Discussion Discussion 

Which two countries listed in the Which two countries listed in the chart had the most civilian chart had the most civilian casualties of the war, and which casualties of the war, and which two had the least?two had the least?

most: the Soviet Union and China; most: the Soviet Union and China; least: Belgium and the United least: Belgium and the United KingdomKingdom

Bombing of Cities Targets Bombing of Cities Targets Military and CiviliansMilitary and Civilians

Development of long-range bombers:Development of long-range bombers: After World War I, many leaders  After World War I, many leaders believed that bombing civilian populations would break a country's morale believed that bombing civilian populations would break a country's morale and force governments to make peace. These leaders therefore had their and force governments to make peace. These leaders therefore had their militaries develop longrange bombers.militaries develop longrange bombers.

Britain under the blitz:Britain under the blitz: The British took the first heavy blows as the  The British took the first heavy blows as the Germans bombed London nightly, beginning in late 1940. The bombing Germans bombed London nightly, beginning in late 1940. The bombing then spread to other British cities. Yet British morale remained high. The then spread to other British cities. Yet British morale remained high. The British moved millions of children to the countryside and even to other British moved millions of children to the countryside and even to other countries to protect them during the German blitz.countries to protect them during the German blitz.

Effects of Allied bombing of Germany:Effects of Allied bombing of Germany: Beginning in 1942, the British  Beginning in 1942, the British conducted major bombing raids on German cities, including the ferocious conducted major bombing raids on German cities, including the ferocious bombing of Dresden. Despite huge losses, the Germans fought on, actually bombing of Dresden. Despite huge losses, the Germans fought on, actually increasing wartime production in spite of the bombing.increasing wartime production in spite of the bombing.

U.S. air raids on Japan:U.S. air raids on Japan: Toward the end of the war, Japan was vulnerable  Toward the end of the war, Japan was vulnerable to air raids due to losses to its air force. By 1945, many of Japan's homes to air raids due to losses to its air force. By 1945, many of Japan's homes and industries had been destroyed. The use of atomic bombs in August and industries had been destroyed. The use of atomic bombs in August 1945 resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.1945 resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.

Discussion Discussion 

What was the intended effect of What was the intended effect of the bombing of German cities, the bombing of German cities, and how effective was it?and how effective was it?

to break civilian morale and bring to break civilian morale and bring British victory; it was not very British victory; it was not very effective at breaking morale, even effective at breaking morale, even though many people were killed and though many people were killed and property was destroyed.property was destroyed.

Background Background  The first air raid of the war to hit Tokyo was led The first air raid of the war to hit Tokyo was led

by the American lieutenant colonel James H. by the American lieutenant colonel James H. Doolittle (1896–1993) four months after the Doolittle (1896–1993) four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Doolittle Raid, as it attack on Pearl Harbor. The Doolittle Raid, as it has become known, took off from the deck of the has become known, took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier aircraft carrier HornetHornet and struck Tokyo and  and struck Tokyo and Nagoya. The raid did little damage, but it boosted Nagoya. The raid did little damage, but it boosted American morale and embarrassed the Japanese. American morale and embarrassed the Japanese. It also convinced Japanese leaders to try to It also convinced Japanese leaders to try to eliminate American aircraft carriers, a decision eliminate American aircraft carriers, a decision that led to Japan's attack—and defeat—at Midway that led to Japan's attack—and defeat—at Midway six weeks later. Doolittle received the six weeks later. Doolittle received the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his actions. Presidential Medal of Freedom for his actions.

Background Background  The B-29 Superfortress was the most The B-29 Superfortress was the most

formidable bombing aircraft of World War formidable bombing aircraft of World War II. Along with increased range and payload II. Along with increased range and payload capacity, it included features such as capacity, it included features such as remote-controlled guns and a pressurized remote-controlled guns and a pressurized cabin. The Superfortress was used mainly cabin. The Superfortress was used mainly in the Pacific theater during World War II. in the Pacific theater during World War II. As many as 1,000 Superfortresses at a As many as 1,000 Superfortresses at a time bombed Tokyo, destroying much of time bombed Tokyo, destroying much of the city. The planes also were used to the city. The planes also were used to carry the atomic bombs that destroyed the carry the atomic bombs that destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Discussion Discussion 

Why is World War II considered Why is World War II considered to be a better example of a total to be a better example of a total war than World War I?war than World War I?

Fighting was much more widespread, Fighting was much more widespread, economic mobilization was more economic mobilization was more extensive, and the number of extensive, and the number of civilians killed was far higher.civilians killed was far higher.