1. Standards and Objective
SSHS-S1C8-01-d
Strand 1: American History
Concept 8: Great Depression and World War II
PO 2. Describe the impact of American involvement in World War II:
e. war mobilization ( e.g., Native American Code-Talkers, minority participation in military units, media portrayal)
Students will comprehend the events in the Pacific by identifying major strategies and turning points.

2. War in the Pacific
War at sea

3. The Fall of The Philippines
Japan invaded the Philippines and pushed back MacArthur’s troops
MacArthur retreated to the Bataan Peninsula
Held out for 3 months
in desperation, the troops ate their horses and mules

4. The Bataan Death March MacArthur had to finally surrender
Said “ I came through, and I shall return.
78,000 prisoners of war were forced to march 65 miles
They were sick, exhausted and starving
Almost 10,000 troops died

5. The Doolittle Raid
FDR wanted to bomb raise the morale of the American people by bombing Tokyo
Only way planes could reach Japan though was by aircraft carrier and they couldn’t get close enough
Decided to put B-25s on the carriers instead because they were longer range but they had to land in china
Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle commanded the first bombing of Japan

6. Navajo Code Talkers
The Navajo recruits developed code words using their language to make it even harder to decipher
At the Battle of Iwo Jima, code talkers transmitted more than 800 messages during the first 48 hours
Top secret mission that wasn’t revealed until 1971
In 2001 they were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor

7. Samuel Tso

8. The Battle of Midway
Admiral Yamamoto planned to attack Midway but used the same code that the Americans had already cracked
The Japanese headed to midway and were ambushed by the Americans
The Japanese prepared for a second wave but American planes bombed and destroyed four Japanese carriers
Admiral Yamamoto ordered a retreat
Turning point in the war in the Pacific

9. Let’s Think What made the Battle of Midway a major turning point?
Why are the topics we have talked about so far considered important?
e.g.: MacArthur’s retreat, the Bataan Death March, Code Talkers, the Doolittle Raid

10. Driving Back Japan
Island Hopping -moving from one island to the next getting closer and closer to Japan
A major problem was that many of the island were coral reef atolls so when ships ran aground on them, soldiers had to wade to shore under heavy fire
At Tarawa, Amphtracs were used to help Marines get ashore but there weren’t enough of them
Used Amphtracs to take Kwajalein and the Marshal Islands

11. The Mariana Islands
Despite strong Japanese resistance, Admiral Nimitz wanted to take the Mariana Islands
These Islands could be used as a heavy bomber base
American troops captured all three Islands by August 1944
B-29s started bombing Japan

12. Steps to the Philippines
MacArthur worked on invading the Solomon Islands
Finally captured enough islands to surround the main Japanese base causing them to withdraw but leave 100,000 troops
Afraid he was being left behind, MacArthur advanced and was able to take New Guinea

13. MacArthur Returns
To take back the Philippines, the U.S. assembled an enormous invasion force
October 1944, over 700 ships carrying more than 160,000 troops
A few hours after the invasion began, MacArthur headed to the beach and grabbing a radio microphone said: “People of the Philippines, I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil.”

14. The Battle of Leyte Gulf
Largest naval battle in history
First time the Japanese used Kamikaze attacks
Kamikaze means: Divine Wind
Just as things got desperate for Americans the Japanese commander ordered a retreat thinking more American ships were on the way

15. Victory in the Philippines
The campaign to recapture the Philippines was long and grueling
More ahn 80,000 Japanese were killed and less than 1,000 surrendered
MacArthur’s troops did not capture Manila until March 1945
The battle left the city in ruins and more than 100,000 Filipino Civilians dead
The remaining Japanese retreated into the wilderness and continued fighting until word came that Japan had surrendered

16. Let’s Review
What advantages did the code talkers provide for Americans forces?
What was “Island Hopping” and how was it successful?