Week 13: The End of World War II

Read

Consequences of The Second World War

Primary Source Readings

Your assigned readings are the next section of this module, Primary Readings, and the detailed description of assignment requirements are in the Dropbox folder for this week’s Primary Source Reading.

This semester, you will read two primary sources every other week. The topic of each reading set relates to the subjects that we will be studying in the history of Western Civilization. I have selected two readings for every topic that contrast and conflict one another.

Watch the Following Supplemental Videos

1. 1943 – Axis Losing in Europe [Enter key starts video]
   In 1943, the tide really turns in favor of the Allies in World War II. They are able to push the Axis out of N.Africa and force a surrender from Italy (along with Mussolini being deposed). The Soviets are able to start pushing the Axis out of the Soviet Union.
   
2. 1944 – American Progress in The Pacific [Enter key starts video]
   In 1944, the Americans (and Allies) make even more progress in the Pacific. By the end of the year, they have taken positions that put them within bombing range of Japan.
   
3. 1944 – Allies Advance further in Europe [Enter key starts video]
   As we go into 1944, we see the allies land at Normandy, liberate France and face Germany in their last major counteroffensive at the Battle of the Bulge. On the Eastern Front, the Soviets end Siege of Leningrad and begin to push through Poland and Romania. In the south, Allies land in southern France and take Rome.
   
4. 1945 – End of World War II [Enter key starts video]
   1945 marks the end of World War II. V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) is May 8th 1945.War doesn’t end in the Pacific until August of 1945 with the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.