World War 2: The Pacific Theatre World History 4/25/16

Examine why each of the following battles in the Pacific Theatre are important to the United States in war with the empire of Japan. Ace the quizzes that occur periodically.

Two Wars European Theater When Japan attacked the United States in Dec. 1941, Germany (and Italy) controlled most of Europe. Pacific Theater In the Pacific, it was largely the United States challenging Japan.

The Pacific Theatre

Key Players for Japan

Emperor Hirohito

Gen. Hideki Tojo

Key Players for the USA in the Pacific

Admiral Chester Nimitz

General Douglas MacArthur

Pearl Harbor

Causes of Japanese Attack Distrust in Jap/U.S. relations dates to the 1920s – Japan upset at Versailles Treaty 1930s – – Japan invades China….US supported China – U.S. stops sending oil to Japan – Japan turns to Pacific Islands for needed resources

Reasoning for Pearl Harbor In early 1941: – President Franklin Roosevelt moved the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet of ships from San Diego, CA to Pearl Harbor. – After we cut off the oil, Japan sees the opportunity to control the Pacific Theater of the War by CRUSHING this US fleet at Pearl Harbor. – United States caught by surprise Peace talks had begun between them

Results from Pearl Harbor Japanese attack = 6 carriers, 400 planes, 5 subs They launch in 3 waves: – 1 st wave to destroy, 2 nd wave to clean up leftovers, and the 3 rd wave to prevent counter attacks by US – Aimed for carriers, battleships FIRST The 1 st of 353 planes 7:48 AM, December 7 th, 1941

Results, cont. 18 ships sunk, including 5 battleships 2,402 killed, 1470 wounded Over 350 aircraft destroyed or damaged War officially declared by President Roosevelt – “A date which will live in infamy”

Quiz 1.T/F: General Hideki Tojo ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor. 2.President __ declared it “a date which will live in infamy.” 3.The Japanese attack consisted of 3 waves. 4.Why did Japan attack the US PH? 5.Pearl Harbor is in which state? 6.The Japanese were aiming first and foremost for our ___ stationed PH.

Battle of Midway April 1942

Midway Battle Details Seen as MOST important Pacific Battle of WWII Happened only 6 months after Pearl Harbor Importance: Japan had secured numerous Pac. Islands (map) – A loss COULD eliminate the U.S. CARRIER FLEET – A win had to happen to change perception and momentum after Pearl Harbor Japan wanted to lure U.S. into a carrier trap – US code breakers intercept Japanese plans

Midway Results GREAT AMERICAN VICTORY! – 4 Japanese carriers sunk, only 1 for the United States (Yorktown) – Considered the “turning point” in Pacific for the United States….what would have happened had we lost again!??! – Permanently weakened Japanese Imperial Navy for the duration of the War

The Guadalcanal Campaign July 1942

United States/Allied Goals Midway gave Americans momentum Japanese advanced on numerous S. Pacific the beginning of WWII Taking back control of the Solomon Islands was the main goal Whoever control these islands controlled the shipping lanes between the US and Allies in Australia To control Guadalcanal: GOAL - Must control Japanese Henderson Field on the island

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Guadalcanal Battle Results Famous 1 st Marine Division takes airfield quickly – However, our Navy is whipped and LEAVES them on the island! Japanese continue to attack (at night) – 1 st Marines repel 4 relentless counterattacks The ultimate victory, however, would come at sea vs. the Japanese Imperial Navy

Guadalcanal Results, cont. Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey – Decides that “all or nothing” was the only way to defeat that Japanese – Attacks for four days continuous – Japan evacuates remaining troops on Island after that United States lost 7,500 troops.. Japan 30,000 Dispelled myth of Japanese invincibility in S. Pacific, and controlled shipping lanes

Quiz 1.Victory here allowed us to control keep shipping lines with Australia open. 2.Describe what the Japanese were trying to do in the Pacific. 3.Controlling this on the island of Guadalcanal was the main objective. 4.Victory here was a Pacific turning point, because it was only months after Pearl Harbor. 5.4 Japanese carriers were sunk at this battle.

The Battle of Iwo Jima Feb 1945

Battle Importance By beginning of 1945 = America > Japan To defeat Japanese: 1.Bomb industrial base; 2. Isolate mainland Japan; 3. Defeat Naval fleet Reason for controlling Iwo Jima – – 2 airfields on the island! United States wanted control to have base for help on air strikes on Japanese mainland.

General Kuribayashi

General Holland Smith

Battle Summary 22,000 Japanese built underground “bunkers” to defend the island Navy assaults island for more than 2 months Landing was extremely tough – Marines take heavy casualties (2,500) Long, bloody battle – “36 Days of Hell” – Island not taken til March 26 th Heavy Japanese loses/defenses showed Americans how far Japanese would go to defend their country. (only 212 left!) (A-bomb use?)

The Battle of Okinawa April 1945

General Mitsuru Ushijima

General Simon Bolivar Buckner

Battle Importance In order to complete its plan of a bombing raid on mainland Japan, the United States needed Okinawa’s 4 airfields! This was nearly Japan’s last defense before the mainland – Ushijima ordered to defend at ALL COSTS ---- DO NOT SURRENDER

Battle Summary 130k Japanese defend/fortify southern part of island; Buckner has 180k US troops – The LARGEST military assault in US History Japan relied heavily on kamikazes (193) Famous landing was nearly unopposed by Japanese Took 3 months to defeat Japanese in southern part of island – Defeat was last major one prior to dropping bombs

What ended the War in the Pacific?

Quiz 1.Describe the differences in the beach landings for the United States at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. 2.What was the main goal of the United States in attacking Iwo Jima and Okinawa? 3.Which battle was basically the last major resistance by Japan in WW2? 4.The famous picture Raising the American Flag is the major symbolism for which battle? 5.What ended the War in the Pacific w/ Japan?