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-Americans blew through German lines
-U.S. tanks entered Normandy
-French civilians were freed and celebrated the victory -
-The Battle of the Bulge was Hitlers final attempt at an offensive against the Allies
-General Patton was sent to combat this, and he won the bloody battle
-Germans suffered heavy losses from this battle, with 100,000 casualties and overall being left too weak to prevent the Ally advance. -
-60,000 marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, and were met with its difficult terrain of deep ash.
-The Japanese were also ready for them and attacked with artillery.
-Overall the battle was difficult, and within the marines that attacked and died, uncommon amounts of valor was said to be a common trait. -
-After the Battle of the Bulge Germany was very weak and they were driven back by the Soviets.
-American troops were also closing in, having just reached the Rhine River.
-On April 30th Hitler committed suicide in a bunker, and a week later, May 7th, Germany accepted terms for an unconditional surrender, and the next day was proclaimed V-E Day, standing for Victory in Europe -
-While on vacation Roosevelt had a stroke and died.
-Vice president Truman became president during an incredibly tough time to be in office.
-Truman did his best to resume where Roosevelt left off and make decisions in the war. -
-General Curtis LeMay authorized using napalm in bombs so that they could destroy their targets more consistently
-The was controversial since it hurt a lot more innocent people than normal bombing would, but LeMay could not come up with an alternative.
-By the end of June 1945 Japan's main industrial cities had been firebombed. -
-Even after the firebombing Japan still did not show signs of wanting to surrender at all.
-American higher-ups began to believe the only way to get Japan to surrender was by invasion.
-After more than a month of fighting in Okinawa they were captured on June 22, 1945 -
-The emperor of Japan, Hirohito, urged his government to find an end to the war after Okinawa was taken.
-America argued for an unconditional surrender, but the Japanese wanted the single condition of keeping Hirohito in power, which the Americans did not want.
-Truman held off on agreeing to this, since he knew of the atomic bomb being developed, and hoped to be able to use it to cause unconditional surrender. -
-Starting in 1941, a committee was designated to research the making of a nuclear weapon.
-The first nuclear reactor came from the project in 1942
-The first bomb was tested on July 16, 1945. -
-There was a fair amount of debate on whether to actually use, and how to use, the atomic bombs on Japan.
-Truman did not doubt that the bomb was going to be used, as he regarded it as a military weapon.
-Others were against the use because of all the innocent people who would become casualties if it was used.
-On August 6, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan, and three days later, another one was dropped. Hirohito ordered surrender right after due to the incredible destruction. -
-On August 15, 1945 Japan surrendered from the war, and it was called V-J Day.
-Japanese and German leaders were put on trial by the allies, and many got harsh consequences.
-Hirohito, however was not put on trial in fear of the Japanese people starting an uprising.