Texas During World War II

1
Texas During World War II

• Unit 11
• Ch. 23 Section 1

2
WWII Begins

• The Great Depression of the 1930s hit countries
  in Europe as well as the U.S.
• During this time, many European countries saw
  dictators take over their governments.
• Military leaders In Germany, Italy and Japan
  began wars of expansion.
• Axis Powers formed

3
Adolf Hitler (Germany)
Hirohito (Japan)
Benito Mussolini (Italy)
4
World War II Begins

• 1939 Germany invaded Poland.
• England and France both declared war on
  GermanyWW2 begins.
• Axis Powers quickly conquers neighboring
  countries in Europe and SE Asia.

5
The U.S. and WWII

• The Allied were the nations at war with the Axis
  Powers. The Allies included England, China,
  France, and Russia
• Officially, the United States was neutral, but
  provided military equipment for the Allies
  through the Lend-Lease Act
• There was a lot of debate in the U.S. about
  whether or not to join the war (most are against
  it)U.S. will be neutral for 2 years

6
The U.S. and WWII

• Americas neutrality ended on December 7, 1941,
  when Japanese planes bombed the U.S. Naval Base
  at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• The next day President Roosevelt asks the U.S.
  Congress for a declaration of war against Japan.

7
Texans Respond

• Doris Miller, an African American sailor from
  Waco, received the Navy Cross for firing at
  Japanese airplanes during the Pearl Harbor
  attack.
• General Dwight D. Eisenhower (aka Ike) from
  Denison commanded Allied forces in Europe.
• Admiral Chester Nimitz of Fredericksburg
  commanded the Allied forces in the Pacific.

8
Texans Respond

• Audie Murphy of Kingston received more medals
  than any other American becomes successful movie
  actor
• Commander Samuel D. Dealey of Dallas was most
  decorated man of U.S. Navy

9
Texans Respond

• Womens Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) organized
  by Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby
• Womens Air Service Pilots (WASPs) trained at
  Avenger Field in Sweetwater ferried aircraft
• Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service
  (WAVES) exclusive womens group for U.S. Naval
  Reserve

10
Texas in WWII

• Texass favorable climate, location b/w two
  coasts, and wide open spaces made it ideal for
  military bases
• More than 100 bases built
• Soldiers, sailors, and airmen came from
  everywhere to train

11
Texas in WWII

• Thousands of Germans, Italians, and Japanese
  soldiers captured in battle were housed in more
  than 20 camps
• Prisoners worked performing agricultural tasks
• Some Japanese and German Americans were held in
  family internment camps for their own safety