HST 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Victory Over Japan Day, Thermonuclear Weapon, Nuclear Warfare
Document Summary
The end of world war ii and the dawn of the atomic age. 16 million men and women serve between 1941-1945. 1/9 of the entire country is in military service. Reaches a peak size of 12 million people. 2/3 are drafted, volunteers no longer accepted after 1942. Focus first on north africa and on italy. Avoid advancing on germany"s western front for two years. Germany"s war with russia weakens nazi military strength. By 1944, 3 million troops ready to reclaim france. June 6, 1944 - launch attack on the beaches of normandy (d-day) By august, allied forces liberate paris after four years of nazi control. December 1944, german troops make a desperate surge. Drive allied forces back 50 miles but are ultimately stopped. The largest single battle ever fought by the us army. Ends serious german military resistance in the west. March 1945: allied troops in the west and russian troops in the east have.
