1. We look to rebuild our military and strike back at Japan
The U.S. Prepares for War
We look to rebuild our military and strike back at Japan

2. The U.S. Prepares for War
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. found itself ill-equipped, wounded, and at war with three countries
American spirits were low and needed a boost
The U.S. had to build a military, train men for combat, and transition factories to start producing war materials

3. The U.S. Prepares for War
At the start of WWII, the United States had only the 19th largest military in the world. (2.2 million men)
They had a smaller military than some countries such as Finland and Romania
President FDR sees this problem and immediately begins to boost defense spending for the war effort

4. The U.S. Prepares for War
The first peacetime military draft started in 1940 by FDR. Men ages had to register. Sixteen million registered and one million were drafted
After Pearl Harbor the draft is expanded to include all men ages However, the draft would focus on men 38 years old and younger
Men were required to serve at least one year, or until the fighting was over.

5. The U.S. Prepares for War

6. The U.S. Prepares for War
By the end of the war in 1945, over 50 million men had registered for the military, and over 10 million had been drafted
What if you didn’t want to go??
Conscientious Objector: A man who refuses to fight in the war based on his religion, faith, or personal beliefs

7. The U.S. Prepares for War
If you didn’t want to wait to be drafted into the Army you could volunteer and enlist early. Over 5 million men enlisted in a branch other than the Army.
Not all men were selected for combat duty. Things were considered such as the soldier’s importance to the war, his health, and his family situation
Men would undergo physical and psychiatric exams, be fingerprinted, given a serial number, administered the oath, and sent off for training

8. The U.S. Prepares for War

9. The U.S. Prepares for War
At boot camp, men learned to adapt to a military life
They underwent physical conditioning, learned to operate weapons, and taught specialized skills for 8 weeks
Men could choose to focus on a specialized job or unit if they wanted such as a paratrooper, mortar man, radio man, or become part of an anti-aircraft team

10. The U.S. Prepares for War
When they finished their training they became known as a G.I. or Government Issue. Term for a U.S. soldier in WWII
Men then were given a week of leave before they embarked for either the Pacific or the European Theater.

11. The U.S. Prepares for War What were these men to fight with??
As these men were trained to fight, a new training was taking place in the U.S.
Factories were quickly being retooled to produce tanks, planes, ships, and weapons
By February 1942, the automobile industry was shut down and wartime production began

12. The U.S. Prepares for War
America was ready for a fight, and wanted revenge against the Japanese first and foremost
In the 4 months after Pearl Harbor, Japan continued to expand across the Pacific taking over European colonies and the U.S. controlled Philippines
In April 1942, a plan comes together to strike back at the Japanese

13. The U.S. Prepares for War

14. The U.S. Prepares for War
Doolittle’s Raid: Colonel James “Jimmy” Doolittle proposes a bombing of Tokyo from B-25 bombers
We have no airfield in the Pacific close enough to hit Japan though.
He will launch them off of an aircraft carrier!

15. The U.S. Prepares for War
Bomber planes are too heavy to lift off from an aircraft carrier so he must make them lighter by getting rid of anything unnecessary
This includes machine guns replaced by broom handles, radar being tossed out, and bulletproof glass being replaced
Pilots trained for one month on these short runway takeoffs

16. The U.S. Prepares for War

17. The U.S. Prepares for War
On April 2, 1942, the U.S.S. Hornet sets sail across the Pacific with 16 planes and 80 men
They planned to launch from 400 miles out, bomb Tokyo, and land at a friendly Chinese airfield
They are spotted by a Japanese fishing boat. It is sunk, but not before radioing in their position
Planes now take off from 600 miles out

18. The U.S. Prepares for War

19. The U.S. Prepares for War
All of the 16 planes make it to Tokyo and drop their bombs on factories, steel mills, oil tanks, and other military targets
These planes continue to fly on to China or to the Soviet Union
Japan captured one plane and the crew after they had to bail out. They were all executed in October

20. The U.S. Prepares for War
The other pilots returned home safely and Colonel Doolittle was given the Medal of Honor by FDR
The damage to Japan was moderate, but the surprise attack lifted the American spirit
Reinvigorated by a victory over Japan, the U.S. focuses on the war effort at home