IB History Paper 3: Second World War and the Americas (Pacific Theatre)

Due to WWI flashbacks, America’s initial response to the outbreak of World War II was based on two things

isolationism, neutrality

A document created in 1932 that stated that the United States would not recognize any territorial changes made by force in China by Japan.

Stimson Doctrine

Adjustment to the Roosevelt Corollary to ensure mutual West Hemisphere assistance against aggression. The US reduced their military presence on many Latin American lands.

Good Neighbor Policy

The first American isolationist act in response to the Abyssinian Crisis that prohibited American loans to warring nations.

Neutrality Act of 1935

The second American isolationist act in response to the Spanish Civil War that defined “belligerent” countries as “countries in civil war”.

Neutrality Act of 1937

The American Neutrality Act in 1939 that lifted the arms embargo and allowed arms trade to help Great Britain was called the…

Cash and Carry Act

Why was America still considered isolationist in 1939 despite the Cash and Carry Act?

no troops sent

American Act in 1941 that allowed America to give supplies to any nation deemed necessary to the protection of the USA.

Lend-Lease Act

Speech where FDR emphasized that Great Britain was a nation deemed necessary to the protection of the USA.

Arsenal of Democracy Speech

An organization formed in the United States by Charles Lindbergh that promoted neutrality.

America First Committee

Allied naval commander in the Pacific during WWII.

Chester Nimitz

Supreme allied commander of the Pacific theatre.

Douglas MacArthur

Major allied strategy for the fight in the Pacific theatre of WWII.

island hopping

Four states that Japan took over to create their colonial empire by 1942. (GP(HK)W)

Guam, Philippines, Hong Kong, Wake Island

The day that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor (12/7/1941) is also known as the

Day of Infamy

How many US aircraft were destroyed during Pearl Harbor?

300

The 1941 declaration between Churchill and FDR that they would promote self-determination after WWII.

Atlantic Charter

The name for the amphibious weapons used during WWII in the Pacific Theatre.

alligators

An early Allied victory in 1942 that served as a morale boost.

Doolittle’s Raid

How many aircraft carriers did Japan lose during the Battle of Midway?

4

The turning point battle in the Pacific Theatre in June 1942, in which 4 Japanese aircraft carriers were defeated by the Allies.

Battle of Midway

Battle in the Pacific Theatre where the Allies won by introducing the island-hopping strategy.

Battle of Guadalcanal

A 1944 battle in where the Japanese introduced kamikazes after their Navy was defeated.

Battle of Leyte Gulf

A 1945 battle between the US Marines and Japanese. The Allies won. “Sulfur island.”

Battle of Iwo Jima

The last major battle of WWII that had massive casualties on both sides (1945).

Battle of Okinawa

How many shells were fired in the deadly Battle of Okinawa in 1945?

8 million

What two places in Japan were bombed by two American atomic bombs, effectively ending the war in the Pacific?

Hiroshima, Nagasaki

What day was VJ Day?

September 2, 1939

List the WWII battles from 1941-1945 in the Pacific Theatre.

Attack on Pearl Harbor, Battle of Midway, Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Leyte Gulf, Battle of Iwo Jima, Battle of Okinawa, Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki