1. ( The Pacific Campaign )
How did the Allies
TURN THE TIDE
of WWII ?
( The Pacific Campaign )

2. Turning Points: The Pacific
Island Hopping
-US begins a military policy call Island Hopping to gain control of various key islands and get within striking distance of Japan.
-the Battle of Midway was a turning point for US military in the Pacific because Japan’s navy was turned back as it suffered heavy losses
-Other key battles in the Pacific war included Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Coral Sea, Philippines
Island Hopping
During the intense fighting in the Pacific, Japanese pilots carried out suicide missions (kamikaze) against allied ships

3. Truman’s Choice
Truman was faced with the difficult decision of using atomic weapons
By 1945, Truman and his staff had considered three options
A full scale invasion of the Japanese mainland
A demonstration of the atomic bomb before Japanese officials
To use the atomic bomb on Japanese cities

4. Truman’s Choice
After warning Japan, Truman ordered the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945)
When Japan did not respond, Truman ordered a second bomb dropped on Nagasaki (August 9)
Truman believed that using the bomb would save the lives of American Soldiers
Thousands of Japanese were killed and suffered after effects from the radiation
August 14, Japan announced it would surrender

6. Scenes from the Pacific Campaign
Gen. MacArthur at
Japan's Surrender
American Soldiers
During the
Bataan Death March
Americans Celebrate V-J Day
Times Square, NYC
Gen. MacArthur RETURNS!
Atomic Blast
Hiroshima, Japan
Marines at Iwo Jima

7. Conclusion: The US used the strategy of Island Hopping to defeat Japan
Truman ordered the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to avoid a full scale invasion of Japan and save American lives
The US was the first and only country to use atomic weapons
110,000 Japanese-Americans were interred in relocation camps in the Western United States
Truman’s decision still remains controversial