World War II The Pacific Theater

Japan’s Problem Industrial nation small in land area Lack of raw materials to fuel industry Similar to Britain Britain solved this problem by obtaining an empire

Japan’s Gamble Taking these territories Meant war with these nations

When push comes to shove…. Japan was convinced the Western Powers (Europe and the United States) would not be willing to sacrifice for maintaining Asian Empires.

Phase 1 Conquest of China

Phase 2 Take on the Western Powers When people think of December 7, 1941, they think of Pearl Harbor. But on the same day, the Japanese attacked the Philippines, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. The goal was to deliver a decisive blow.

The Western Powers were preoccupied There was a war going on in Europe and Britain was trying to survive! The United States viewed Hitler as the most dangerous threat.

A miraculous victory! June 4, 1942

Island Hopping American Strategy Invade an island and defeat the Japanese Set up an air strip and bomb the next island Then invade it Work your way across the Pacific and liberate the Philippines then destroy Japan

The Japanese fight to the death!

American Decision Drop the bomb or invade An invasion of Japan would result in the deaths of 500,000 Americans and 1,000,000 Japanese. Or, drop the Atomic bomb and kill 100,000 Japanese civilians. Or drop two of them!!! Japanese samurai fight to the death!!!

The world will never be the same!