Major Battles
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
This bombing is what caused the U.S. to become involved in the war and out of neutrality. This happened the morning of December 7, 1941. The intention of the bombing was to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from surprise attacking the Empire of Japan. The U.S. had no chance in defending this attack.
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Battle of Stalingrad
This was a major turning point of WW2. In this Battle, Germany betrayed the Soviet Union by invading their territory. Germany thought they could go into Stalingrad and attack then leave. This didn't go as planned. Germany was there for over a year constantly battling. Near the end of this battle, Germany had pushed back the Soviet Union so far and fought against them so strongly that they thought they had the war won. The Red army (Soviet Union Army), started their plan called Operation Uranus. This operation targeted the weaker Romanian and Hungarian forces protecting Germany's Sixth Army. This left Germany with no protection and they were surrounded by the Red Army. Hitler ordered the Sixth Army to make no attempt to escape because Germany was going to try to finish with air attack but failed when a group of the Soviet Air force stopped them. Soviet Union won this battle. This is said to be the bloodiest battle of World War Two.
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
U.S. Drops Atomic Bombs on Japan
On August 9th, 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. Shortly after, they dropped another one on Hiroshima. This bombing ended U.S. and Japanese conflicts. Japan was expecting a U.S. attack but they didn't plan on it being so severe. Japan became allies with the U.S. after the bombing and they became democratic.
U.S. drops bombs on Japan
U.S. drops bombs on Japan
The Blackout
The Blackout occurred in Britain on September 1, 1939. It was when people had to put black curtains and paint on everything to prevent glare that would cause the enemy air force to see their village. Headlights were dimmed so that they weren't visible to enemy aircraft at night.
The Blackout Website
The Blackout Website
The Blitz
The Blitz was the time during World War Two when Germany attempted to bomb Great Britain. They did this to try to completely take out Great Britain from the war. London was one of the most seriously bombed cities in this event.
The Blitz website
The Blitz website
The Home-Front
All citizens of Great Britain were forced to help in all ways necessary to prepare for any attacks. This meant rationing supplies, food, and water. They prepared also by having many war supplies near for defense of attack.
The home-front website
The home-front website
World War Two's Effect on children
World War Two had a very negative effect on children during that time. Whether is was the rationing of food and water or the loss of fathers or even the evacuations of their cities, all of these things had an effect that couldn't be fixed on these children. Most children took an adult role at a very young age. Roles such as working and household chores.
Children in WW2 website
Children in WW2 website
Evacuations, Rationing, and Air Raids
In World War Two, all civilians of countries involved were asked to give up a lot. When they were forced to ration, this meant that they would give food, money, and supplies for the soldiers. There would be days when people would go without any food. Evacuations were very frequent during World War Two but most of the time they didn't help. When there were evacuations, they were only because of rumor of attack. Usually, there weren't evacuations when there actually was an attack because the technology of this time wasn't good enough to tell ahead of time whether there was an attack or not. Air raids were very frequently used in World War Two because they could have a bomb hanging from the bottom of the airplane then drop it and destroy towns and cities. When air raids occurred there were shelters that people could go to but it was usually to late by the time they arrived.
Air Raids Website
Evacuation Website
Rationing website
Air Raids Website
Evacuation Website
Rationing website
School During World War Two
Schools were very small in World War Two. They were also very different from present day schools. Instead of having a fire drill or a bad weather drill, they would have bomb and attack drills. Also, instead of collecting box tops, they would collect aluminum for the war effort.
School During WW2 website
School During WW2 website
When and Why were Ration Cards Introduced during World War Two and Why were they Important
Ration Cards were introduced during World War Two when the U.S.A. became involved in the war. They were made so that people didn't buy too many supplies that were needed for the war. Ration Cards are cards that you would bring with you when you buy items and you only have a certain amount of them for each item. Once you run out you can not buy any more of that item until you get more. They were important because it prevented people from buying too many of that item so that more could go to the troops.
Ration Card Website
Ration Card Website
Major Electronic and Mechanical Inventions Pre and Post World War Two
Pre World War Two: Focused mainly on war supplies such as guns, tanks, and ammo.
Post World War Two: Focused mainly on producing consumer goods such as cars, radios, and TV's.
Mechanical and Electronic inventions pre and post ww2
Post World War Two: Focused mainly on producing consumer goods such as cars, radios, and TV's.
Mechanical and Electronic inventions pre and post ww2
Cost of an Average Home During World War Two
The cost of an average World War Two house was about $14,000. The appliances in one of these homes were very different than present day appliances. Telephones had a rotary dial and a cord. Appliances such as washing machines were very big and required manual tossing and spinning of the clothes. Floors didn't usually have a pretty design or bright colors. It was either a gray cement floor or, if you were rich enough, a wooden floor. Home furnishings during this time were centered around the war. Such as pictures of a father at war or a flag hanging up.
Houses during WW2 website
Houses during WW2 website
Lead Genres During World War Two
Music was conisidered a waste of time for some people during World War Two but to others music is the only way they survived it. Most music was about wanting the soldiers back and wanting peace. This was typically sung in Jazz Songs. Lead Musicians included Vera Lynn (Britain), Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein (U.S.).
Lead WW2 Genres
Lead WW2 Genres
Major Department Stores
Spooners was the largest department store during World War Two. It had everything from food and drinks to medicines to even photography production. Mutley Plain was a chain store for Spooners that had most of the same items as it.
Department Store Website
Department Store Website