wwii pacific usg terms

ABCD line

Economic blockade by America, Britain, China, and the Dutch against Japan before WWII.

B-29 Superfortress

Advanced U.S. bomber used in WWII that carried out firebombing raids and dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Bataan Death March

Forced march of U.S. and Filipino prisoners by the Japanese in 1942 resulting in thousands of deaths.

Bombing of Darwin

1942 Japanese air raid on Australia's northern city, the largest attack on Australia during WWII.

Burma Railway

Railway built by forced labor under Japanese control, with thousands of civilians dying.

Burma Road

A supply route from British-held Burma to China to support Chinese forces against Japan.

Doolittle Raid

U.S. air raid on Tokyo in April 1942 that boosted American morale.

Double V Campaign

A movement advocating for victory against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home.

Executive Order 9066

U.S. order that led to the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Firebombing of Tokyo

March 1945 bombing raid that killed over 100,000 people and destroyed much of Tokyo.

Hibakusha

Japanese term for atomic bomb survivors who faced discrimination in post-war Japan.

“The Hump”

Air supply route over the Himalayas used to keep China in the war against Japan.

Interim Committee

Group that advised the U.S. government on nuclear policy and influenced the decision to drop atomic bombs.

Island Hopping

U.S. strategy of capturing key islands while bypassing others during WWII.

Kamikaze

Japanese suicide pilots who attacked Allied ships, showcasing Japan's desperation.

Manhattan Project

Secret U.S. project to develop atomic bombs leading to Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

Manzanar / Japanese Internment Camps

Camps where Japanese Americans were detained during WWII, violating civil rights.

Potsdam Declaration

U.S. ultimatum demanding Japan’s surrender, leading to atomic bombings.

Quit India Movement

1942 Indian independence movement weakening British control and contributing to India's independence.

“Three Alls Policy”

Japanese scorched-earth strategy resulting in massive civilian casualties in China.

Tokyo Rose

Name for female Japanese radio broadcasters spreading propaganda to demoralize Allied troops.

Treaty of San Francisco

1951 treaty that officially ended the war between Japan and the Allies.

Tripartite Pact

1940 alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan solidifying the Axis Powers.

Unit 731

Secret Japanese military unit conducting biological warfare experiments.

USS Indianapolis

Ship that delivered atomic bomb parts before being sunk by a Japanese submarine.

WAAC / Women's Army Corps

Women’s branch of the U.S. Army during WWII allowing women to serve in non-combat roles.

Yamato-Damashii

Japanese concept of the 'spirit of the samurai,' justifying extreme nationalism.