SS8H9 World War 2

SS8H9 World War 2

GSESS8H9.a

When World War II erupted in September 1939, many Americans saw it as a “European” problem and hoped to stay out of the conflict. As Germany continued to be victorious and take over nation after 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. 

Multiple Choice

World War II started on which date?

• 9/1930

• 9/1929

• 9/1939

GSESS8H9.a continued

Though America officially stayed out of the fight until December 7, 1941, President Roosevelt and the U.S. Congress were anything but neutral. Fearing a victory by Japan and Germany, the U.S. lent support to allies who were at war with the Japanese and the Germans. The U.S. sent billions of dollars in supplies to the United Kingdom, France, the Soviet Union, and China. In exchange, these allied countries gave the U.S. the privilege to use military bases in their countries if necessary.

Multiple Choice

What did the US give the United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union, and China in exchange for using military bases in these countries?

• nothing

• One billion dollars

• One thousand dollars

• Billions of dollars in supplies

GSESS8H9.a continued

The Lend-Lease Act was passed by Congress in February of 1941 and signed into law by Roosevelt in March. The Lend-Lease Act, approved by Congress in March 1941, had given President Roosevelt virtually unlimited authority to direct material aid such as ammunition, tanks, airplanes, trucks, and food to the war effort in Europe without violating the nation's official position of neutrality. 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. Though there was considerable opposition to the Lend-Lease Act by opponents of the war, this program successfully helped Great Britain defend against German invasion. 

Multiple Choice

The Lend-Lease Act, approved by Congress in March 1941, had given President Roosevelt virtually unlimited authority to direct material aid such as ammunition, tanks, airplanes, trucks, and food to the war effort in Europe without violating the nation's official position of neutrality.

• True

• False

GSESS8H9.a continued

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 in order to further their plan to take over more land in the Pacific. In the attack, over 2000 Americans were killed and the U.S. lost over 150 ships.

GSESS8H9.a continued

While the attack accomplished its goal of damaging the U.S. Navy, it also changed the vast majority of opinions 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., to which America responded in turn. From December 8, 1941, until victory in 1945, America fought alongside the Allied Powers of Britain, France, and the Soviet Union (USSR) against Japan, Germany, and Italy.  

Multiple Choice

When did the United States enter WWII and why?

• December 9, 1941, because Japan attacked the Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

• December 8, 1942, because Japan attacked the Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

• December 8, 1941, because Japan attacked the Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Multiple Choice

“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific." Franklin D. Roosevelt

The quote above describes what event?

• Hiroshima

• Pearl Harbor

• D-Day

Multiple Choice

Which side did the United States take during WWII?

• the US sided with the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan

• the US sided with the Allied Powers of Britain, France, and the Soviet Union (USSR)

GSESS8H9.b

Georgia was instrumental in providing military support to the war effort. From building aircraft and Liberty ships to the quality training that the infantry received, Georgia’s participation in the war effort was essential to the allied success of World War II.

In the short term, the arrival of the Bell Bomber plant 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 bombers before the end of World War II. These planes were used in World War II and later in the Korean War. 

Multiple Choice

What factory was opened in Marietta which created B-29 Bombers for the Allied Powers?

• Shipyards

• Bell Bomber Plant

• Fieldale

GSESS8H9.b continued

However, the Bell Bomber 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 employ Georgians today. Due to the proximity of the plant, the Dobbins Air Force based was located nearby, adding more employment opportunities to the area. 

Multiple Choice

How did the Bell Bomber Plant affect Georgia and the United States during WWII?

• Planes at this plant were built in Marietta, Georgia and helped the state add people to the workforce, which helped Georgia to get out of the Great Depression

• It didn't affect Georgia

• more people traveled by plane

GSESS8H9.b continued

During World War I there were more military facilities in Georgia than in any other state. 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 Georgians and pump millions of dollars into the state’s economy. 

Multiple Choice

How did Georgia’s military bases help during World War II?

• They gave jobs to the people of Georgia, which helped its economy

• they trained soldiers to fight in the war

• they housed prisoners of war

• all of the above are correct

GSESS8H9.b continued

A major contribution during the war came from a large number of civilians (many women) who built Liberty ships during the war. These cargo 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. 

The economic impact of the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards on Georgia communities was huge. More than 15,000 employees, many of which were women, built 88 Liberty ships at the Savannah shipyard. The J. A. Jones shipyard in Brunswick turned out 99 Liberty ships in just two years. Local economies were boosted when thousands of Georgia citizens earned paychecks that were ultimately re-invested in community businesses.

Multiple Choice

What was built at the Brunswick and Savannah shipyards?

