At this point, Germany, Italy and Japan still have the upper hand!

And then Japan ATTACKS the American navy fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii! - December 7, “a date which will live in infamy” – President Roosevelt

Japan Attacks (Ch. 31, Sec. 2) The Pacific War began on December 7 th, 1941 with the attack on Pearl Harbor in the United States' territory of Hawaii by the Empire of Japan. The Japanese gambled that the United States would surrender and let them have total control of the Pacific Ocean. They were wrong!

More than 2,400 people killed & 19 American ships damaged or destroyed!

Roosevelt secured a near-unanimous declaration of war from Congress against Japan on December 8 th, “A date which will live in infamy…” > > “infamy” = evil fame or reputation; having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious.

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7, 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. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced (begun) bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

FDR’s speech to Congress asking to declare war on Japan, Dec. 8, 1941

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. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941 a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

On Japan’s side…  Even though they were ALL the “Axis Powers” Germany and Italy for the most part stayed out of the Pacific.  Only a small naval force (mainly armed merchantmen and naval submarines) operated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Co-Prosperity Sphere (pg. 782)

In 1942, MacArthur was appointed Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area. He fought most of the major battles against Japan. “Setting the Scene”: pg. 787 General Douglas MacArthur ( ) General Douglas MacArthur ( )

Japanese Victories Japan had been highly successful in swiftly securing its initial war goals, including the conquest of: The Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) Thailand Guam Hong Kong Borneo Singapore Philippines Burma And other Pacific islands!

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto Isoroku Yamamoto (1884 – 1943) Commander-in-chief of the combined Japanese fleet during World War II He was responsible for major battles such as Pearl Harbor and Midway. He died when his aircraft was shot down during an ambush by American fighter planes. His death was a major blow to Japanese military morale.

Kamikaze Fighters The Kamikaze ("divine wind") pilots flew suicide attack planes from the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels designed to destroy as many warships as possible. Kamikaze pilots would attempt to crash their planes into enemy ships with explosives, bombs, torpedoes and full fuel tanks.

Allied Counter-Offensive: “Island-Hopping” The Americans took back many Japanese held islands on their way to the mainland of Japan. Their goal was to recapture some Japanese- held islands while bypassing others.

Battle of Midway June 4-6, 1942 The Battle of Midway Island was the most important naval battle of the Pacific campaign. It was fought entirely by air! The Japanese wanted to eliminate the United States from the war, yet the U.S. was moving closer toward Japan itself. After this battle, Japan was unable to launch another offensive attack!

Iwo Jima February 19- March 26, 1945 Iwo Jima February 19- March 26, 1945 The United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S. invasion, resulted in some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific campaign of World War II. The battle was the first American attack on the Japanese home islands.

Iwo Jima: of the 70,000 marines that hit the beach, 6,281 never left alive and a further 19,217 were wounded. Feb. 23, 1945: “Raising the American Flag”

What Do We Do Now? The U.S. now had the upper-hand against Japan! But …they had been fighting for four years now. They were tired, morale was low, and money was running out. The U.S. had lost hundreds of thousands of men in both the Pacific and the European wars. Many people wanted out of the war with Japan as soon as possible.