British deadlock and global turning point.

1
1941

• British deadlock and global turning point.

2
The Nazi empire at its largest extent in 1942
Isolated and under siege it seems difficult to
imagine a British victory without the support of
major allies.
3
British deadlock

• Campaigns in Norway, France, North Africa and
  Greece had all ended in either humiliating
  retreat or indecisive stalemate. The British war
  effort had hit a brick wall.
• British shipping was under constant German
  submarine attack.
• British air raids on German targets were
  inaccurate, limited, costly in aircraft and crews
  and largely ineffective.
• The war had reached deadlock on every front
  although Britain had survived the crucible of
  May-September 1940.

4
US backing

• In May 1941 President Roosevelt stepped up
  support for GB.
• Cash and carry arms sales were replaced by a
  wide-ranging credit agreement known as the Lend
  Lease Act.
• Great Britain (and later the USSR) were able to
  purchase unlimited quantities of arms, oil, food,
  machinery and raw materials on credit for the
  DURATION of the conflict. In effect an open-ended
  blank cheque.
• US warships begin convoy escort duties as far as
  Newfoundland, violating American neutrality and
  provoking German U-boat attacks on American
  shipping

5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
We have only to kick in the door and the whole
rotten edifice will collapse. Adolf Hitler, May
1941
8
(No Transcript)
9
Operation Barbarossa

• On June 22nd 1941 (after a six week delay)
  Hitler launched the biggest land battle in
  history. His aim was a repeat of his stunning
  1940 victory over France. He expected a short war
  of annihilation over soviet forces he considered
  inferior.
• Discussion point
• Was it German incompetence or Soviet strength
  which prevented a German blitzkrieg victory
  over the USSR as Hitler had anticipated ?

10
If Hitler invaded hell I would make a pact with
the devil.
11
Precious shipping was diverted to bring aid to
the USSR. Heavy losses were inflicted on these
Arctic convoys to Murmansk. Churchill felt the
price was justified if it kept Russia in the war
and showed Britains support for their unexpected
new ally.
12
Heavy German U - boat activity
13
Murmansk in the Arctic circle
14
(No Transcript)
15
Still officially neutral, President Roosevelt
signed a joint declaration with Churchill stating
a common commitment to democratic values and
world peace. The USA was drifting inexorably to
war with Germany.
16
As the Soviet troops began their counter
offensive at Moscow
17
The Japanese attacked the US Pacific Fleet at
Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941.
18
So we have won after all. Churchills reaction
to news of the attack on Pearl Harbour
19
Tasks

• Read handout 1
• How vital to Britains survival was US assistance
  between 1940-41 ?
• Read handout 2
• Summarise the main reasons for US involvement in
  World War Two.
• To what extent was American entry the
  turning-point of the war, especially for Britain ?

20
Roosevelt explains Lend-Lease to the public in a
radio broadcast
If your neighbours house was on fire doesnt it
make sense to lend them your garden hose?
21
US help to Britain

• After Dunkirk the British went to the USA with a
  long shopping list of requirements from boots,
  anti-tank guns, trucks and rifles.
• The destroyers for bases deal gave Britain vital
  naval ships to fight the German U boats in the
  North Atlantic and protect convoys coming from
  North America.
• Lend-Lease was very timely for Britain as her
  gold and dollar reserves had almost run out by
  Mid 1941