• Cargo ships for the military

• cruise ships for the military

• Air Force bases

GSESS8H9.c

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. After serving as a lawyer for a year, at the age of 23 he was one of the youngest people ever elected to the Georgia General Assembly. In 1931, Russell was elected Governor of the state, the youngest in the 20th century. Russell’s time as Governor was short-lived, however; the death of Senator William J. Harris vacated a Senate seat, which Russell won. 

GSESS8H9.c continued

Russell played a major role as a Senator. Serving on the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, he gained a great amount of influence on U.S. military policy. An advocate for a strong military during the 1930s, he helped the U.S. prepare to fight in World War II. He was also influential in bringing or maintaining 15 military bases in the state, along with many other research facilities, including the Centers for Disease Control, and federal funding of other projects throughout the state. This attention to the acquisition of military installations for the state had a major economic impact. 

GSESS8H9.c continued

Russell’s strong segregationist beliefs caused him to oppose many civil rights bills during his career. Historians argue that these beliefs likely prevented Russell from gaining the presidency. However, with all of Russell’s political accomplishments, he believed his most important was the creation of the National School Lunch Program. 

Multiple Select

Who was Richard B. Russell, Jr. (1897-1971)? Check all the correct answers.

• governor of Georgia and U.S Senator

• opposed many civil rights bills during his career

• graduate of the University of Georgia

• responsible in maintaining 15 military bases in Geoegia

• he helped the U.S. prepare to fight in World War II

GSESS8H9.c continued

Carl Vinson (1883-1981) is often quoted as saying “The most expensive thing in the world is a cheap Army and Navy.” In his 51 years in the U.S. House of Representatives (the longest in U.S. history), Vinson made it his mission to make certain that the U.S. spent funds on both, especially the Navy. The man is known as the “Father of the Two Ocean Navy” was born in Baldwin County, Georgia. After graduating from Mercer University School of Law and serving as an attorney, he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1908. In 1912, he lost his seat but was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The biggest challenge in his 51-year career came from Tom Watson in 1918, but for the most part, Vinson ran unopposed for much of his tenure. 

GSESS8H9.c continued

Vinson earned his nickname, the Admiral, due to his advocacy for a strong Navy during the 1920s and 1930s. Though his calls for strengthening the U.S. military were largely ignored during the isolationist period of the 1920s, as the war began to rage in both Europe and Asia, his policies became more accepted, and the nation started preparing for war. Vinson continued to be involved in military matters all the way up until his retirement from Congress in 1964. Due to his hard work for over 50 years, Vinson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and had a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier named after him. 

GSESS8H9.c continued

Vinson’s insistence on developing and maintaining a strong Army and Navy has economically impacted many communities. As the chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee (1931-1947), before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Vinson pushed through Congress two bills to expand naval aviation by building 10,000 planes, training 16,000 pilots, and establishment of 20 airbases as well as the construction of naval facilities. The economic impact on Georgia, especially coastal Georgia, during World War II, was evident.

GSESS8H9.c continued

Over 90% of the workforce on Georgia military installations were civilians. Over 20,000 jobs were brought to local communities. As chairman of the Armed Services Committee (1949-53 and 1955-56), in 1955, Vinson encouraged construction at Fort Benning in Columbus, the Marine Supply Center in Albany, and the Naval Ordnance Plant in Macon at a cost of $36,861,000. This financial impact on the local economies of these cities was important as the civilian workforce was utilized for the construction projects. Throughout his congressional career (the longest of any person serving in Congress), Carl Vinson was loyal to providing U. S. military support in Georgia and throughout the nation and world.

Multiple Select

Who was Carl Vinson (1883-1981)? Check all that apply.

• Father of the Two Ocean Navy

• graduated from Mercer University School of Law

• He encouraged construction at Fort Benning in Columbus, the Marine Supply Center in Albany, and the Naval Ordnance Plant in Macon at a cost of $36,861,000

• Carl Vinson was loyal to providing U. S. military support in Georgia and throughout the nation and world.

• the longest of any person serving in Congress

Multiple Choice

How did World War II pull the state of Georgia out of depression?

• Men like Carl Vinson and Richard Russell lobbied to get military installations in Georgia

• Shipyards in Savannah and Brunswick built ships and put people to work

• Industries like the Bell Bomber Plant in Marietta put people to work

• All of the above answers are correct

Multiple Choice

How did men like Carl Vinson and Richard Russell have an influence on Georgia’s economy?

• The state of Georgia was used to build many new military projects

• Both men worked with the government to increase military projects

• Both men worked with the government to increase military spending

• all of the above are correct