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Explore Japan's relentless conquests, the infamy of Pearl Harbor, and the brutal realities of war in the Pacific during World War II.
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Japan’s Pacific Campaign Chapter 16 Section 2
Day of Infamy • Japan continues their conquests. • Admiral Yamamoto called for an attack on the U.S. fleet in Hawaii. • December 7, 1941 – Pearl Harbor was attacked. • U.S. military leaders knew that an attack might come, but they didn’t know when. • Within two hours – 19 ships were damaged, 8 of those were battleships. • 2,300+ Americans were killed; 1,100 wounded. • Congress accepts FDR’s request to declare war on Japan and its allies.
A Day of Infamy • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQAf74fsE
Significance • Ends U.S. policy of isolationism. • U.S. declares war on Japan and all of the Axis Powers.
Japanese Victories • After quickly defeating Guam and Wake Island, Japan turned to the Philippines. • Huge early win for Japs, used to be American territory. • Gen. McArthur forced to leave. “I shall return.”
Japanese Force • By the end of 1942, Japanese conquered 150 million people. • They ruled by force and were extremely cruel.
POWs • Japanese were most cruel to the Allied prisoners of war. • They forced 70,000 prisoners to march more than 50 miles up the Bataan Peninsula. • Only 54,000 survived.
One POW reported: • “I was questioned by a Japanese officer, who found out that I had been in a Philippine Scout Battalion. The (Japanese) hated the Scouts…Anyway, they took me outside and I was forced to watch as they buried six of my Scouts alive. They made the men dig their own graves, and then had them kneel down in a pit. The guards hit them over the head with shovels to stun them and piled earth on top.”
Significance • Demonstrated the cruelty of the Japanese regime. • Japan seemed unbeatable.
The Allies Strike Back • Japanese seem unbeatable. • The Allies – particularly the U.S. and Australia – want to fight back.
The Allies Turn the Tide • Lieutenant Doolittle bombed Tokyo in April 1942. • This raised American morale. • Japanese no longer felt invincible.
Island Hoping • Strategy in PTO. Hop from one island to the next. • Try to conquer them all!
Island Hopping - Significance • Seize island that were not well defended but closer to Japan. • Strategy worked well and would lead to an Allied victory.
Battle of the Coral Sea • This naval battle was unusual because the ships did not fire a single shot. • Instead, ships were attacked by airplanes. • Allies suffered more than the Japanese. • However, they kept the Japanese from moving farther south.
The Battle of Midway • Japan moves onto Midway Island. • American airfield • Once again, the Allies break the codes and are aware that the Japanese are coming. • Allies waited until Japan launched the attack and then attacked the fleet. • 332 Japanese planes were destroyed. • TURNING POINT OF PTO
Battle of Guadalcanal • Both sides continue to bring in more troops. • After fighting more than 6 months, the Japanese finally withdraw their troops. • They lost 2/3rd of their soldiers. • Called the Guadalcanal “The Island of Death”.