Section 3: War in the Pacific

Remember – while we ’ re fighting Hitler in Europe, there was also fighting going on in the Pacific. There were many famous battles in the Pacific. The one that was the turning point of the war was the Battle of Midway. There were many famous battles in the Pacific. The one that was the turning point of the war was the Battle of Midway. The Allies realized they couldn ’ t attack every little Pacific island the Japanese were on – so they used a plan called “ island hopping ” – they only attacked the major islands The Allies realized they couldn ’ t attack every little Pacific island the Japanese were on – so they used a plan called “ island hopping ” – they only attacked the major islands (Iwo Jima was one of these islands)

The Japanese were fearless fighters though – they would never give up. They used some fighters called Kamikazes – who ’ d actually going on suicide plane missions and intentionally fly their plane into U.S. targets. They used some fighters called Kamikazes – who ’ d actually going on suicide plane missions and intentionally fly their plane into U.S. targets. Some Japanese fighters from some of these islands were found years later – and never knew the war had ended. Some Japanese fighters from some of these islands were found years later – and never knew the war had ended.

Eventually the United States got close enough to Japan to attack their main islands President Truman (FDR had died) thought if the U.S. invaded Japan it may cost as many as 200,000 American soldiers lives. President Truman (FDR had died) thought if the U.S. invaded Japan it may cost as many as 200,000 American soldiers lives. And at the same time some scientists were working on a new type of bomb. And at the same time some scientists were working on a new type of bomb.

There was actually a race in many countries to be the first to develop an atomic bomb. In the United States this work was called “ the Manhattan Project. ” In the United States this work was called “ the Manhattan Project. ” After successfully testing the bomb – Truman told Japan about it. After successfully testing the bomb – Truman told Japan about it. But they refused to give in and… But they refused to give in and…

On August 6 th, 1945 the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima 70,000 people died. 70,000 people died. The Japanese still did not give up. The Japanese still did not give up. 3 days later the U.S. dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki 3 days later the U.S. dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki By August 14 th, Japan had surrendered By August 14 th, Japan had surrendered