Ss8 h9 notes
- 1. SS8H9 The student will describe the impact of World War II on Georgia’s development economically, socially, and politically. • a. Describe the impact of events leading up to American involvement in World War II; include Lend-Lease and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. • b. Evaluate the importance of Bell Aircraft, military bases, the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards, Richard Russell, and Carl Vinson. • c. Explain the impact of the Holocaust on Georgians. • d. Discuss President Roosevelt’s ties to Georgia including his visits to Warm Springs and his impact on the state.
- 2. The War Begins • 1938: Hitler’s Germany attacks France to “take back” land lost in WWI (Rhineland) • Sent troops to take over Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland • Great Britain and France declared war • Soviet Union invaded nearby countries and agreed to split Poland with Germany • By 1940, Hitler controlled Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxe mbourg and a large part of France and began bombing Great Britain
- 3. A Neutral United States • Most Americans did not want to get involved in the war, but Roosevelt wanted to help Britain • Hitler turned on Stalin in 1941 and invaded the Soviet Union • Lend-lease: policy to lend or lease (rent) weapons to Great Britain and the Soviet Union • American ships began escorting British ships in convoys
- 4. “A Day that Will Live in Infamy” • President Roosevelt stopped exports to Japan to protest its expansion into other countries • Exports of oil, airplanes, aviation gasoline and metals were stopped • The Japanese attacked the U.S. Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 • Japan hoped to destroy the fleet giving them control of the Pacific Ocean • The USA declared war on Japan • Allied Powers: USA, Great Britain, Soviet Union • Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan
- 5. American Military Forces • Millions of Americans enlisted after the attack on Pearl Harbor • 330,000 women joined – could not serve in combat roles • Segregation in the military kept African American and white service men in different units • Tuskegee Airmen: famous African American flyers of the Army Air Force
- 6. The War in Europe • 1942-1943: British and American troops won control of Africa • 1943: Mussolini overthrown and Italy joined the Allies • American general Dwight D. Eisenhower coordinated plan to recapture Europe • D-Day: June 6, 1944 – Allied forces land in northern France • Early 1945: Germans pushed out of France • April 1945: Soviet and American troops meet and Germany surrenders – Hitler commits suicide
- 7. Georgia Loses a Friend • President Roosevelt visited Georgia often at his “Little White House” in Warm Springs • His polio symptoms were eased in the mineral springs • April 24, 1945: President Roosevelt died at Warm Springs • Millions of Georgians and Americans mourned • Vice President Harry Truman became president
- 8. The War in the Pacific • 1942: Japan expanded its territory throughout the Asian Pacific region • 1945: Allied forces began to retake Japanese controlled lands • Japan refused to surrender • President Truman authorized the use of atomic bombs to force Japan’s surrender • Enola Gay: plane that dropped first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan • Japan surrendered after a second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki • Over 50 million people died in the war
- 9. Bell Aircraft • Opened in 1943 in Marietta – largest aircraft assembly plant in the world • Assembled bombers for the USAF from 1943- 1945. • Employed 27,000 people and assembled over 668 planes • Opened in 1950 as the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation • Today is operated by the Lockheed Martin Corporation
- 10. Military Bases • The state became the site of many military bases during the war including: • Fort Benning in Columbus • Fort McPherson in Atlanta • Fort Gillem in Clayton County • Fort Stewart in Savannah • These military bases helped Georgia’s economy by bringing jobs into the state
- 11. Brunswick and Savannah Shipyards • Built the “Liberty ships” essential to war effort • Savannah - 88 ships built by 15,000 employees – mostly women • Brunswick – 99 Liberty ships built by over 16,000 men and women
- 12. Richard B. Russell, Jr. • Became state’s youngest governor on June 27, 1931 • Created Board of Regents • Elected to U.S. Senate in 1932 • Supported states’ rights and a strong national defense • Co-sponsored a bill to provide school lunch to all children
- 13. Carl Vinson • Vinson was a major influence in promoting a strong national defense. • President Roosevelt and Vinson worked to increase the country’s military readiness. • Georgia’s economy had grown to depend heavily on the state’s military installations, and Vinson represented Georgia’s interest in the military through his committee work.
- 14. The Holocaust • The Holocaust: name given to the Nazi plan to kill all Jewish people • Auschwitz, Buckenwald, Dachau, Treblinka, Bergen-Belsen infamous concentration camps where Jews and others were executed • 6 million people killed in the Holocaust
- 15. Georgia During World War II • 320,000 Georgians joined the armed forces – over 7,000 killed • Military bases were built in the state which improved the economy – • Farmers grew needed crops – income tripled for the average farmer • Limits were put on the consumption of goods such as gasoline, meat, butter, and sugar (rationing) • Students were encouraged to buy war bonds and defense stamps to pay for the war • Victory Garden: small family gardens to make sure soldiers would have enough food • POW (prisoner of war) camps in Georgia at some military bases
- 16. The War’s Effects on Society • Everyone was expected to help in the war effort • Women began working in jobs to replace men who had gone to war • G.I. Bill: law to help returning soldiers adapt to civilian life – Low cost loans for homes or business – College education opportunities • Women and African Americans did not want to go back to the kind of life they had before the war Click to return to Table of Contents.