1. World War II
The America War

2. Theaters
For The U.S., World War II happens in two places at the same time
Referred to as theaters or fronts
Pacific Front
European Front
Pacific front
Air and naval battles with the Japanese
Air and ground battles with the Germans

3. Pacific Front

4. The Japanese Began as a conflict between Japan and China
China had no strong central government
Japan was rapidly modernizing and expanding
Invaded and conquered Manchuria, a province in China
War between the two nations began in 1937, when Chinese General Chiang Kai-shek began to resist Japanese imperialism
This conflict became part of the larger Pacific War in World War II

5. Japan and the League of Nations
Japan’s imperialism had two goals:
To keep the Chinese from attacking them
To gain control of much needed natural resources for a growing nation
Japan was roundly condemned for their actions against the Chinese
Japan was expelled from the League of Nations.

6. Japan and the West
In addition to the Chinese, the Japanese also had other concerns
Soviet Union
United States
The Soviets were concerned about Japanese imperialism in Asia
The United States were concerned about Japan’s aggression against U.S. allies and territories in the Pacific

7. Japan and the West Japan was facing increasing pressure from the west
They had a choice between withdrawing from their conquered territories (and the shame that would accompany the withdrawal), or to fight
They chose the latter, and began to plan their attack

8. Japan attacks
One December 7th, 1941, Japan launched attacks against its enemies
United States at Pearl Harbor and Guam
Great Britain in Hong Kong Indochina
Thailand and the Philippines
Japan hoped to kick the westerners out and begin defensive campaign to hold on to their newly conquered territories

9. Empire of Japan Soviet Union Island of Japan Manchuria Vietnam
Australia

10. Guam Bombed and invaded after Pearl Harbor Small U.S. forces
United States surrendered Guam to the Japanese after a short battle

11. War in the Pacific Japans were quite successful early on
Captured Singapore, Burma, East Indies, most of the Philippines
Conquered Bali and Timor
Defeated resistance at every turn
Bombed parts of Australia
The United States was scrambling to get its forces better prepared for combat
Forced to retreat in the Philippines and in Guam
Communications and supply lines were destroyed by the Japanese

12. Bataan Death March Part of the Philippines conflict
The marching of thousands of prisoners of war, including over 1000 Americans, from Bataan to war prisoners camps
Included many atrocities:
Beheadings
Disembowelments
Casual shootings
Throat slitting
Starvation
Beating
Considered a Japanese war crime
Dead soldiers on the Bataan death march

13. General Douglas MacArthur
In charge of the Armies in the Philippines
Major player in the Pacific Theater
“I have left Bataan, and I will return to Bataan!”
He would return to the Philippines and kick the Japanese out, fulfilling his enraged promise
Became an American War hero, and accepted the surrender of Japan in 1945
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur

14. Battle of The Coral Sea
Tactical victory for the Japanese, but a strategic victory for the Allies
First naval battle fought where the ships involved never saw or fired on each other
Aircraft carriers and planes
The U.S.S Yorktown launched a surprise attack on Japan’s ships invading parts of Southeast Asia

15. Battle of the Coral Sea
Japanese bombers attacked and badly damaged several U.S. carriers
U.S.S Yorktown
U.S.S. Lexington
Several ships of the Japanese were damaged as well
Japanese damages made the Battle of Midway more even

16. The Lexington

17. Lexington damaged

18. U.S.S Yorktown

19. The Yorktown damaged