28: Chapter AMERICA IN A WORLD AT WAR
Q #1DQ #6: Describe the action in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945 that resulted in an Allied victory. Make sure to
note key battles and allied strategies in the Pacific. You must add a map to the back of your DQ clearing showing the
action preferably with arrows.
I.
II.
Churchill
III.
A Difficult Beginning (1941-1942):
A. Pearl Harbor (1941)
o Japanese destroy large portion of US Pacific fleet, but aircraft carriers survive, Navy hampered in early Pacific war.
B. Setbacks in the South Pacific (Jan.May 1942)
o Japan annexed many US territories in South Pacific: Philippines in May after futile defense ~ Japan destroyed US
airfields and much of its air power in Pacific right after Pearl Harbor
o Guam fell 3 days after Pearl Harbor, then Wake Island and Hong Kong (UK): Singapore (British fortress) fell in
Feb, Dutch East Indies (oil) in April, Burma in April
C. A Turning Point (May-June 1942)
o First victory for US at Battle of Coral Sea NE of Australia May 7-8, part of broader plan by US to have General
Douglas McArthur move up from Australia to Philippines then to Japan, Admiral Chester Nimitz, west from Hawaii
to Japan.
o Doolittle Raids (April), bombed Tokyo itself and illustrated that Japan not insulated from US attack- morale boost
o Battle of Midway, June 3-6, big US victory, 4 Japanese carriers lost vs. one for US, US regains control of C. Pacific
Island Hopping to Japan (mid 1942-1944)
A. An Initial Offensive (August 1942- 1943)
o Allies launch offensive up from Australia to Solomon Islands, Gavutu, Tulagi, and Gudalcanal
o Gudalcanal lasts 6 months, ferocious battle, ultimate Allied victory precludes future Japanese invasion to South
o After mid-1943, Japan halted offensives and began to slowly retreat
B. Island Hopping and Recapturing Lost Territory (1943-1945)
o Allies devised a plan, island-hopping under Nimitz command, retake island by island captured territory moving
towards Japan
o 1943-44, Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign (Tarawa, Makin, Kwaljein, Truk, Eniwetok)- cracked outer
perimeter of Japanese defense and destroyed Japanese supplies and supply routes, causing shortage in Japan
o June 1944, US armada attacks
o Burke-Wadsworth Act first peacetime military draft (prepare for war September 1940)
o Swayed by propaganda, newspapers (Hearst- isolationist) (after Pearl Harbor- capitalize on attack- unite nation)
C. Winston Churchill - British
o Prime minister lists of requests for ships, armaments, assistance (gets 50 destroyers WWI leftovers)
o FDR circumvent cash-and-carry part in Neutrality Act trade for right to build US bases on Brit. Territory in West
D. Committee to Defend America
o
Increase American assistance to Allies but oppose actual intervention William Allen White response- =
chairman
o
In those who urged an immediate declaration of war became Fight for Freedom Committee
E. Third-Term Elections
o FDR= coy, not share intentions choose Wallace as VP (previous Sec. of Agriculturetoo liberal)
o Rep, party Wendell Willkie (businessman) - FDRs strategy- evoke voter enthusiasm, unclear about war
o
Although elections closer than 1932 or 1936, FDR decisively won (55% 449 votes to 45% 82 votes)
Willkie
Policy of Intervention (1941)
A. Lend-Lease Program
o End of 1940, Britain bankrupt no more cash-carry policy
o New L-L program allow govt sell and lend/lease arms to a nation which seems fit US involve in economy
o
US shipping to transport supplies German subs destroy million tons shipping per month British
convoys
o
Hemispheric Defense- US defend transport ships in western Atlantic (neutral zone), patrol along coast
B. USSR
o Fall of 1941 Nazi-Soviet Pact broken Germ. invade Russia :: US extend L-L to Russ. Soviet- Amer. alliance
C. Atlantic Charter
o Fight between Nazi submarines and American vessels (Germans fire and attack American Greer, Reuben James)
Congress allow merchant vessels to be armed and sail into belligerent ports naval war against Germany
o Secret strategy that US to enter into war August 1941- FDR and Churchill off coast of Newfoundland release AC
o Common principles- basis of better future for world = war aims to destroy Nazi tyranny
D. Tripartite Pact
o Britain and France occupied, Japan extend empire in Pacific loose alliance with German and Italy
o Japan continued to move into Indochina, Vietnam despite FDRs warnings US embargo and froze Jap. Assets
o Prince Konoye attempt to negotiate w/ US but did not have enough control of own govt overthrown in Oct.
o General Hideki Tojo- new govt willing to negotiate but not compromise about China WAR!
E. Pearl Harbor
o 7:55 AM December 7, 1941 Jap. Bombers attack US naval base (2nd wave an hour later)
o No precautions- ships & airplanes = defenseless lose 8 battleships, 3 cruisers, 4 vessels, 188 planes, 2000 soldiers
o Unify American ppl- committed now to war December 8;war against Japan Dec. 11th, against Germ. and Italy
CONCLUSION: Despite much initial opposition to intervention in the earlier years leading up to an international crisis, FDR
found intervention in foreign affairs inevitable both because of his own friendships with Britain and the actions of Germany
and other Axis Powers. As Germany and Italy gained control of France and became more belligerent, the United States sided
with the Allies and Russia. Through the Lend-Lease program and other assistance from the US, other nations supported US
intervention. Ultimately, the attack on Pearl Harbor officially united the American citizens behind of policy of intervention.