description
When Japan began expansion in 1931, their goal included control over many Asian countries, especially European colonies in Southeast Asia, which would help increase their resources after a long battle with China. As America realized Japan's goals for Southeast Asia, they could not risk Guam and the Philippine Islands to fall victim to Japanese takeover. Fighting back, America helped the Chinese government to strengthen resistance, and later, Roosevelt cut off oil shipments into Japan. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese had damaged/sunk 18 ships, costing the lives of 2,400 people, and leaving 1,000 injured. This caused President Roosevelt to declare war on Japan the next day. Japan moved onward with their assault of the Philipines and Hong Kong, which left them feeling invincible, though in May 1942, American and Australian fleet stopped Japan's goals for southward expansion. With their defeat, Japan's next goal was to attack Midway Island, which was also home to an important American airfield, which America could not risk, which started the battle. With another Japanese code broken, Chester Nimitz, the new commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet knew that the Japanese were heading to Midway. With the biggest naval force ever created, Admiral Yamamoto wanted to finish off the U.S. Pacific Fleet as well as the Island, and with the U.S. outnumbered 4 to 1, it seemed likely that victory would happen for the Japanese. The American forces used the technique of hiding along the horizon and allowed Japan to launch the first strike. As they were doing so, Americans had carrier planes attack the Japanese ships. The Americans destroyed 322 Japanese planes, one support ship, and all four of their aircraft carriers. After 3 days, the battle was over. With Douglass MacArthur, the commander of the Allied land forces in the Pacific, the U.S. would island hop around those that were not yet in control by Japan, so that they could efficiently cut off supply lines and starve the Japanese troops. After learning about an air base that the Japanese were building in Guadalcanal, the Allies knew that they had to strike before the Japanese could finish construction. The marines were able to take the Japanese airfield with ease, due to their unpreparedness. Both sides continued to bring in groups to fight in the Battle of Guadalcanal until it ended after 6 months, when Japan abandoned the Island.
articles
1. PEARL HARBOR- A summary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Known as "A date which will live in infamy", this article addresses America's surprise when the attack occurred, as well the severity of it's outcome and America's decision to declare war on Japan.
2.Pearl Harbor: A Rude Awakening- An article describing Pearl Harbor, also going further into detail about America's perspective and preparedeness. "Although swift in execution, the attacks had been slowly brewing for years. The US had once looked upon Japanese ambitions with a level of sympathy, even indulgence."
3. The Battle of Midway- This article summarizes the Battle of Midway. Also including Japan's preparation and tactic's in order to defeat America, the article discusses the flaw of the Japanese plan, led by Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto, which caused their defeat. "The force that had dominated the Pacific for six months was in ruins, extinguishing the hopes of an empire. Midway was that rarest of engagements - a truly decisive battle."
4. BATTLE OF MIDWAY- A summary of the Battle of Midway, taking place after Pearl Harbor. " Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States defeated Japan in one of the most decisive naval battles of World War II. Thanks in part to major advances in code breaking, the United States was able to preempt and counter Japan’s planned ambush of its few remaining aircraft carriers, inflicting permanent damage on the Japanese Navy."
5. WORLD WAR II IN THE PACIFIC- This article discusses Japan's goal for expansion, as well as what drove them to conquer other countries/islands. It also discusses attacks such as Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway, and many of their military successes which made Japan feel invincible. Lastly, it discusses America dropping atomic bombs on Japan under the presidency of Truman.
6. Japan's Quest for Empire 1931 - 1945- This article describes Japan's history, which ultimately leads to their goal for expansion. Starting with the Meiji restoration, we see Japan's expansion into Manchuria and their overall conflict with China. While Japan is trying to enforce their power, they also have political issues taking place at home. Lastly the article discusses Pro-German groups in Japan that take issue with Russia.
7. BATTLE OF IWO JIMA- Also known as operation attachment, was a major battle between the United States Armed Forces and Japan. The US captured Iwo Jima from the Japanese Empire. The Japanese Navy Troop fought through difficult conditions for a month.
8. V-J Day- Named Victoryover Japan Day, this article discusses Japan's surrender to the Allies in August, 1945, while giving an overview of Japan's past history within World War II. Japan was promised "the freely expressed will of the Japanese people" for their surrender. Though the formal surrender was in September of 1945, this was referred to by Harry Truman as the end of Fascism.
9. Major Pacific Battles- These articles discuss Japanese battles in the Pacific throughout World War II, such as Saipan and Leyte. "The final year of the war would bring bloodshed and hardship to the U.S. soldiers, sailors and Marines who liberated territory closer and closer to Japan's home island, and take a tremendous toll on Japanese soldiers and civilians as well."
10. BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL- This article summarizes the Battle of Guadalcanal, fought between Japan and the U.S., under control of Douglas MacArthur. "The World War II Battle of Guadalcanal was the first major offensive and a decisive victory for the Allies in the Pacific theater. With Japanese troops stationed in this section of the Solomon Islands, U.S. marines launched a surprise attack in August 1942 and took control of an air base under construction."
2.Pearl Harbor: A Rude Awakening- An article describing Pearl Harbor, also going further into detail about America's perspective and preparedeness. "Although swift in execution, the attacks had been slowly brewing for years. The US had once looked upon Japanese ambitions with a level of sympathy, even indulgence."
3. The Battle of Midway- This article summarizes the Battle of Midway. Also including Japan's preparation and tactic's in order to defeat America, the article discusses the flaw of the Japanese plan, led by Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto, which caused their defeat. "The force that had dominated the Pacific for six months was in ruins, extinguishing the hopes of an empire. Midway was that rarest of engagements - a truly decisive battle."
4. BATTLE OF MIDWAY- A summary of the Battle of Midway, taking place after Pearl Harbor. " Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States defeated Japan in one of the most decisive naval battles of World War II. Thanks in part to major advances in code breaking, the United States was able to preempt and counter Japan’s planned ambush of its few remaining aircraft carriers, inflicting permanent damage on the Japanese Navy."
5. WORLD WAR II IN THE PACIFIC- This article discusses Japan's goal for expansion, as well as what drove them to conquer other countries/islands. It also discusses attacks such as Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway, and many of their military successes which made Japan feel invincible. Lastly, it discusses America dropping atomic bombs on Japan under the presidency of Truman.
6. Japan's Quest for Empire 1931 - 1945- This article describes Japan's history, which ultimately leads to their goal for expansion. Starting with the Meiji restoration, we see Japan's expansion into Manchuria and their overall conflict with China. While Japan is trying to enforce their power, they also have political issues taking place at home. Lastly the article discusses Pro-German groups in Japan that take issue with Russia.
7. BATTLE OF IWO JIMA- Also known as operation attachment, was a major battle between the United States Armed Forces and Japan. The US captured Iwo Jima from the Japanese Empire. The Japanese Navy Troop fought through difficult conditions for a month.
8. V-J Day- Named Victoryover Japan Day, this article discusses Japan's surrender to the Allies in August, 1945, while giving an overview of Japan's past history within World War II. Japan was promised "the freely expressed will of the Japanese people" for their surrender. Though the formal surrender was in September of 1945, this was referred to by Harry Truman as the end of Fascism.
9. Major Pacific Battles- These articles discuss Japanese battles in the Pacific throughout World War II, such as Saipan and Leyte. "The final year of the war would bring bloodshed and hardship to the U.S. soldiers, sailors and Marines who liberated territory closer and closer to Japan's home island, and take a tremendous toll on Japanese soldiers and civilians as well."
10. BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL- This article summarizes the Battle of Guadalcanal, fought between Japan and the U.S., under control of Douglas MacArthur. "The World War II Battle of Guadalcanal was the first major offensive and a decisive victory for the Allies in the Pacific theater. With Japanese troops stationed in this section of the Solomon Islands, U.S. marines launched a surprise attack in August 1942 and took control of an air base under construction."
video
A colored film of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Battle of Midway.
Battle of Iwo Jima. (Until 3:30)
primary source documents
Pearl Harbor- A New York Times article on December 8th, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Instrument of Surrender- This is the instrument of surrender, which was an agreement that was drawn up so that there would be legal documentation of Japan's surrender to the supreme Allied Commander, southeast Asia, and all the Japanese sea, etc.
President Roosevelt to Emperor Hirohito of Japan- A letter sent from President Roosevelt to the Emperor of Japan on December 6, 1941, which was also the evening before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Instrument of Surrender- This is the instrument of surrender, which was an agreement that was drawn up so that there would be legal documentation of Japan's surrender to the supreme Allied Commander, southeast Asia, and all the Japanese sea, etc.
President Roosevelt to Emperor Hirohito of Japan- A letter sent from President Roosevelt to the Emperor of Japan on December 6, 1941, which was also the evening before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Maps
Japan's territorial gain from 1870-1942.
A map of the greatest extent of Japan's control, as well as allied offensives.
A map of the Battle of Midway, which also shows each fleet and a mapping of the attack.
Japanese expansion before Pearl Harbor.
Map of the damage done to Yokohama.