Unit 4: World War II - Homefront & Pacific Theater

Franklin Roosevelt

32nd U.S. President (D) who is the only person to be elected to 3 terms in this office. During World War II, he gave the famous "Day of Infamy" Pearl Harbor speech, gave regular Fireside Chats to keep the public informed, mobilized U.S. industry for the war, gave the order to intern Japanese-Americans, and was a key in shaping Allied diplomacy. He died of a stroke while in office.

Douglas MacArthur

U.S. Army General who served as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific during WWII. He led the defense of the Philippines, famously vowing, "I shall return" after being forced to retreat. He played a key role in the Island Hopping strategy, advancing the U.S. military towards Japan. His leadership culminated in overseeing Japan's surrender aboard the USS Missouri in 1945.

Harry Truman

32nd U.S. President (D) who took office when his predecessor died towards the end of WWII. He made the pivotal decision to use atomic bombs, leading to Japan's surrender. He also guided the U.S. through the transition to post-war peace.

Rosie the Riveter

A cultural icon of WWII, Rosie the Riveter represented American women who filled labor shortages in factories and shipyards, symbolizing the War of Production and the Arsenal of Democracy. She is famously depicted wearing a red bandana and overalls with the slogan "We Can Do It!"

Fred Koramatsu

Resisted the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, challenging the government's actions in a landmark Supreme Court case. Decades later, his efforts for civil rights were recognized when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998.

Nanking

The site of a brutal massacre committed by Japanese forces in China in 1937. Over six weeks, soldiers killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and prisoners of war while committing widespread atrocities, including sexual violence, leaving a lasting negative impact on Chinese-Japanese relations.

Pearl Harbor

A U.S. naval base attacked by Japanese forces that led to the deaths of over 2,400 Americans and the destruction of the majority of the U.S Pacific Fleet. The attack prompted the United States to declare war on Japan.

Midway

A pivotal naval battle fought in June 1942 in the Pacific Theater. The U.S. Navy decisively defeated a larger Japanese fleet, sinking four aircraft carriers and shifting the balance of power in the Pacific from the Japanese to the Americans. This victory marked a major turning point in the war against Japan.

Guadalcanal

Site of the first major Allied offensive in the Pacific Theater (1942-1943), securing a vital foothold and disrupting Japanese expansion. The campaign involved brutal jungle warfare and heavy casualties on both sides, highlighting the grueling nature of the Pacific Theater.

Iwo Jima

An island battle marked by intense fighting as U.S. forces captured the island, securing a critical base near Japan to launch bomber operations. The battle was marked by high casualties on both sides and is remembered for the iconic image of U.S. Marines raising the flag. (February-March 1945)

Okinawa

The largest and bloodiest battle of the Pacific Theater (April-June 1945). Intense fighting between U.S. and Japanese forces resulted in heavy military and civilian casualties, securing the U.S. a base for the planned ground invasion of Japan.

Tokyo

Site of a devastating U.S. bombing raid in March 1945. The attack, using incendiary bombs, destroyed much of this city and killed over 100,000 civilians, making it one of the deadliest air raids in history.

Hiroshima

The first city targeted by an atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. on August 6, 1945. The attack killed tens of thousands instantly and led to massive destruction, marking a turning point toward Japan's surrender.

Nagasaki

The second city targeted by an atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. on August 9, 1945, during WWII. The attack caused tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction, contributing to Japan's surrender and the end of the war.

American Response to the Holocaust

Initially maintained restrictive immigration policies, limiting the number of Jewish refugees allowed to enter the country. Public knowledge of Nazi atrocities grew over time, but large-scale action was delayed until late in the war. In 1944, the War Refugee Board was established, which helped save thousands of lives.

Arsenal of Democracy

A term coined by FDR to emphasize the U.S.'s pivotal role as the primary supplier of weapons and materials to the Allies, showcasing the U.S.'s industrial power as critical to the war effort.

War Production Board

Helped factories shift from making consumer goods to war materials like guns, ships, aircraft, and more. This shift helped industry to employ 18 million workers by 1944.

Bracero Program

A WWII labor program that brought Mexican workers to the U.S. to address agricultural and railroad labor shortages, boosting wartime production while highlighting issues of worker exploitation and immigration policies.

Office of War Information

A U.S. government agency established during WWII to coordinate propaganda, promote public support for the war effort, and manage the dissemination of news to maintain morale and unity on the homefront.

Rationing

A system that limited the amount of goods civilians could buy (like food, gas, etc.), ensuring essential resources were available for the military.

Victory Gardens

Small, homegrown gardens encouraged to supplement food supplies by reducing demand on commercial agriculture, ensuring more resources could be directed to the military and Allies.

Executive Order 9066

A directive signed by FDR in 1942, authorizing the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans and others deemed security risks, primarily from the West Coast.

Internment Camps

Facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly detained during WWII, driven by fears of espionage and national security concerns.

442nd Regimental Combat Team

A unit of Japanese American soldiers who fought in Europe during WWII, despite widespread discrimination and the internment of their families. Known for their bravery and motto "Go For Broke," they became one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history.

Island Hopping

A U.S. military strategy involving the capture of key islands to establish bases while bypassing heavily fortified positions. Despite risks to supply lines and the threat of enemy flanking, the strategy ultimately proved successful in advancing toward Japan.

Bataan Death March

A forced march of tens of thousands of American and Filipino prisoners of war by Japanese forces in 1942, covering over 60 miles under brutal conditions. Thousands died from starvation, exhaustion, and abuse, making it one of the most infamous atrocities of the Pacific War.

Kamikaze

Meaning "divine wind" in Japanese, this was a tactic where pilots carried out suicide attacks by crashing explosive-laden planes into Allied ships during the later stages of the Pacific War, causing significant damage and loss of life.

Firebombing

Aerial bombing strategy using incendiary weapons to ignite massive fires, targeting cities in the Pacific. The attack on Tokyo in March 1945 was one of the most devastating actions of any war, killing over 100,000 civilians and destroying much of the city in one night.

Manhattan Project

A top-secret U.S. research program during WWII that developed the first atomic bombs.