World War II:The Pacific Theater

By: R.C.

World War II: The Pacific Theater

This video gives you a basic overview of what will be completed in the lesson!

Who was the War between?

Next

After reviewing both Countries push the next

button!

United States’ Pacific War Involvement

• The U.S. refrained from joining the war until a surprise attack led by the Japanese confirmed the desire for them to join

• This lead to the United States declaring war on Japan.

• The United States had many allies in attempt to defeat Japan.

• Started out roughly, but gained victories and power as the war continued.

Japan’s Pacific War Involvement

• Allied with Germany and Italy following the United States joining the war.

• In the beginning, there were many battles fought and successfully won by the Japanese.

• Successfully held all areas in mainland China until late in the war.

let’s continue on to some specifics!

Now we know who the Pacific Theater involved!

Let’s discover Regions of the Pacific

Saipan

Leyte

Iwo Jima

Okinawa

After reviewing all the regions

you may move on!

Saipan

• Contained an air force base that was crucial for the United States to gain control of near Japan’s main islands.

• Mt. Tapotchau was the highest peak in Saipan and used for a sight advantage but resulted in many disadvantages.

• The loss of this air force base was devastating to the government and citizens in the Tokyo area.

Return to Map!

Gulf of Leyte

• This is the area near the Philippines, Leyte, Samar, and Luzon.

• Americans captured most of the Mariana Islands.

• The local of this area is crucial for the United States in their advances upon mainland Japan

Return to Map!

Iwo Jima

• Island located between the Mariana Islands and Japan.

• Considered most difficult for United States forces.

• Considered to be crucial with high tactical importance.

• Assisted in showing Americans how strongly the Japanese would fight to defend their country.

Return to Map!

Okinawa

• Last and largest of the battles of WWII that took place in the Pacific.

• Area had a much larger population than other areas that battles took place.

• Japanese changed their tactics in attempt to gain time.

Return to Map!

Now that you have an idea of the region we will be covering lets move on to some important battles

and interviews of some veterans!

Remember review all the sections there will be some questions you will have to

respond to!

The Pacific

Prominence of battle Climate Life of a Soldier

Only after reviewing all the

sections move on. You will not be

able to return to this page after you

move on!!!

Battle Timeline

Wake Isl. NagasakiOkinawa

Pearl Harbor

Midway

Hiroshima

Review the remaining sections!

1941 1945

Select only 1 box for your answer.

On what day and which battle proved to be the breaking point for the United States to enter WWII?

Dec 7th, 1941 Wake Island

Dec 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbor.

Dec 8th, 1941 Pearl Harbor

Dec 8th, 1941 Wake Island

A.

B.

C.

D.

Select only 1 box for your answer.

During which battle was the initial landing coined “L-Day” or “Love Day”?

.Okinawa

.Wake Island

.Guadalcanal

.Midway

A.

B.

C.

D.

Select only 1 box for your answer.

How many United States Navy ships were sunk at Pearl Harbor?

118

1814

A.

B.

C.

D.

Select only 1 box for your answer.

The attack on what Island proved to be the turning point for the United States in turning from predominantly a defensive front to a now offensive front?

.Okinawa

.Midway

.Wake

.Iwo Jima

A.

B.

C.

D.

Select only 1 box for your answer.

Return to Assessment

page

What were the names of the two atomic bombs dropped upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

.Big Boy; Tiny Man

.Tiny Boy; Big Man

.Little Man; Fat Boy

.Little Boy; Fat Man

A.

B.

C.

D.

Wake Island

• December 8th, 1941

• Japanese struck island with a wave of tactical bombers

• Wake island was bombed daily for two weeks after the first bombing

• Ended in a Japanese victory on Dec 23rd

• Inspired Hollywood to create the first war movie Wake Island in 1942.

Back to the Timeline

Pearl Harbor

• December 7th, 1941

• Becomes the U.S. home base for it’s navy fleet with Japan becoming more aggressive in the Pacific.

• Approximately 360 Japanese aircraft through surprise attack the Harbor and it’s navy.

• Following the onslaught the U.S. lost 18 ships, 170 aircraft, and close to 3,700 lives.

• Japan was able to avoid any significant casualties

Back to the Timeline

Midway

• June 4th, 1942

• Japanese had the advantage in the Pacific at this point by always being on the offensive

• Over a three day period Japanese would lose 4 carriers compared to the U.S. 1.

• This prove to a significant for the U.S. in defending themselves from a Japanese onslaught

• Following Midway the U.S. took a swing towards the offensive for the remaining war in the Pacific.

Back to the Timeline

Okinawa

• April 1st, 1945

• Lasted 82 days

• U.S. lost 36 ships and had 368 damaged. Which amounted for the highest loss for the U.S. navy

• Began on Easter Sunday, where the bloody landing was coined as “L-Day” or “Love Day”

Back to the Timeline

Hiroshima

• August 6th, 1945

• American B-9 bomber dropped the first atomic bomb known as “Little Boy” which exploded 2,000 feet above the city.

• “Little Boy” left 90% of the city in ruins and left behind 80,000 casualties

• This bomb and others were created and tested in what was known as “The Manhattan Project”

• This bombing alone was still not enough to convince the Japanese of surrender. Back to the

Timeline

Nagasaki• August 9th, 1945

• U.S. planned to drop a second bomb following Hiroshima on the city of Kokura, but by chance weather altered those plans with thick cloud cover. Instead Nagasaki was chosen instead.

• The planned atomic bomb of “Fat Man” was suppose to be much larger of an impact than “Little Boy” but with the layout of the land in between mountain ranges this lowered the bombs impact radius.

• The bombing resulted in approximately 87,000 deaths and 60,000 wouded

• Following this attack World War II came to a halt with Japans surrender for fear of continued Atomic bomb assaults.

Back to the Timeline

Climate

Climate Conditions

• Unlike the European front where troops faced bitter cold. The Pacific was home to high heats and an almost unbearable humidity.

• With this tropical climate it also brought upon it many disease carrying insects and animals.

• During monsoon seasons it brought upon it more difficulties. Soldiers were never able to dry themselves causing many bodily infections.

• Soldiers had to endure more than anticipated when it comes to a going to battle than any other war because of the extreme weather conditions.

Return to review the remaining

sections!

Pacific Veterans

Robert Leckie John Basilone Sidney Phillips

Robert Leckie

Return to Veterans Page

John Basilone

Return to Veterans Page

Sidney Phillips

Return to Veterans Page

Now that you have reviewed all sections you will need to

respond to two essays and a quiz.

Assessment Time!!

Take the quiz!

Respond to the essay question after reviewing

all of the sections.

Describe the climate of the Pacific and how it affected the soldiers in a minimum of 200 words.

Do you think most U.S. soldiers were proud to be in the war? What were some of the emotions they experienced? Respond

with a minimum of 200 words.

Be sure to remove all spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors.

Review your essays

You have now completed the module. If you are satisfied with your responses

you may move on.

Review your essays

Thank you for your submission. Your teacher will now review your quiz and

essay submissions. Good job!