activity - wwii pacific front timeline - s2014 · 2015-06-30 · microsoft word - activity - wwii...

1 Activity -‐ WWII Pacific Front Timeline -‐ S2014.docx

U.S. History Spring Unit II: WWII The Pacfic Front Name: __________________________

America followed a defensive policy in Japan until the summer of 1942. Following is a list of the events that occurred during World War II's War in the Pacific:

• Early Japanese Victories -‐ Japan was able to have many victories in the Pacific and began attacking the Philippines. The Americans eventually had to surrender after General Douglas MacArthur and his troops failed to hold the Bataan Peninsula and the island of Corregidor. This was when MacArthur said his famous line, "I will return."

• Pacific Offensive -‐ America began an offensive campaign during the summer of 1942. They defeated the Japanese at the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. In August, 1942, America invaded Guadalcanal and by May, 1943 had freed the Aleutians.

• Island Hopping -‐ The Americans led by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz took back many Japanese held islands on their way to the Japanese mainland. In June, 1944, Saipan fell and then in July America captured Guam. In March, 1945, America took Iwo Jima and held Okinawa by June.

• Philippines -‐ MacArthur kept his promise and returned to the Philippines after important victories in the Battle of Leyte Gulf (led by Admiral William Halsey). By January, 1945, they had landed at Luzon to battle for the Philippines.

• China -‐ Chiang Kai-‐Shek led the Chinese against the Japanese. In January, 1945, the Ledo Road was opened, and the allies were able to get supplies to the Chinese who then expelled the Japanese.

• Atomic Bombs -‐ Throughout the war, America had been working on the creation of atomic bombs through the Manhattan Project. In August, 1945, America led by Harry Truman, who took over the presidency after FDR's death, decided to drop atomic bombs on two cities in Japan. Part of the rationale for this decision was that they wanted to avoid the loss of life that would accompany an invasion of the Japanese mainland. Hiroshima was the first target on August 6th and then Nagasaki was hit on August 9th. The two bombs killed approximately 100,000 Japanese instantly. By September 1, 1945, the Japanese had unconditionally surrendered. This was V-‐J Day (Victory over Japan day).


World War II: Pacific Front Illustrated Timeline

Directions: Using pp. 578-‐587 in your textbook, summarize the points on the timeline. Be concise as possible and try to use your own words. After you summarize each point, draw a picture or symbol to represent each point. The first point is done for you as an example.

April 18, 1942 May, 1942 June 3, 1942 August, 1942 Doolittle’s raid Battle of the Coral Sea Battle of Midway Guadalcanal

• Allies successfully bombed Tokyo All fighting was done through aircraft Americans broke Japans code and “Island of Death” and other Japanese cities not a single shot was fires by surface ships. knew midway was the next target. Japan’s first defeat on

• Improved morale for America First time after Pearl Harbor a Japanese in the words of a Japanese official land. invasion had been stopped and turned back. “Pearl Harbor was avenged.” Turning point in the Pacific War, Allies began island hopping.



October, 1944 February 19, 1945 April, 1945 June-‐July, 1945 Battle of Leyte Gulf Iwo Jima Okinawa Manhattan Project (make sure to define kamikaze)

• Kamikaze attack in which Japanese critical point to fight Japan. More than 7,600 Americans died led by General Leslie Groves pilots crashed their bomb-‐laden planes 20,700 japanese troops entrenched about 110,000 Japanese died. Research by J. Robert

into allied ships. In tunnels and caves. It was a chilling foretaste of what Oppenheimer. • Kamikaze pilots were just regular people 6,000 marines died (the greatest number the US could expect by invading Development of the Atomic

that loved their country. In any battle in the Pacific so far) the home islands. Bomb. • Japan suffered big losses, from then on only 200 Japanese survived. More than 1,900 kamikaze attacks President Truman had the

The imperial navy played only a minor Famous raising of the flag in Mt. Suribachi on allies, sank 30 ships, and decision of where to drop role in the defense of Japan. Navajo code talkers helped a lot here. Damaging more than 300. The bomb.



August 6-‐9, 1945 February, 1945 1945-‐1949 1945-‐1952 Hiroshima and Nagasaki Yalta Conference Nuremberg War Trials Occupation of Japan • Little boy was dropped on Hiroshima Stalin wanted to keep Germany Allies put 24 surviving Nazi’s on US occupied Japan. • Fat Man was dropped in Nagasaki divided into occupation zones, trial for crimes against humanity, More Japanese were put in trial • An estimated 200,000 died by the end controlled by the allies. Crimes against the peace, and war just like the Nazis.

Of the year. Churchill had a completely different crimes. The US reshaped Japan’s • Ended the war. Approach, so Roosevelt was a . 12 0f the 24 were sentenced to death economy by introducing free

Mediator. the remaining to prison. Market Prices which led to a The US wanted Stalins support on the Established the principle “individuals remarkable economic recovery. War with Japan, and to form the UN. Are responsible for their own actions, New Constitution guaranteed They all agreed to divide Germany into even in the times of war.” Basic freedoms to all (including Four sections and hoped to reunite women). “The MacArthur Later on. Constitution” Stalin agreed to join the war and the UN All these changes under the Efforts. Leadership of General Douglas MacArthur.

activity - wwii pacific front timeline - s2014 · 2015-06-30 · microsoft word - activity - wwii...

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