Thursday Warm-Up Use the political cartoon to answer the following questions in your warm-up section… 1. According the political cartoon, what was a concern for America after the attack on Pearl Harbor? 2. What was the government’s response to this growing concern?

Theaters of WWII Europe North Africa Asia Pacific Atlantic Ocean

The War in the Pacific  In early December 1941, the United States was involved in military conflict in both Europe and Asia  After their attack on Pearl Harbor the Japanese turn their attention on grabbing hold of American possessions in the Pacific  December 8, Japanese begin bombing the islands of Wake and Guam, as well as airfields on the Philippine islands  By late December the Japanese military had gained control of Guam, Wake and the British- controlled cities of Hong Kong and Singapore

The Bataan Death March  At the end of December 1941 the Japanese attempt an invasion of the Philippines  General MacArthur and his troops are forced back onto the Bataan peninsula  March 17, MacArthur flees the Philippines to Australia and vows “I shall return”  April 9, ,000 US and Filipino troops surrender to the Japanese  The captured troops forced to march 60 miles to a Japanese prisoner of war camp  Only 54,000 make it their destination The Bataan Death March

Early Japanese Conquests

American Fortunes Improve  Until May 1942 the Allies were losing the war in the Pacific  The Coral Sea Battles  The Allies learn of Japanese plans to invade Tulagi in the Solomon Islands of the Pacific  May 3 to May 8, Intense sea battles take place in the Coral Sea just north of Australia  The allies destroy two major Japanese aircraft carriers and many Japanese airplanes  The Coral Sea Battles were the first Japanese defeats in the Pacific

The Battle of Midway  The Japanese decide plan to take over US controlled Midway Island  US intelligence intercepts and decodes Japanese plans to attack Midway  June 4, Japan Launches its attack on Midway, but the Americans are ready for the attack  US Navy destroys four large Japanese aircraft carriers, and kills over 100 Japanese pilots  The defeat at Midway halts Japanese advance in the Pacific and shifts the balance of power in the Pacific  Victory at Midway is considered a turning point in the war in the Pacific The Battle of Midway

Island Hopping  After the Battle of Midway the Japanese fleet in the Pacific had been weakened  Operation Cartwheel- the Allied plan to reconquer territories lost to Japan in the Pacific in a two pronged assault  General Douglas Macarthur leads one prong south from Australia through New Guinea and up to the Philippines  Admiral Chester Nimitz led the other prong straight to Japan by conquering the tiny islands in the Central Pacific  Island Hopping- military tactic used by the Allies in the Pacific where they invaded selected strategic targets and bypassed others  By 1944 American forces had cleared the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Guam and the Marianas island chain

Fight for the Philippines  Begins with the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944 led by General Douglas Macarthur  Battle included invasions of 4 strategic islands of the Philippines  By March of 1945 Manila lay in ruins  By June of 1945 Japanese resistance had been controlled and the Philippines was back in American hands  38,000 American casualties and 400,000 civilian and Japanese military casualties

Kamikaze Attacks  In Japanese kamikaze means “divine wind”  As the US began to gain control of the war in the Pacific the Japanese began using this tactic to destroy American naval ships  This suicide bomber tactic was first used during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines  1,321 Kamikaze attacks were carried out by the Japanese during WWII  3,000 Allied troops were killed in these attacks  Overall this was ineffective and seen as an act of desperation by the Japanese

The Battle of Iwo Jima  Began February 19 and ended March 26, 1945  The island lays only 500 miles from Japan(strategic importance)  Japanese constructed an elaborate system of fortified caves, dugouts and tunnels to protect the island  US Marines invade the beaches of the tiny volcanic island  20,000 Japanese troops defended the island against 70,000 US Marines  Marines had to use flamethrowers and grenades to destroy fortifications of the Japanese  7,000 Marines lost their lives at Iwo Jima, another 18,000 wounded Raising the Flag

Battle of Okinawa  Okinawa is the southern most island in Japan  Was suppose to be the landing point for the invasion of the Japanese mainland  April 1, The Battle of Okinawa begins and lasts 82 days  Despite heavier than expected losses the Americans are able to defeat the Japanese  killing nearly 70,000 Japanese soldiers and 100,000 civilians  Becomes the bloodiest battle during the war in the Pacific Battle of Okinawa

Iwo Jima Letter Home  Log into Google Classroom  There is an assigned reading for today’s lesson  Read the letter from First Lieutenant Isacks to his sons and answer the questions that go with the reading  Once completed turn in the assignment through Google Classroom