World War II Teacher Notes

One Stop Shop For Educators 8H9 The student will describe the impact of World War II on Georgia’s development economically, socially, and politically. World war II had a major impact on the state of Georgia. While suffering though the Great Depression, many Georgians watched with interest or fear about the events that were taking place in Europe and Asia. Hitler’s Nazi Party had risen to power during the 1930s and sparked another world war with the 1939 attack on Poland. In the Pacific, Japan was focused on China, though Americans began to realize that they may set their sights on other islands in the Pacific, including American territories. Though America was technically neutral during the first years of the war, Roosevelt was “lending” military aid to Great Britain. America finally officially entered the war with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. As with World War I, once war was declared Georgians sprang into action. Many Georgians fought and died in the Army, Navy, and Marines. The military camps that were in the state became bases due to the large influx of military men and material. Georgia also became more industrialized as the Bell Aircraft company started building bombers and the navy ship yards in Brunswick and Savannah built “Liberty Ships” to aid in the war effort. Toward the end of the war, Georgia began to learn about the Holocaust and the horrific events that took place in Europe. Some of the survivors made their way to the United States, and to Georgia, to live and they told their stories. The unspeakable evil of the Holocaust led to some Georgians reevaluating their own racial policies and beliefs. Finally, in 1945, popular president and adopted Georgian Franklin Roosevelt died at his home, “the Little White House,” in Warm Springs, Georgia. Roosevelt developed some of his New Deal programs, especially for rural farmers, based on his experiences in the state. Roosevelt’s death led to great mourning in Georgia and the rest of the United States. The man who was President during the Great Depression and World War II was gone. For this standard, students should be able to describe the impact of the event lead to the American involvement in World War II, evaluate the importance of military installations in Georgia during the war, and the role played by Georgians Carl Vinson and Richard Russell. Students should also understand the impact of the Holocaust on Georgians. Finally, students should be able to Presidents Roosevelt’s ties to the state. Events Leading up to American Involvement in World War II a. Describe the impact of events When World War II erupted in September 1939, many Americans saw it as a “European” problem and leading up to American hoped to stay out of the conflict. As Germany continued to be victorious and take over nation after involvement in World War II; nation, the U.S. continued to watch from the sidelines. In the Pacific, Japan was taking over large portions of China and other countries of southeast Asia, and the U.S. continued to remain neutral. include Lend-Lease and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Lend-Lease Act Though America officially stayed out of the fight until December 1941, President Roosevelt and the U.S. Congress were anything but neutral. Fearing a victory of Japan and Germany, the U.S. lent support to allies who were at war with either. The U.S. sent billions of dollars worth of supplies to the United Kingdom, France, the Soviet Union, and China. In exchange, these countries gave the U.S. base rights in these countries military bases. The Lend-Lease Act was passed by Congress in February of 1941 and signed into law by Roosevelt in March. For the next four years, the U.S. continued to supply the countries supplies and military equipment while taking part in the war as well. For more information about the Lend-Lease Act see: Our Documents: “Lend-Lease Act (1941)” http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=71 The Bombing of Pearl Harbor One of the most tragic events in America’s history was the Japanese surprise attack on the Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On December 7, 1941, over 300 Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor in hopes of crippling the U.S. military to further their plan to take over more land in the Pacific. In the Georgia Department of Education Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE EIGHT TEACHER NOTES REVISED 10/16/2012 Page 62 of 144 Copyright 2012 © All Rights Reserved One Stop Shop For Educators attack over 2000 Americans were killed and the U.S. lost over 150 ships. While the attack accomplished its goal of damaging the U.S. Navy, it also changed the vast majority of opinion about staying out of the war. On December 8, 1941, in a moving speech, President Roosevelt called December 7, “a day that will live in infamy” and asked Congress to declare war on Japan, which it did. A few days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S., which America did in turn. From December 8, 1941, until victory in 1945, America fought a two front war against Japan, Germany, and Italy. For U.S. Navy images of the attack on Pearl Harbor see: Navy History and Heritage Command: “Pearl Harbor Raid” http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm b. Evaluate the importance of Bell As American entered World War II, Georgia made several contributions to the effort. As it did in World Aircraft, military bases, the War I, Georgia supplied thousands of soldiers and sailors as well as military bases. This time, however, Georgians contributed industrially with the construction of both airplanes in Marietta and ships in Savannah and Brunswick Brunswick and Savannah. Finally, before, during, and after the war, two Georgia political leaders, shipyards, Richard Russell, and Richard Russell and Carl Vinson helped the country prepare and continue to fight a long and difficult Carl Vinson. two front war. For more information about Georgia’s contributions during World War II see: The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “World War II in Georgia” http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-3507&hl=y, GPS Georgia Stories: “The Women of World War II” http://www.gpb.org/georgiastories/stories/women_of_world_war_two Bell Aircraft In the short term, the arrival of Bell Aircraft company in Marietta, Georgia, was important for the production of the B-29 bomber, a bomber that was America’s most technologically advanced of the war. The company was able to produce over 650 of the bombers before the end of World War II. Some of the planes were used in World War II and later in the Korean War. However, the Bell Aircraft company had an even more important impact on the economy of Georgia. During the war almost 30,000 people, many from Georgia, were employed at the largest plant to have ever been built in the Deep South. After the war the plant closed until 1951; however, the Lockheed Martin Company took over the facility that continues to employee Georgians today. Due to the proximity of the plant, the Dobbins Air Force based was located nearby, adding more employment opportunities to the area. For more information about Bell Aircraft see: The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “Bell Bomber” http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1014 Military Bases During World War I there were more military facilities in Georgia than any other state (see Teacher Note SSH7). During World War II, due to the number of men and women in uniform, many of these bases grew in size. They played an important role in training and supplying the military during the war. For example, Fort Benning near Columbus, Georgia, was the largest and viewed as the best infantry facility during the war. Interestingly, these bases also held thousands of enemy prisoners. Today, these bases provide thousands of jobs for Georgian and pump millions of dollars into the state’s economy. For more information about Georgia’s World War II Military bases see: The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “Fort Benning” http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-822, The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “Fort Gordon” Georgia Department of Education Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE EIGHT TEACHER NOTES REVISED 10/16/2012 Page 63 of 144 Copyright 2012 © All Rights Reserved One Stop Shop For Educators http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1321, The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “Fort McPherson” http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1091, The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “Robins Air Force Base” http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-847&hl=y, The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “Foreign Prisoners of War” http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-592 Savannah and Brunswick Shipyards A major contribution during the war came from the large number of civilians (many women) who built “liberty ships” during the war. These ships were used to transport troops and supplies to both the European and Pacific fronts. In all, 187 ships used during the war were built in either Savannah or Brunswick. For more information about the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards see: The New Georgia Encyclopedia: “World War II in Georgia ” http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-3507&hl=y Richard B. Russell Richard B. Russell Jr. (1897-1971) was a governor of Georgia and U.S senator, serving in the senate for 38 years. Born in Winder, Georgia, Russell was a graduate of the University of Georgia.

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