Sources Used

http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/war/end.html

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_War_II_weapons_of_the_United_States

http://ww2db.com/intro.php?q=2

http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/world-war-2.cfm

 

The War Begins

World War II began when Nazi controlled Germany attacked Poland. Hitler hoped that this attack would create room for the "Racially superior race" (The Germans) during their time of expansion. German expansion had otherwise been tolerated until the attack on Poland. German forces had successfully annexed Austria and occupied Sudetenland and then after gained control of Czechoslovakia in 1939. Hitler's plan was to keep expanding German without the surrounding nations getting aggressive. Great Britain and France did not approve of Germany's growing power and took notice of Hitlers advancement in Poland and demanded that Hitler cease his attack. When Hitler denied the demand of Britain and France to abandon his invasion, Great Britain and France declared war against German in 1939. World War II consisted of six continents, and two groups of alliances called the Axis Powers and the Allied Powers. The Axis Powers was included Germany, Japan, and Italy; The Allied powers were America, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union.

The photo shown above is Adolf Hitler and his Nazi soldiers in Poland before the attack. In the photo you can see the mass that is Hitlers Army, and how heavily armed they are. This display of Nazi power foreshadows the attack on Poland.

The photo shown above displays how heavily the Axis Powers were outnumbered. The Axis Powers only consisted of 4 countries while the Allied Powers had 15. The map provides a visual reference, and gives an outside perspective on the enormity of this war.

The United States Enters the War
The United States did not enter the war until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor Hawaii on December 7th 1941. Japan bombed the U.S because of an Embargo that prevented Japan from receiving the supplies they normal got from America and needed to support their growing economy, this left Japan wounded and in a panic for resources. President Roosevelt appealed to congress asking them to lift the Neutrality Embargo, this would allow America to trade and supply Great Britain and the Soviet Union with weapons and other supplies. After France fell in 1940 Roosevelt began a major military build up, preparing for war. 

The photo shown above is from December 7th 1941, the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. It shows a ship after the explosion, sinking surrounded by a large cloud of black smoke. This day was a major turning point in the war.

Setting, Weaponry, and Tactics

World War II mostly took place in Europe but it also took place in other areas such as Eastern Asia, and numerous islands in the Pacific. During this time, Island hopping became popular after the Battle of Midway Island. The term island hopping refers to a strategy used by the United States to have military bases on as many islands as possibly, it was also a major part in their victory. In the United States, weapons such as the M1903 Springfield rifle and the Browning M1917A1 were used in battle. Among rifles and machine guns, Rocket Launchers (Bazooka's), Flamethrowers, and Mk.2 Fragmentation Hand Grenades were also used. German Air Force, or Luftwaffe, was the best Germany had, its use was to support the Army, and the planes were much more advanced than the Allied Air Force.

The photo shown above is a common rifle used by soldiers in battle. The gun itself was 19.4 pounds, but a soldier also had to carry ammunition, and supplies. The legs at the end of the barrel are a stand so the soldier could fire from a laying position, making it difficult for enemies to see him. 

American Life

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, food, gas, and clothing were rationed to ensure the military had proper supplies for war. Men who were at least 21-45 were drafted to fight, and die in the war. Women joined the war effort and were temporarily employed in factories to make weaponry and ammunition. Women also found employment as electricians, welders, and riveters in defense plants. A woman who took on these roles was called "Rosie the Riveter" a term that originated from a song about a woman named Rosie that works on a production line making war supplies. At the same time, Japanese Americans were being discrimintaed against and their rights were taken from them because they were thought to be spies or still loyal to their homeland. The radio supplied American citizens with war updates and reports about battles and propanda against the Allied Power's enemies. Entertainment became a scapegoat from the hard realities of war, and the many reponsibilities the U.S citizens had for their country.

This photo shown above displays working women inspecting and cleaning weaponry for the war. Without the women to take the men's place at work the American economy would have failed. And there would have been no supplies to fuel the war against the Axis Powers. 

The War Ends

World War II finally ended in 1945 when all of the Axis Powers surrendered. Germany surrendered shortly after Adolf Hitler committed suicide. This was celebrated in Europe on a day known as VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day. Japan did not surrender until a few months after Germany did. Japan did not surrender until two atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th. Japan only surrendered then because of the mass destruction and death numbers. The Imperial government was granted the authority to surrender by the Emperor. He made a personal radio announcement declaring their surrender. This day is celebrated on VJ Day, or Victory in Japan Day.