican Americans joined the military and about 10,000,000 African Americans, as well as more than 13,000 Chinese Americans and 33,000 Japanese Americans and 25,000 Native Americans.
4. Manufacturers
The automobile industry stopped functioning as a private industry to make war supplies like boats, planes, and command cars. All over the country production companies were converted to war production. Also many women and minorities took over men's jobs in the factories.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
This brought scientists together to help the war effort. It improved radar and sonar and technology for finding submarines under water, it pushed DDT to kill insects and created drugs like penicillin. Most significantly however was the creation of the atomic bomb.
6 Entertainment industry
Hollywood began promoting the war by creating propaganda films and films that stirred up hatred for Nazis.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)
Because production had dropped on many goods due to the war effort, the OPA fought price inflation by freezing the costs of those products. The OPA also set up a food rationing system.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPB was in charge of making sure that the troops received the proper supplies.It allocated different materials to key industries.
9. Rationing
The OPA set up a rationing system that set up fixed allotments of food for the military and also for the citizens of America. People were given coupons to buy restrictive amounts of food and things like gas. Many people saw this as a personal contribution to the war effort. Cutting back meant more for the war effort.
Please post to your blog prior to class on Monday. Title: Mobilizing for WWII. Labels: WWII, homefront
1. Selective Service System
The Selective Service System drafted soldiers when the volunteers were not enough. It contributed to the war effort by strengthening the military by providing another 10 million troops.
2. Women
The women's auxiliary army corps was founded and woman now served in non-combat positions.
3. Minorities
More than 300,000 Mexican Americans joined the military and about 10,000,000 African Americans, as well as more than 13,000 Chinese Americans and 33,000 Japanese Americans and 25,000 Native Americans.
4. Manufacturers
The automobile industry stopped functioning as a private industry to make war supplies like boats, planes, and command cars. All over the country production companies were converted to war production. Also many women and minorities took over men's jobs in the factories.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
This brought scientists together to help the war effort. It improved radar and sonar and technology for finding submarines under water, it pushed DDT to kill insects and created drugs like penicillin. Most significantly however was the creation of the atomic bomb.
6 Entertainment industry
Hollywood began promoting the war by creating propaganda films and films that stirred up hatred for Nazis.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)
Because production had dropped on many goods due to the war effort, the OPA fought price inflation by freezing the costs of those products. The OPA also set up a food rationing system.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPB was in charge of making sure that the troops received the proper supplies.It allocated different materials to key industries.
9. Rationing
The OPA set up a rationing system that set up fixed allotments of food for the military and also for the citizens of America. People were given coupons to buy restrictive amounts of food and things like gas. Many people saw this as a personal contribution to the war effort. Cutting back meant more for the war effort.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941
The IA question: Using the documents and your own knowledge assess the state of diplomatic relations between Japan and the U.S. in 1941.
DIRECTIONS: Based on this question, create a bullet-pointed list of evidence from each document. List the evidence under each document ID. You are NOT to answer the question. Simply list the evidence. Copy and paste the following into your blog. Title: Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941 Labels: Pearl_Harbor, WWII, FDR, Japan, This is due at the beginning of class on Friday.
Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941
Document A
(meeting of Japanese Imperial cabinet)
-trying to advance in south so Germany and Italy can defeat England
-Want to force China to surrender and then the Soviet Union
-By seizing south they can damager America's source to strategic materials
-They want to defeat American and England by seizing more hostile and asian countries
Document B
-FDR, Cordell Hulll and Sumner Welles) standing together reading "pacific situation" but turned facing Tojo
-Tojo is running around them angrily
Document C
(Japanese dispatch)
-U.S. is presenting "humiliating proposal"
-Japan can't use it as basis for negotiations
-negotiations between the two countries will be ended
-Imperial Government has made huge sacrifices for peace of Pacific, but the U.S. has been unbending and has made this impossible
Document D
(imperial conference)
-Tojo has reached decision to commence hostilities
-are going to make "all out effort" for Japanese war aims
Document E
(extract from Roosevelt's address)
-U.S. "suddenly and elaborately" attacked by Japan
-had been at peace with that nation prior to attack
-Japan had wanted to discontinue diplomatic relations but had not threatened war
-Attack has been planned for many days or weeks
-Roosevelt has requested congress to declare war on Japan
DIRECTIONS: Based on this question, create a bullet-pointed list of evidence from each document. List the evidence under each document ID. You are NOT to answer the question. Simply list the evidence. Copy and paste the following into your blog. Title: Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941 Labels: Pearl_Harbor, WWII, FDR, Japan, This is due at the beginning of class on Friday.
Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941
Document A
(meeting of Japanese Imperial cabinet)
-trying to advance in south so Germany and Italy can defeat England
-Want to force China to surrender and then the Soviet Union
-By seizing south they can damager America's source to strategic materials
-They want to defeat American and England by seizing more hostile and asian countries
Document B
-FDR, Cordell Hulll and Sumner Welles) standing together reading "pacific situation" but turned facing Tojo
-Tojo is running around them angrily
Document C
(Japanese dispatch)
-U.S. is presenting "humiliating proposal"
-Japan can't use it as basis for negotiations
-negotiations between the two countries will be ended
-Imperial Government has made huge sacrifices for peace of Pacific, but the U.S. has been unbending and has made this impossible
Document D
(imperial conference)
-Tojo has reached decision to commence hostilities
-are going to make "all out effort" for Japanese war aims
Document E
(extract from Roosevelt's address)
-U.S. "suddenly and elaborately" attacked by Japan
-had been at peace with that nation prior to attack
-Japan had wanted to discontinue diplomatic relations but had not threatened war
-Attack has been planned for many days or weeks
-Roosevelt has requested congress to declare war on Japan
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
America Movies Toward War
read Chapter 24-4 in your history textbook and answer the following questions. Post them to your blog by Wednesday at 3:10 p.m. Title: America Moves Toward War Labels: FDR, Pearl_Harbor, WWII, Japan, Great_Britain, Axis_Powers,
1. What did the 1939 Neutrality Act allow?
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed the US to trade with other countries under the cash and carry policy, or the policy in which other countries would pay cash for US goods and pick them up.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Germany, Italy and Japan.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
the Lend-Lease Act provided aid to allies of the US (Great Britain) by "lending" them supplies that technically was supposed to be returned after the war.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges contained in the Atlantic Charter were promises between Britain and the US for collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were the nations that fought the Axis powers, a total of 26 nations, among them Great Britain, the US, and the Soviet Union.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.s. Pacific fleet?
The raid had sunk or damaged 21 ships, including 8 battleships, almost all of the US pacific fleet.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Germany and Italy declared war on the US because the US declared war on Japan.
1. What did the 1939 Neutrality Act allow?
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed the US to trade with other countries under the cash and carry policy, or the policy in which other countries would pay cash for US goods and pick them up.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Germany, Italy and Japan.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
the Lend-Lease Act provided aid to allies of the US (Great Britain) by "lending" them supplies that technically was supposed to be returned after the war.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges contained in the Atlantic Charter were promises between Britain and the US for collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were the nations that fought the Axis powers, a total of 26 nations, among them Great Britain, the US, and the Soviet Union.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.s. Pacific fleet?
The raid had sunk or damaged 21 ships, including 8 battleships, almost all of the US pacific fleet.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Germany and Italy declared war on the US because the US declared war on Japan.
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