1. Lesson 4 A War on Two Fronts
World War II ( )
Lesson 4 A War on Two Fronts

2. America = Arsenal of Democracy Dwight Eisenhower
Allied Strategy
The attack on Pearl Harbor brought America into World War II on the Allied side. By June 1942, the Allies were battered but still fighting. British pilots had fought off a Nazi invasion of their island, while at the Battle of Coral Sea, the U.S. Navy had frustrated Japanese plans to extend their domination in the Pacific.
America = Arsenal of Democracy
Dwight Eisenhower
Commander of the Allied Forces
General George S. Patton
Famous Military General in WWII
Island Hoping
USA Strategy to defeat Japan in Pacific
Battle of Midway – Turning point in the Pacific
June 4, 1942.

3. Turning Points in the Pacific
While the Allies pursued their 'Europe First' strategy, they did not ignore the Pacific. Through May 1942, Japanese forces continued to advance with seemingly unstoppable momentum. They had attacked American, British, and Dutch colonies, winning control of the Philippines, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, Hong Kong, Wake Island, Guam, and Burma. Then, the United States struck back. The American success at the Battle of Coral Sea in May 1942 served as a warning that the war in the Pacific was about to change.

4. Allied Strategy
Analyze Charts How were the goals of the countries fighting in World War II similar and different?

5. Turning Points in the Pacific
Analyze Maps Why was the location of Midway Island so significant? Make Predictions What impact would a Japanese victory at Midway have on the war in the Pacific?

6. The European Front
Analyze Maps Use the information on the map to summarize the course of World War II in Europe before the Battle of Stalingrad. Support your answer with evidence from the map.

7. Axis Powers on the Defensive
The B-24 Liberator , shown here in a cross-section, was the king of American bombers during the war, faster than previous planes and able to fly on longer missions while carrying more bombs.

8. Turning Points in the Pacific
The American aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, at left, under Japanese attack during the Battle of Midway. Explosions from bombs and gunfire are visible as dark smoke in the sky.