Yalta Conference 4 main things were agreed to at the Yalta Conference: which was held at the Livadia Palace, built for Czar Nicholas II, main things were agreed to at the Yalta Conference: which was held at the Livadia Palace, built for Czar Nicholas II, ) Germany would be divided into 4 zones which each main Allied power, France, U.S., England, Russia, overseeing a zone. (The city of Berlin would be divided in a similar way.) Problem? Berlin was in Russia’s zone. 1) Germany would be divided into 4 zones which each main Allied power, France, U.S., England, Russia, overseeing a zone. (The city of Berlin would be divided in a similar way.) Problem? Berlin was in Russia’s zone. 2) Stalin agreed to allow open, democratic elections in all countries Russia had liberated from Germany. 2) Stalin agreed to allow open, democratic elections in all countries Russia had liberated from Germany.

Yalta Conference  3) Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan in exchange for control of the Kurile Islands and Outer Mongolia.  4) The borders and the politics of Poland were agreed to, on paper. (Russia got some of the land in eastern Poland while Poland was allowed to extend its western boundary into Germany.)

War in the Pacific  Because of the enormity of Pearl Harbor, no one noticed that on the same day, Dec. 7, Japan launched an attack on the U.S. Air Force Base of Clark Field in the Philippines.  The U.S. commander was Douglas MacArthur.  ½ of our planes were destroyed there.  Japan followed with an invasion a few days later.  After 4 months, Roosevelt ordered MacArthur to retreat to Australia, leaving behind thousands of U.S. soldiers.  On his hurried departure, Mac. vowed “I shall return.”

Bataan Death March The remaining Americans and Filipinos fought for another month before 76,000 surrendered April, The remaining Americans and Filipinos fought for another month before 76,000 surrendered April, Japan divided them into groups of 500-1,000 and marched them 60 miles inland to a railroad where they were sent to prison camps for the remainder of the war. Japan divided them into groups of 500-1,000 and marched them 60 miles inland to a railroad where they were sent to prison camps for the remainder of the war. This horrible 12 day journey was known as the Bataan Death March because over 10,000 people died from it from starvation, illness, or executions. This horrible 12 day journey was known as the Bataan Death March because over 10,000 people died from it from starvation, illness, or executions.

Pacific Campaign Japan had been quickly advancing through the Pacific while we were recovering from Pearl Harbor & the Philippines. But in May, 1942, the Battle of Coral Sea took place northeast of Australia. This was the first naval battle where the ships involved never even saw each other. The Battle was fought totally by planes that launched from aircraft carriers.

Battle of Coral Sea At the Battle of Coral Sea, Both the Japanese and the Americans claimed victory. How???At the Battle of Coral Sea, Both the Japanese and the Americans claimed victory. How??? The Japanese claimed victory because the U.S. lost slightly more in ships and aircraft than we did. USS Lexington was lost and the Yorktown was badly damagedThe Japanese claimed victory because the U.S. lost slightly more in ships and aircraft than we did. USS Lexington was lost and the Yorktown was badly damaged We claimed victory because this is where the Japanese advance in the South Pacific finally was stopped.We claimed victory because this is where the Japanese advance in the South Pacific finally was stopped. It also prevented them from getting close enough to launch an attack against Australia.It also prevented them from getting close enough to launch an attack against Australia.

Battle of Midway Early June, 1942, in battles fought similarly to Coral Sea, Admiral Chester Nimitz soundly defeated the Japanese, sinking 4 aircraft carriers, one of which contained their explosives above deck. It had 250 planes on board, losing them all. This battle ended Japanese advancement in the Pacific.

Battle of Guadalcanal The target of the U.S. was the Solomon Islands, late in At the Battle of Guadalcanal, the U.S. had about 11,000 troops against 2,200 Japanese, but they were fighting a new war, jungle guerrilla warfare. After months of fighting and heavy casualties, one morning, the Japanese were just gone.

Island Hopping From this point on, the U.S. began the practice of Island Hopping. Gen. MacArthur would advance from the south from Australia, while Admiral Nimitz would advance from the east after Midway Plan: to continue to advance close enough to Japan to allow us to launch an air raid at the mainland and be able to return to the ships, about 400 miles from Japan.

Return to the Philippines Roosevelt had ordered MacArthur to bypass the Philippines but MacArthur was adamant that he keep his promise to return to the Philippines & Roose. gave in. Oct. 1944, the U.S. invaded with 160,000 men. With many reporters and cameramen, Mac. Finally was allowed to go ashore & proclaim “I have returned”.

Battle of Leyte Gulf  At this time, the biggest naval battle in history took place, the Battle of Leyte Gulf.  280 war ships were involved.  This was also the time when Japan started the practice of using Kamikaze Pilots, meaning “Divine Wind”. These were the suicide pilots.  The Japanese were badly defeated, losing at least 80,000 men.  Finally in June, 1945, when Manila, the capitol, fell, Japan surrendered.

Iwo Jima Nov. 1944, 700 miles from Japan, we began over 2 months of steady bombing before finally storming the beaches of Iwo Jima. After 1 month of heavy fighting, we secured the island, but we lost 25,000 men. This is the sight of the famous Marine Memorial on Mount Surabachi based on the picture taken by Joe Rosenthal.

Battle of Okinawa June, 1945, we attacked Okinawa, only 350 miles from mainland Japan, close enough to launch an air raid. June, 1945, we attacked Okinawa, only 350 miles from mainland Japan, close enough to launch an air raid. The results were very similar to Iwo Jima. The results were very similar to Iwo Jima. 180,000 marines landed, with about 50,000 deaths. 180,000 marines landed, with about 50,000 deaths.

Manhattan Project Back in 1939, Albert Einstein, the great physicist who fled Germany during the rise of Hitler, revealed to Roosevelt the possibility of building a huge explosion by causing a chain reaction by splitting uranium atoms & that Germany was possibly researching the same. Back in 1939, Albert Einstein, the great physicist who fled Germany during the rise of Hitler, revealed to Roosevelt the possibility of building a huge explosion by causing a chain reaction by splitting uranium atoms & that Germany was possibly researching the same. We began a top secret project called the Manhattan Project. We began a top secret project called the Manhattan Project. The scientist in charge was Dr. Robert Oppenheimer. The scientist in charge was Dr. Robert Oppenheimer. Our first test bomb, Trinity was on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico. Our first test bomb, Trinity was on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico.

Atomic Bombs Should we continue on our present path until we can attack mainland Japan, or should we drop the bomb? Should we continue on our present path until we can attack mainland Japan, or should we drop the bomb? Whose decision was it?? Whose decision was it?? Harry Truman’s, because on April, 1945, Roosevelt dies. Harry Truman’s, because on April, 1945, Roosevelt dies. August 6, 1945, The Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb, “the Little Boy”, on Hiroshima. 140,000 died immediately. August 6, 1945, The Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb, “the Little Boy”, on Hiroshima. 140,000 died immediately.

Nagasaki 3 days later, the 2 nd bomb was dropped on Nagasaki with very similar results. On August 14, Emperor Hirohito orders a surrender. August 15, the day of the surrender, is celebrated as V-J Day. The official surrender is signed aboard the USS Missouri on Sept. 2, 1945.