60 likes | 169 Views
WWII. Two Fronts. War in the Pacific. Japan’s strategy Attack Pearl Harbor = US will withdraw from western Pacific Take over South Pacific and be dominant throughout Asia First year of the war, this strategy works Japan controls most islands in western pacific
E N D
WWII Two Fronts
War in the Pacific • Japan’s strategy • Attack Pearl Harbor = US will withdraw from western Pacific • Take over South Pacific and be dominant throughout Asia • First year of the war, this strategy works • Japan controls most islands in western pacific • Philippines captured by Japan (10,000 + US soldiers • Allies focus on defending China and India • Course of War shifts (1942) • Allied victories put Japan on defensive • Allies begin long process of island hopping (capturing one island at a time from which to stage the next assault) • Two major battles (1945) • Iwo Jima – 25,000 US casualties (iconic image of war) • Okinawa – 350 miles from Japan • Japan pledged to fight to the death = need to invade to win
War in Europe • Germany/ Italy control most of Europe/ North Africa • Germans open eastern front vs. USSR • Battle of Stalingrad (1942) • Allies Invade Africa (1943) • Several early defeats, then success = Italian/ German retreat • Allies Invade Italy (1943) • Capture Rome, but difficult to go further because of German strength and geography • Italy’s new government (not fascist) declares war on Germany