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Published byPenelope Harrell Modified over 8 years ago
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Characteristics of the Pacific War Soldiers will be fighting in tough environmental conditions – Intense heat – Heavy rain – Mud & Sand
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Battles involve large amphibious assaults on islands – Island Hopping Campaign
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Japanese will initially embrace offensive maneuvers defense-in- depth will come later
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The Japanese do not believe in surrender – Bushido Code
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The Japanese will use brutal tactics to achieve goals and intimidate the enemy – Civilian Deaths – Mutilations/torture – Banzai attacks
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Many Americans will reciprocate with equal brutality as the war drags on
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Sealing the Deal Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theater
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– For 74 days in the fall of 1944, US bombers and warships launched more than 7,000 tons of bombs and 20,000 shells on the island
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– By February, marines invaded the beaches, but every yard gained took time and men
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– It took a month to root out the 25,000 Japanese defending the island, and barely 200 would be taken alive
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– ¼ of American marines died on the island, and more Medals of Honor came from this battle than any other in the entire war
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Battle for Okinawa One month after Iwo Jima, American and British troops invaded the island of Okinawa
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2,000 kamikaze attacks against 1,300 warships
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Kamikaze attacks would… – Kill 5,000 US sailors and wound another 4,800 – Sink 13 destroyers – Heavily damage 13 carriers, 10 battleships, 5 cruisers – Lightly damage 50 destroyers
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100,000 Japanese defenders vs. 180,000 Allied troops…
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After 3 months of fighting, only 7,200 Japanese soldiers were still alive and over 100,000 civilians had been killed…
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…and now nothing stood in the way between the Allies and Japanese homeland
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Manhattan Project Begun 1941 by FDR Creation of atomic weapons Involved facilities across the United States – Los Alamos, New Mexico – 120,000 people
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Heavily top-secret – Secluded groups – Pseudonyms – Limited communication with outside world – Military security
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Trinity Test (Alamogordo, NM) – July 1945 – 20,000 tons TNT – 1-mile radius destroyed – Public not notified – Sand into glass – Windows broken 100 miles away
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Little Boy (uranium) – 9,700 lbs – 10 ft x 28 in. – 15,000 tons TNT Fat Man (plutonium) – 10,800 lbs – 10.8 ft x 60 in. – 21,000 tons TNT 3 rd plutonium
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7 Ways to End the War 1. Install a naval blockade of Japan
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– ADVANTAGES: Little loss of life Naval capability possible
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– DISADVANTAGE: Involves a lot of ships, fuel, and 24/7 monitoring It may not achieve the desired result
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2. Continue conventional bombing:
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– ADVANTAGES: No loss of life Big hit to Japanese morale
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DISADVANTAGES – Could last a long time -- Hurts morale of pilots – cost many resources
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3. Soften the Rules of Surrender
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– ADVANTAGES: Could avoid US occupation of the mainland Japan wants a surrender anyway (conditional)
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DISADVANTAGES: – It will be hard making peace with fanatical military leaders – We already said we wouldn’t do conditional surrender – They don’t “deserve” it – Could increase will of Japanese government to undermine Americans
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4. Wait for Soviet Union to invade Japan
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ADVANTAGES: – Less loss of life for Americans – More losses for Soviet Union
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DISADVANTAGES: – It would be conducted on Soviet terms – It will allow Stalin to have a say in negotiations
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5. Test the new-found weapon (atomic bomb) on a nearby island
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ADVANTAGES: – No loss of human life – It is a warning – It should intimidate Japan
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DISADVANTAGES: – It could backfire – It may give Japan time to prepare – Few intact cities – Possible Japanese interception
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6. Invade Mainland Japan
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ADVANTAGES: – Will definitely stop Japanese aggression
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DISADVANTAGES: – Japanese military still wants to fight – Estimated 63,000-290,000 US casualties expected – Japan still has 2 million soldiers and equipment
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7. Drop the Atomic Bomb on the mainland of Japan
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ADVANTAGES: – Quick end – Will save US lives
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DISADVANTAGES: – Against moral grounds – Some military personnel are against its use
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