The Pacific Theater

Since their victory in 1905 against Russia, Japan desired more territory. In 1931, the Japanese invade into China and Southeast Asia. .

1937 Japanese forces attack the city of Nanjing (Nanking)- 300,000 people were killed, 20,000 women were raped.

July 1940 As a protest against increased invasions into China, the United States places an embargo against Japan, on oil, steel and manufactured products which angers the Nationalist Government.

1941 July: Japanese forces invade French Indochina (Vietnam) November 27 1941: U.S. pacific commanders warned of possible attack

December 7, 1941 Japanese Air Force attack US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor Hawaii, and attack the Philippines the same day.

December 8, 1941 United States officially declares war on both Japan and Germany.

The U. S. would use the Pearl Harbor. Bombing as a Propaganda Source The U.S. would use the Pearl Harbor Bombing as a Propaganda Source throughout the war.

For the next several months the Japanese military cannot be stopped For the next several months the Japanese military cannot be stopped. . . . Under the command of General Tojo, the Japanese attacked the following targets

General Tojo

May 1942: The Battle of the Coral Sea The Battle of the Coral Sea: largest all air battle of the war, huge losses for American airmen.

June 1942: The Battle of Midway Turning Point in the War: Major Victory for US American Intelligence broke Japanese military codes, planned sneak attack against Japanese battle plan of Midway island. In Japanese code: Midway island was Island X

July-November 1942: Battle of Guadacanal First Offensive Battle for the US against Japan.

The Battle of Iwo Jima: one of the fiercest The Battle of Iwo Jima: one of the fiercest battles between the US and Japan

1942-1945 After their initial successes American forces started their strategy of “island-hopping”: attacking each Japanese territory island by island. Fighting was intense and heavy on both sides. The Americans were lead by General Douglas McArthur- Supreme Commander of the Pacific Theater One common tactic of the Japanese was the Kamakazi (divine wind): flying suicide missions.

1945 March ‑‑ Tokyo Air Raid : Bombing runs over Tokyo: These attacks on the mainland were part of the American effort to force Japan toward a surrender agreement. July: At the Potsdam Conference, Stalin agrees to enter the war against Japan in August.

President Truman learns about the A-bomb at the conference

To save American lives, President Truman orders the use of the A-bomb on Japan. August 6 1945: The bombing of Hiroshima August 9 1945: The bombing of Nagasaki

September 2: Japan officially surrenders Two important points of Japan’s surrender 1. The Emperor openly announces he was not a living god, shocking loyal followers 2. Japan was not, and still is not allowed to have any military forces.