Japan Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 War begins between Japan & China Japan drops out of the League of Nations becomes a member of the Axis powers

The U.S. & Japan The only obstacle to Japan’s Pacific empire is the US. U.S. determined to keep Japan from taking over China Japan threatened Philippines islands, Singapore, Malaya, & Indonesia. U.S. banned trade with Japan

The Date that will live in infamy Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7, 1941 at 7:55 a.m. 18 ships sunk, 170 planes destroyed, over 2,400 Americans killed, 1,200 wounded Japan also attacked Guam, Wake, Midway, & the Philippines

Pearl Harbor: 2D map Pearl Harbor: 3D map

“Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan”. . . “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory” President Franklin Roosevelt December 8, 1941                                                                                                                                                  

The U.S. Enters the War “A Day that will Live In Infamy” according to President Roosevelt U.S. declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941. On December 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.

U.S. Pacific Strategy: Island Hopping: Defensive until Germany is defeated Island Hopping: Taking strategically located islands one at a time, using each as a base to attack the next.

Island Hopping The U.S. would invade selected islands and use them as bases to attack others. Japan started winning several victories after Pearl Harbor ex. Philippines & Coral Sea. The battle of Midway was turning pt of Pacific front (turns the tide).

American Propaganda

Japanese Propaganda

Philippines - January 1942 Invasion following Pearl Harbor General MacArthur forced to flee to Australia. Over 11,000 U.S. soldiers captured & forced on the Baatan Death March

Battle of Coral Sea - May 1942 First aircraft carrier battle (planes vs. ships) Stops Japanese advancement to Australia

Battle of Midway - June 1942 2nd aircraft carrier battle U.S. sinks 4 aircraft carriers; 1 Japanese ship turning point in the Pacific stops threat to Hawaii (retribution for Pearl Harbor)

USS Yorktown at the Battle of Midway

Guadalcanal - August 1942 first amphibious landing in Pacific first U.S. offensive; first land lost by Japan gains important islands for strategic bombing U.S. wins, but has high casualties

Saipan - June 1944 puts B-29’s in striking range of Japan long battle with high casualties

Leyte Gulf - October 1944 triggered by retaking of Philippines marks the end of Japan’s challenge to U.S. naval superiority -both sides suffered heavy casualties

Iwo Jima - February 1945 over 5,000 Americans killed marked the beginning of the end

Raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima

Okinawa- April 1945 last U.S. amphibious assault intended to be a base for invasion of Japan The bloodiest land battle of the war – The last island hold before possibly invading mainland Japan

USS Lexington, Ranger, Yorktown,& Enterprise - Enterprise only aircraft carrier that survived from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Atomic Bomb The US. regained Philippines and invaded Iwo Jima and Okinawa An attempt for US. to continue would mean over a year of fighting and more casualties. dropped A-Bomb on Hiroshima August 6, 1945 3 days later dropped bomb on Nagasaki

Japan Surrenders August 14, 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced, “I cannot bear to see my innocent people suffer any longer.” WWII was over

Japanese delegation at the surrender on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay

MacArthur signs the treaty to end WWII.