WWII Map of the Pacific
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, targeting airfields and the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attack killed over 2,400 Americans and led to the U.S. entering World War II. It sparked unified national support for the war effort.
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
December 7, 1941. Attack begins. Japanese Zeros hit Wheeler + Hickam air fields to knock out air defenses. Other planes targeted ships in harbor. 2,400 Americans killed, 1,200 wounded, 200 war planes destroyed, 18 warships damaged/destroyed. Japan lost 29 planes + fewer than 100 people. Japan didn't get oil reserves, entire fleet, air-craft carriers. Dec. 8-Congress declared war on Japan. Dec. 11- Germany + Italy declared war on US. *Unified US support for war effort.

Key Terms
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
December 7, 1941. Attack begins. Japanese Zeros hit Wheeler + Hickam air fields to knock out air defenses. Other planes targeted ships in harbor. 2...
Battle of Midway Island
Fought with aircraft. Japan lost 4 aircraft carriers. 1st big US victory in Pacific + turning point in Pacific War. Aleutian islands of Kiska and A...
Battle of the Coral Sea
May 1942. First battle fought solely by aircraft. US carrier task force with Australian help inflicted heavy loss on Japanese. Japan moved to seize...
Battle of Iwo Jima
February/March 1945. Volcanic island near the main island of Japan. Provided a base for damaged aircraft, once the Allies seized it.
Battle of Okinawa
April/June 1945. Well-defended island by the Japanese, with thousands of tunnels and caves. Japanese kamikazes (suicide pilots) sunk over 30 US shi...
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Japan's navy tried to destroy MacArthur's transports + supply ships. US destroyed what was left of Japanese fleet + captured Leyte.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941. Attack begins. Japanese Zeros hit Wheeler + Hickam air fields to knock out air defenses. Other planes targeted ships in harbor. 2,400 Americans killed, 1,200 wounded, 200 war planes destroyed, 18 warships damaged/destroyed. Japan lost 29 planes + fewer than 100 people. Japan didn't get oil reserves, entire fleet, air-craft carriers. Dec. 8-Congress declared war on Japan. Dec. 11- Germany + Italy declared war on US. *Unified US support for war effort. |
Battle of Midway Island | Fought with aircraft. Japan lost 4 aircraft carriers. 1st big US victory in Pacific + turning point in Pacific War. Aleutian islands of Kiska and Attu were seized. |
Battle of the Coral Sea | May 1942. First battle fought solely by aircraft. US carrier task force with Australian help inflicted heavy loss on Japanese. Japan moved to seize Midway Island. |
Battle of Iwo Jima | February/March 1945. Volcanic island near the main island of Japan. Provided a base for damaged aircraft, once the Allies seized it. |
Battle of Okinawa | April/June 1945. Well-defended island by the Japanese, with thousands of tunnels and caves. Japanese kamikazes (suicide pilots) sunk over 30 US ships. Costliest engagement of the Pacific War. |
Battle of Leyte Gulf | Japan's navy tried to destroy MacArthur's transports + supply ships. US destroyed what was left of Japanese fleet + captured Leyte. |
Guam | June 1944. US recaptured Guam in the Marianas, allowing for roundtrip bombing raids on Japan's home islands. |
Hiroshima & Nagasaki | August 6/9, 1945. Atomic bombs were dropped on these two , Japanese military cities, killing over 200,000 people. Japan asked for conditional surrender, to keep Emperor Hirohito. |