War in the Pacific

1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?

The Battle of Midway was very important for the war effort and the allies because it was the turning point in the war. The allies, mostly Americans, had demoralized the Japanese a little and had raised pride and moral in America. People, including the Japanese were saying that America had avenged Pearl Harbor (referring to the attack at Pearl Harbor). Also, after this attack the allies began seizing and attacking all the other islands, in the book they called it "hopping" and "leapfrogging."

2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?

The strategy that the United States adopted to fight the Japanese was being offensive. America started taking action that pushed them forward in the war. They went and attacked instead of being defensive and defending their land.

3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?

The Japanese fought so hard on Iwo Jima because the island was so close to the main island, Japan. If the U.S. seized this island they'd be close to Japan and bomber airplanes would easily be able to attack Japan. The island was a major component on determining wether or not America or Japan could keep or get control. The island was so close to Japan that if Japan lost that island America would easily be able to attack the island. Also, the Japanese used this island as a major defense, it was loaded with the most men, amunition, and etc. to defend Japan.

4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?

The allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because so many allie soldiers had died. Churchill predicted that hundreds of thousands or millions of men would probably die in Japan. Also, they were opened up to kamikazes that detroyed many ships and killed many men. Then on land they weren't prepared for how much worse it would be thant he at sea battles. Millions of Japanese soldiers had died while hundreds of thousands American soldiers had died, and they also saw two generals commit suicide because they'd rather do that than surrender. The Allies just thought wow this is crazy, Japan must be a lot worse (or something along the lines of that).


5. What was the Manhattan Project?

The Manhattan Project was made to research and try to build atomic bombs. The project did become successful, and only a handful of Americans knew about it, the ones that were involved in the project. However, many Americans in the project didn't know what the bomb(s) were going to be used for, and President Truman didn't even know until he came into office.


6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?

President Truman decided to dop atomic bombs on Japan because he wanted to end the war and possibly save more lives (Allie lives). President Truman solely used the atomic bombs on Japan to end the war because he knew that fighting in Japan would be pretty much impossible. He saw how hard and devastating it was to win over Okinawa and Iwo Jima; so he thought that the best way was to drop atomic bombs. The Japanese even said that they wouldn't surrender, but after the two bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki they did end up surrendering.