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The Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at its naval base in Pearl Harbor. At the time, the U.S was a neutral country, but when the attack occured, they declared war on Japan. The attack happened because Japan wanted to expand into Southeast Asia for resources like oil and thought bombing the U.S would negotiate them into giving up a portion of territory.
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The forcible transfer of 72,000 to 76,000 (Filipino and American) prisoners of war from the Bataan Penisula to San Fernando. The Imperial Japanese Army relocated the prisoners due to overpopulation and often engaged in physical abuse or plainly killing the soldiers on the journey. Filipino troops were originally tasked with supporting the American soldiers, but the Battle of Bataan was brutal, and many resulted in irreparable condition.
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Air raid by the United States on several Japanense locations. It was led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle as a retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the raid provided a boost to American morale.
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A navel victory for the U.S over Japan and considered a vocal turning point for the Pacific in the war. Because of Japan's crippled defenses after so many attacks, this shifted momentum to the Allied powers.
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The first Allied land offense against Japan in the war that was defined by the ruthlessness of the environment and warfare. This moment was distinctive because it marked the U.S as turning to the offense side of the war. The struggle in the Solomon Islands lasted for six, grueling months.
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An amphibious breach on the island of Leyte by American and Filipino soldiers under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. The attack was intended to isolate Imperial Japan from the Phillipines, their main access to most shippings. It was also an attack done out of pride by MacArthur, who had been removed from the Phillipines earlier by President Franklin who believed they would've been captured by the Japanese.
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A brutal, pivotal fight in the war where U.S Marines captured the heavily fortified Japansese island to establish airfields crucial to bombing Japan. This fight resulted in the iconic flag raising on Mount Suribachi and the preparation for the bombings.
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A major battle in the Pacific War on the island of Okinawa by the United States against the Imperial Japanese Army. It was the largest amphibian assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II and the purpose for it was to secure a close-to-Japan base for Operation Downfall. The influence of the battle was one of the many reasons that contributed to the decision of bombing Japan.
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On August 6th and 9th of 1945, the United States bombed both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This devastating act encouraged Japan to surrender from the war, seeing as how they didn't want to endure any more disasters. Around 150,000 to 246,000 people died, most of whom were civilians.
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After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, Emperor Hirohito declared surrender. Under pressure from the Allied countries, he signed the formal agreement to end the war, resolving many conflicts.