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War in the Pacific: A Tale of Triumph and Tragedy

Explore the pivotal events of World War II in the Pacific, from Pearl Harbor to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Witness the fierce battles, daring tactics, and ultimate victory that shaped history. Delve into the strategic maneuvers and human sacrifices that defined this tumultuous era, revealing the relentless spirit of the Allied forces and the resilience of those affected by the conflict. Discover the untold stories of heroism, sacrifice, and perseverance that unfolded in the vast expanse of the Pacific theater, leading to the end of World War II and the dawn of a new era.

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War in the Pacific: A Tale of Triumph and Tragedy

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  1. War in the Pacific

  2. Preview • Think back to September 11, 2001. How did you feel when the Twin Towers and Pentagon were attacked? (Boston Bombing-April 15, 2013) • What were some of your immediate thoughts about the terrorist who committed this attack? • Would you have enlisted in the military if the President had asked?

  3. Pearl Harbor • Japan was mad at U.S. for interfering with expansion • Dec 7, 1941 – Japan bombed Pearl Harbor (Hawaii); U.S. declared war on Japan • Wanted to take out U.S. Navy so could freely conquer Dutch East Indies

  4. Used planes to destroy 18 battleships and kill 2403 sailors in 2 hours • Pearl Harbor was not only U.S. naval based attacked – Japan also bombed US navy in Manila, Bataan, Corregidor, Wake Island, and Guam on its way to taking – in Pacific Ocean by June 1942 • Wanted “Asian for Asian” and hoped to stretch empire from Japan to Australia

  5. War in the Pacific • USA Pacific forces led by Douglas MacArthur and Chester Nimitz fought to defeat Japan; needed to conquer Japanese-controlled island to get to Japan • May 1942 – Battle of Midway - first successful US defeat of Japanese navy

  6. U.S. and Australian troops fought to defeat Japan; Japanese refused to surrender and fought to the man; made fighting for island difficult • August 1942 – Guadalcanal – 6 month land, air, sea battle; Japanese kamikaze (suicide) pilots bombed U.S. Ships and bases

  7. Allies could never take all Japanese-controlled islands (too costly), so U.S. began island hopping strategy – capture some islands, skipped others; hoped to cut off Japanese supply lines and “starve” other Japanese-controlled islands • By 1945, U.S. won Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the worst fighting of Pacific War – U.S. suffered most marine causalities in these 2 island invasions

  8. V-J • Needed these islands as bases to use for invasion of Japan • Despite heavy losses, Japan refused to surrender to Allies; continued to fight to last man and used suicide missions to kill as many Allies as possible • U.S. faced with decision; invaded Japan OR use new weapon – atomic bomb

  9. Atomic Bomb secretly developed in New Mexico desert during Manhattan Project • August 6, 1945 – new U.S. President Harry Truman ordered drop of atomic bomb on Hiroshima; Japan issued no response; 2nd atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki 3 days later

  10. Video

  11. August 14, 1945 - Japan surrendered – Victory in Japan • World War II was over

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