Key Term	Date (as relevant)	Defined	Context
ABCD line	1940	- Economic blockade by America, Britain, China, and the Dutch against Japan before WWII.	- Increased Japan’s hostility toward Western nations and contributed to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
B-29 Superfortress	1942-1960	- Advanced U.S. bomber used in WWII. - Carried out firebombing raids and dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.	- Played a crucial role in ending the war in the Pacific by devastating Japanese cities.
Bataan Death March	1942	- Forced march of U.S. and Filipino prisoners by the Japanese in 1942. - Thousands died due to harsh conditions.	- One of the worst war crimes committed by Japan, fueling American resolve in the Pacific War.
Bombing of Darwin	February 1942	- 1942 Japanese air raid on Australia’s northern city. - Largest attack on Australia during WWII.	- Showed Japan’s ability to strike far from home and increased Australia’s reliance on the U.S. for defense.
Burma Railway	Built in 1940-1943 Closed in 1947	- Railway built by forced labor under Japanese control in 1942–1943. - Thousands of civilians died.	- Example of Japanese war atrocities, later leading to war crime trials.
Burma Road	1937-1938	- A supply route from British-held Burma to China. - Used to support Chinese forces against Japan.	- Key route for Allied supplies before Japan cut it off in 1942.
Doolittle Raid	April 1942	- U.S. air raid on Tokyo in 1942. - Led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle.	- Boosted American morale and forced Japan to rethink its defenses.
Double V Campaign	1942	- A movement advocating for victory against both fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home.	- Highlighted the contradictions of fighting for freedom abroad while segregation persisted in the U.S.
Executive Order 9066	1942	- U.S. order that led to the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.	- Violated civil rights and remains a dark chapter in U.S. history.
Firebombing of Tokyo	March 1945	- March 1945 bombing that destroyed much of Tokyo. - Killed over 100,000 people.	- Deadliest bombing raid in history, showing the destruction of total war.
Hibakusha	After 1945	- Japanese term for atomic bomb survivors. - Faced discrimination in post-war Japan.	- Their testimonies highlight the human cost of nuclear warfare.
“The Hump”	1942-45	- Air supply route over the Himalayas from India to China. - Used after the Burma Road was cut off.	- Kept China in the war against Japan despite extreme conditions.
Interim Committee	May 1945	- Group that advised the U.S. government on nuclear policy during WWII.	- Influenced the decision to drop the atomic bombs.
Island Hopping	1942	- U.S. strategy of capturing key islands while bypassing others.	- Helped the U.S. advance toward Japan with fewer casualties.
Kamikaze	1944	- Japanese suicide pilots who attacked Allied ships.	- Showed Japan’s desperation in the final stages of the war.
Manhattan Project	Began 1942-6	- Secret U.S. project to develop atomic bombs.	- Led to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending WWII.
Manzanar / Japanese Internment Camps	1942	- Camps where Japanese Americans were detained during WWII.	- A violation of civil rights based on wartime fear and prejudice.
Potsdam Declaration	1945	- U.S. ultimatum demanding Japan’s surrender in July 1945.	- Japan’s rejection led to the atomic bombings.
Quit India Movement	August 1942	- 1942 Indian independence movement against British rule.	- Weakened British control and contributed to India’s independence in 1947.
“Three Alls Policy”	1940	- Japanese scorched-earth strategy: “Kill All, Burn All, Loot All.”	- Led to massive civilian casualties in China.
Tokyo Rose	1949	- Name given to female Japanese radio broadcasters who spread propaganda to demoralize Allied troops.	- Example of psychological warfare in WWII.
Treaty of San Francisco	September 1951 Enforced April 1952	- 1951 treaty that officially ended the war between Japan and the Allies.	- Allowed Japan to rebuild and rejoin the international community.
Tripartite Pact	September 1940	- 1940 alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan.	- Solidified the Axis Powers and made WWII a global conflict.
Unit 731	1937-1945	- Secret Japanese military unit that conducted biological warfare experiments.	- Responsible for horrific war crimes, similar to Nazi experiments.
USS Indianapolis	Launched March 1930	- Ship that delivered the atomic bomb parts before being sunk by a Japanese submarine. - Most of the crew died in shark-infested waters.	- One of the worst naval disasters in U.S. history.
WAAC / Women's Army Corps	1942-1978	- Women’s branch of the U.S. Army during WWII.	- Allowed women to serve in non-combat roles and contributed to the war effort.
Yamato-Damashii	1939-45	- Japanese concept of “spirit of the samurai” or warrior ethos.	- Justified extreme nationalism and kamikaze tactics in WWII.

wwii pacific usg terms