US History - WW2 Japan and US

What event triggered the United States' entry into World War II against Japan?

Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Battle of Bataan

• Bataan Death March

• began on January 1, 1942

• Americans stranded in the Philippines attempted to resist the Japanese.

• The force on Bataan (78,000 Filipino and American troops) is the largest army under American command ever to surrender.

Battle of the Coral Sea

• naval battle where the ships never saw each other

• it stopped Japanese expansion in the South Pacific.

• Occurred from May 4, 1942 - May 8, 1942

• Japan hoped to attack a port in New Guinea and cut Australia off from the allies, making it possible for it to be invaded.

• Both sides suffered heavy losses but the Japanese were forced to call off their amphibious attack on Port Moresby.

• Moral Victory for the USA

Battle of Midway

• a crucial naval victory for the US that stopped Japanese expansion east

• Occurred on June 4, 1942 - June 7, 1942

• Japan planned a diversionary attack on the Aleutian Islands (Alaska) while the main force attacked Midway to destroy the American fleet.

• Japan was hoping to capture Midway to use it as a base to launch attacks in Hawaii, Alaska, or even the west coast of America.

• Thanks to MAGIC Intercepts, the US didn’t fall for the Alaska feint and reinforced Midway

Iwo Jima

• one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, resulting in 27 Medals of Honor being awarded.

• Occurred from February 19, 1945 - March 26, 1945

• The Japanese concentrated its forces in the northern part of the island

• “Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” – Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

Operation Downfall

The planned invasion of Japan that did not happen.

Douglas MacArthur

• Allied Supreme Commander of the War in the Pacific, known for promising to return to the Philippines.

• returned to Australia when he was forced to retreat

What strategy did the US employ during the war in the Pacific?

Island Hopping, aimed at stopping Japanese expansion and reclaiming the Pacific.

What was 'MAGIC' in relation to World War II?

An operation where the US intercepted Japanese radio traffic, aiding in strategic successes.

What were the names of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan?

Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima and Fat Man was dropped on Nagasaki.

What changes did Douglas MacArthur implement during the American occupation of Japan?

He oversaw the creation of a new constitution, establishing Japan as a constitutional monarchy and promoting women's suffrage.

What was the climate's impact on American forces in the Pacific?

The jungles, heat, and disease presented significant challenges to American troops.

What happened to Emperor Hirohito after WWII?

He remained the Emperor of Japan but had no power under the new constitutional monarchy.

What role did Admiral Yamamoto play in World War II?

He was the Admiral responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor.

What was significant about the USS Missouri in relation to Japan's surrender?

Japan surrendered on the USS Missouri, marking the end of World War II.

What did Admiral Chester W. Nimitz say regarding the valor of the soldiers in Iwo Jima?

He stated, 'Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.'

Battle of Okinawa

• Occurred from April 1 - June 22, 1945

• The largest amphibious landing in the Pacific theater of WW2, but the landing didn’t meet resistance.

• Japan’s army waited to draw the Americans into Okinawa’s series of ridges (Hacksaw Ridge)

• A lot of the fighting was bloody hand-to-hand combat. So many casualties they couldn’t bury all the bodies.

• Last major battle of WW2

Battle of Guadalcanal

• American Marines begin Island Hopping Campaign

American Strategy

• First, stop Japanese expansion

  • Must clear the Pacific of Japan’s superior navy

• Reclaim the Pacific

  • Island Hopping

Japanese Strategy

• Make the war horrible for the US-fight from island to island not give an inch

• Japan would have underground bunkers to attack from

• Heavy Artillery/suicide attacks-kamikazes

• Refuse to surrender - “Death before Dishonor”

• Climate doesn’t help Americans

  • Jungles

  • Heat

  • Disease

Codes During the War

• The US was able to intercept Japanese radio traffic in an operation called “MAGIC”

• Coral Sea: MAGIC intercepts allowed Admiral Nimitz to position two carriers off the eastern tip of New Guinea

• Midway: Thanks to MAGIC, the US didn’t fall for the Alaska feint and reinforced Midway

Name/Place of Bombs

• Little Boy: Was dropped on Hiroshima by the USA (became the first use of an atomic bomb)

• Fat Man: Was dropped on Nagasaki after Japan refused to surrender from the first bomb

Who decides to drop the bomb and what plane did so?

• Truman decides to drop the atomic bomb.

• Enola Gay was the name of the plane that dropped the bomb.

American occupation of Japan

• Douglas MacArthur was sent as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces to oversee rebuilding, MacArthur's Constitution

• Japan becomes a constitutional monarchy

• (Political) new constitution, constitutional monarchy, emperor stripped of power, women’s suffrage, prevented Japan from becoming communist

• (Economic) improve infrastructure, market economy, invest in human and capital resources

• (Social) English as 2nd language, Japan adopts US culture

Mt. Suribachi

Mountain where the flag was raised in Iwo Jima

Who joined days after the atomic bombs were dropped?

USSR

Why was it easy for Japan to expand after Pearl Harbor?

no European/US influenced over Pacific Islands