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Japan invades Manchuria
In 1931 Japan went into Manchuria looking for oil. They took Manchuria in a matter of months. This is win Japan started to become imperialistic. -
U.S. threatens to blockade oil
In July of 1941 the U.S. notices how imperialistic Japan had become. This causes the U.S. to threaten Japan, saying that they may no longer trade oil with them if they continue you being imperial. -
Japan/U.S. peace talks
After Hideki Tojo became Prime Minister of Japan he promised the emperor that the government would try to stay peaceful with the U.S. Tojo then ordered thee navy to prepare to attack America. The U.S. at this point had broken Japan's codes and knew about an attack on them. The peace talks continued on untill the day of Pearl Harbor making the attack even more shocking. -
Pearl Harbor
Early December 7th of 1941, 180 Japanese warplanes began to bomb Pearl Harbor. Dive-bombers came in one after another catching the U.S. completely off gaurd. For an hour and a half the planes did as much damages as they could whie barley being attacked back. The U.S. had jlost 2,403 men that day and 1,178 more were injured.
This day was important because it is the event that caused the U.S. to join WWII. When America joined the war it changed everything. -
Battle of Coral Sea
In May of 1942. Japan was looking to get to Australia. In a five day battle the first Japenese invasion was stopped. This battle all occured in the air, not having a single shot fired from the ships. -
Battle of Midway (part 2)
It began the United States' island hopping. Winning back island after island moving closer to Japan with each one. -
Battle of Midway
After breaking Japan's code the U.S. knew Midway would be there next attack. American naval forces moved to protect the island. On June 3rd the Japanese fleet was found and U.S. torpedo planes and dive bombers were sent to attack. This caught the Japanese off gaurd and there planes were still on their carriers, allowing them little deffense. The Japanese had lost four aircrafft carriers, a cruiser, and 250 planes.
This was important because it was a turning point in the Pacific War. -
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Island Hopping
After the U.S. took Midway, they began to island hop. Each island they obtained got them closer to Japan.
This is important because winning all these little islands put them another noch above Japan. Closing in on them was important and taking their island's helped the U.S. do that. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
After island hopping for two years the U.S. reaches the Leyte Gulf were a tough battle presents itself. Feeling the war slipping away from them, Japan takes most of their navy and puts them into this war. Trying a new tactic called kamikaze still doesn't allow the Japanese to win.
This is important beacuse the U.S. got past the resistance of the Japanese. If also leaves the Japanese with a practically usless navy as the U.S.coninues island hopping closer to Japan. -
Iwo Jima
After island hopping for two-three years Amierica and Allies wanted Iwo Jima. Taking Iwo Jima would give the United States a great position to attack Japan. Japanese troops heavily gaurded this island making a bloody battle. Only 200 Japanese survived out of 20,700 troops. The U.S. took Iwo Jima opening up the option to invade Japan. -
Battle of Okinawa
U.S. Marines invaded Okinawa in April of 1945 trying to get one step closer to Japan. The Japense fought back with 1.900 kanikaze attacks, killing almost 5,000 seamen, sinking 30 ships, and damaging more than 300 more. When ashore the war was even worse than Iwo Jima, ending in 7,600 Amercan deaths and 110,000 Japanese lives. The U.S. took the island after three months of fighting. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
In August of 1945, for the first time an atomic bomb, named Little Boy, was dropped on a city. It was dropped in Japan on the city of Hiroshima by the pilot Enola Gay. Hiroshima was an important Japenese military center and was brought down to dust in a matter of 45 seconds.
This is important because it took out one of Japan's biggest military city. It also caused Japan to consider surrendering. -
Bombing of Nagasaki
Three days after the Bombing of Hiroshima Japan was still hesitating to surrender. A second bomb, named Fat Man, was dropped on Nagasaki, wiping out half of the city.
This bombing was importatnt because it brought an end to the war in the Pacific and WWII. -
V-P Day
Soon After the atomic bomb was dropped over Nagasaki, Japan surrendered. V-P day was the day the war ended in the Pacific and the day that WWII ended overall.