America Enters WWII

What disputes did U.S. have with Japan before WWII? With GB, France and the rest of Europe distracted by Hitler and Mussolini, Japan was able to expand its empire into European colonies in Asia & Pacific When Japan joined the Axis in September 1940, FDR prohibited the sale of steel and scrap iron to all countries except Britain

FDR froze all Japanese assets in the U. S FDR froze all Japanese assets in the U.S. and cut oil to Japan when they occupied French Indochina (Vietnam) in July 1941 Japan depended on oil for its expansion and with U.S. oil embargo, they would need to occupy oil reserves in Dutch Each Indies

What Action sparked U.S. entry into WWII? Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Sunday, December 7, 1941 Attack lasted less than two hours 2,400 Americans killed 1,200 wounded 20 warships sunk 150 airplanes destroyed

Japanese hoped that the destruction of the American fleet in the Pacific would give time for expansion and preparations for counter attack December 5, 1941: FDR requests Congress for a declaration of war on Japan December 8, 1941: Congress declares war on Japan December 11, 1941: Germany & Italy declare war on U.S.

How Was the War In the Pacific Different? The war in the Pacific against Japan was fought largely by the U.S. alone  war in Europe including GB, France, Germany, and USSR The war in the Pacific was a naval war whereas the was in Europe was a land war

How Did Japanese fare right after Pearl Harbor? Japan took control of most of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Pacific Ocean By 1942 Japan controlled: Korea, eastern China, the Philippines, British Burma, French Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), and most Pacific islands west of Midway Forced General Douglas MacArthur’s troops out of the Philippines  Bataan Death March

What were the turning points of the war in the Pacific? Spring 1942: The Battle of Coral Sea (May 7-8) U.S. aircraft carriers stopped Japanese invasion on Australia Kept Australia in as an Ally to the U.S. The Battle of Midway (June 4-7) The U.S. ability to intercept and decode Japanese messages enabled U.S. forces to destroy 4 Japanese carriers and 300 planes