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

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
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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).
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Activity - WWII Pacific Front Timeline - S2014.docx
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
Doolittle’s raid
May, 1942
Battle of the Coral Sea
June 3, 1942
Battle of Midway
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All fighting was done through aircraft
Americans broke Japans code and
Allies successfully bombed Tokyo
August, 1942
Guadalcanal
“Island of Death”
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Activity - WWII Pacific Front Timeline - S2014.docx
World War II: Pacific Front Illustrated Timeline
October, 1944
Battle of Leyte Gulf
(make sure to define kamikaze)
February 19, 1945
Iwo Jima
April, 1945
Okinawa
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critical point to fight Japan.
More than 7,600 Americans died
Kamikaze attack in which Japanese
June-July, 1945
Manhattan Project
led by General Leslie Groves
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Activity - WWII Pacific Front Timeline - S2014.docx
World War II: Pacific Front Illustrated Timeline
August 6-9, 1945
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
 Little boy was dropped on Hiroshima
February, 1945
Yalta Conference
Stalin wanted to keep Germany
1945-1949
Nuremberg War Trials
Allies put 24 surviving Nazi’s on
1945-1952
Occupation of Japan
US occupied Japan.
MacArthur.
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Activity - WWII Pacific Front Timeline - S2014.docx