APUSH Notes 3/31

The American Strategy: 1941- Spring of 1942

-            Protect American assets and California coastline.

-            The Doolittle Raid’s Significance

-            The Battle of Coral Sea (May, 1942)

a.       Japanese Strategy

b.       American and Japanese air attacks

c.       A victory for… technically the U.S.

Battle of Midway: June 1942

-            Turning point in the Pacific War

-            The Japanese Planned to take midway as a stepping-stone to the invasion of Hawaii

-            Additionally, they believed that they could destroy the remainder of the US navy aircraft carriers

-            They planned a diversion also attacking Alaska (Aleutian islands)

-            On the day of the attack a moment of indecision would cost Japan dearly.

Why was this a Devastating Defeat for the Japanese?

-            We had broken their naval code but they didn’t realize it!

-            They lost 4 aircraft carriers and numerous smaller vessels.

-            They lost hundreds of experienced pilots who were irreplaceable!

-            They will stay on the defense for the rest of the war.

World War II: Island Hopping

-            By 1943 the US begins its counter-attack at Gaudalcanal retaking a Japanese held island.

The Advent of Nuclear War

• This marked a significant shift in military strategy, leading to a series of successful campaigns across the Pacific as American forces aimed to capture strategically important islands.