World War II The Pacific Theater

The Pacific Theater Setting the Stage: Aggression in Asia 1931: Japan invaded Manchuria (NE province in China rich in resources) 1937: Japan invades China, who was experiencing a Civil War Japan needed raw materials, especially oil to be #1 in Asia

The Pacific Theater 2. Attack at Pearl Harbor Japan had hoped to cripple the US Pacific Fleet Several carriers were out at sea when Japan attacked on Dec 7, 1941 Japan also attacked Guam, Wake Island, MIdway Islands, and the Philippine ISlands on the same day Japan awakens a sleeping giant

The European Theater 1941: U.S. attempted to stop Japan’s invasion of China (in Civil War) Sent ultimatum (warning) Issued a scrap metal and oil embargo

The European Theater U.S. began a full trade embargo against Japan By Aug. 1941: Indo-China fell to Japan U.S. began a full trade embargo against Japan Japan responded by: Sending a negotiator to Washington D.C. Preparing for an attack on the U.S. (decoded message)

Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor

The European Theater December 7th, 1941: Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor U.S. Pacific Fleet was based at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii Attack was meant to cripple U.S. fleet so couldn’t interfere with Japan U.S. declared war on Japan the next day “…Date that will live in Infamy…” Germany & Italy declared war on the U.S. on Dec 8, 1941 (Tripartite Pact) The U.S. was officially in the war! (Isolationism was over)

U.S.S. Arizona

U.S.S. Arizona Today

Fighting in the Pacific was difficult Island Hopping The Supreme Allied Commander for the Pacific Theater was Gen. MacArthur US adopts Island Hopping or Leap Frog strategy moving from island to island Fighting in the Pacific was difficult 100 degree heat, humidity, jungle rot, diseases Many islands Japanese :”Death before dishonor” Kamikazi attacks

Battle of the Coral Sea Both sides suffered equally Considered a victory for the Allies because the battle stopped the Japanese advance south.

The Pacific Theater Key Victories for Allies Battle of Midway Japanese hoped to use Midway as a base to neutralize Pearl Harbor and gain control of the Pacific Balance of power in the Pacific shifts to the Allies Major turning point in Pacific Theater

The Pacific Theater Battle of Guadalcanal i. The Japanese advance was stopped  Momentum shifted to the US

The Pacific Theater Possible options for finishing off the Japanese Invasion of Japan, could cost over 1,000,000 Allied soldiers Use of the Atomic Bomb