Pacific TheaterPacific Theater

PhilippinesPhilippines Spring 1942Spring 1942

Japanese control Philippines in March Japanese control Philippines in March when Douglas MacArthur ordered by when Douglas MacArthur ordered by FDR off islandFDR off island

Promised that “I shall return”Promised that “I shall return” SignificanceSignificance

US stumble out of gates in PacificUS stumble out of gates in Pacific Many US soldiers and personnel left Many US soldiers and personnel left

behindbehind

Coral SeaCoral Sea May 1942May 1942 Japanese and US clash in air Japanese and US clash in air

between Asian and Australiabetween Asian and Australia Significant because-one showed the Significant because-one showed the

different types of battle that we will different types of battle that we will see in Pacific (air and naval will rule). see in Pacific (air and naval will rule). Two- it shows the world Japan can be Two- it shows the world Japan can be stopped and Australia is no longer stopped and Australia is no longer threatened.threatened.

Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway Summer of 1942Summer of 1942 Why fought?-Midway island (NW of Why fought?-Midway island (NW of

Hawaii). US cracks code and is aware of Hawaii). US cracks code and is aware of attackattack Scout planes find Japanese on June 3Scout planes find Japanese on June 3 Japanese will lose 4 aircraft carriers and Japanese will lose 4 aircraft carriers and

over 250 planes in battleover 250 planes in battleTurning point of PacificTurning point of Pacific ““Avenged Pearl Harbor” as one Avenged Pearl Harbor” as one

Japanese pilot saidJapanese pilot said

Iwo JimaIwo Jima Most protected spot in AsiaMost protected spot in Asia

Over 20,700 troops (all would die but Over 20,700 troops (all would die but roughly 200)roughly 200)

Marines lose 6,000-highest of pacific Marines lose 6,000-highest of pacific thus farthus far

Fought as a stepping stone to Japan-Fought as a stepping stone to Japan-only Okinawa left in island hopping only Okinawa left in island hopping campaigncampaign

Produced ‘the photo’Produced ‘the photo’

Battle of OkinawaBattle of Okinawa April 1945April 1945 US invasion-dealt with kamikaze attacks US invasion-dealt with kamikaze attacks

and unbelievable fighting style of never and unbelievable fighting style of never surrendersurrender 110,000 die for Japan while ‘only’ 7,000 110,000 die for Japan while ‘only’ 7,000

for USfor US Scary preview at what fighting in Japan Scary preview at what fighting in Japan

might be like-is there another way to might be like-is there another way to end the warend the war

Fighting styleFighting style Japanese fought w/ honor and a cultural Japanese fought w/ honor and a cultural

belief in the militarybelief in the military Kamikaze attacks-purposely using Kamikaze attacks-purposely using

planes strapped with bombs to hurl into planes strapped with bombs to hurl into ships, etc to cause maximum damageships, etc to cause maximum damageName comes from term “divine wind” Name comes from term “divine wind”

after the story of a typhoon that saved after the story of a typhoon that saved Japan from a Mongol invasion in the Japan from a Mongol invasion in the 1200’s.1200’s.

Atomic BombAtomic Bomb Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project

Lead by OppenheimerLead by Oppenheimer First tested in July of 1945 in New MexicoFirst tested in July of 1945 in New Mexico

Flash was visible for 180 milesFlash was visible for 180 miles Harry S Truman faces his first tough decisionHarry S Truman faces his first tough decision

Drop the bomb and end countless numbers Drop the bomb and end countless numbers of livesof lives

OR don’t drop it and lose American livesOR don’t drop it and lose American lives He would ask Japan to surrender at once, or He would ask Japan to surrender at once, or

elseelse

When they don’t surrender, the first Atom When they don’t surrender, the first Atom bomb is dropped on August 6, 1945 on bomb is dropped on August 6, 1945 on Hiroshima, JapanHiroshima, Japan

After hesitating to surrender, Nagasaki After hesitating to surrender, Nagasaki was hit w/ the secondwas hit w/ the second Both areas were military areas and Both areas were military areas and

hence their selection for the drophence their selection for the drop Hirohito was horrified by the damage Hirohito was horrified by the damage

and eventually calls for peace by and eventually calls for peace by surrendering to the US on Sept. 2surrendering to the US on Sept. 2