Basic information about the war – SLIDE 2

World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved the majority of the
world's nations, including all of the great powers. The war was fought between two main alliances -
the Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan, and the Allied powers, consisting of the United
States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. The war had a profound impact on the world, shaping the
course of history and leading to significant changes in society, politics, and international relations.

Before the USA entered the war

The official beginning of the world war was on September 1, 1939, after Germany invaded Poland.
During the next two years Germany conquers Denmark, Norway, Belgium and France. And the battle
of Britain, about which I was talking last time took place. Finally in the year 1941 Roosevelt and
Churchill met and discussed American supply aid to the Allies. However, USA still remained officially
neutral.

Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the
morning of December 7, 1941, against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The
attack killed 2,403 Americans and wounded 1,178 others, and it destroyed or damaged 8 battleships,
3 cruisers, 4 destroyers, and many other naval vessels. The attack led to the United States officially
entering World War II on the side of the Allied powers.

The Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive launched in the densely forested Ardennes
region of eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg during World War II. The battle lasted from
December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, and was the largest battle fought by the US Army during the
war. The battle saw heavy casualties on both sides, with the US ultimately emerging victorious and
helping to turn the tide of the war in Europe.

The Normandy landings

The Normandy landings, also known as D-Day, were a series of amphibious assaults launched by the
Allied powers on June 6, 1944, during World War II. The landings marked the beginning of the
liberation of German-occupied France and were a major turning point in the war. The operation
involved over 156,000 Allied troops, with the majority being American, British, and Canadian soldiers.
The Normandy landings allowed the Allies to establish a foothold in continental Europe and
eventually led to the defeat of Germany in the war.

Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa was a major battle fought in the Pacific theater during World War II between
the Allied powers and the Empire of Japan. The battle began on April 1, 1945, and lasted for 82 days,
with heavy casualties on both sides. The battle was notable for being the largest amphibious assault
of the Pacific War and for the significant role played by kamikaze attacks by Japanese pilots. The
battle ultimately resulted in an Allied victory and paved the way for the eventual Allied invasion of
Japan.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Hiroshima and Nagasaki were two Japanese cities that were destroyed by atomic bombs dropped by
the United States on August 6 and August 9, 1945, respectively, during the final stages of World War
II. The bombings resulted in the deaths of approximately 200,000 people, most of whom were
civilians, and caused widespread destruction. The bombings have remained controversial, with some
arguing that they were necessary to bring an end to the war and others criticizing them as
unnecessary and unjustifiable acts of mass violence.

Tokyo Bay

The Tokyo Bay surrender was the official surrender of Japan to the Allied powers on September 2,
1945, which effectively ended World War II. The ceremony took place on board the USS Missouri in
Tokyo Bay and was presided over by General Douglas MacArthur, who was the Supreme Commander
for the Allied Powers. The signing of the instrument of surrender by Japanese representatives marked
the end of six years of global warfare that had resulted in the deaths of millions of people and had
devastated much of Europe and Asia.

The Aftermath

World War II had a profound impact on the United States, both during the war and in the decades
that followed. The war propelled the US to become a global superpower and led to significant
economic and technological advancements, as the country rapidly mobilized its resources to support
the war effort. The war also had significant social and cultural impacts, including changes in gender
roles and the rise of civil rights movements. Additionally, the war contributed to the growth of the
military-industrial complex and the Cold War, which dominated much of the US foreign policy for the
remainder of the 20th century.