South Pacific: A casebook
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WORLD WAR 2 

  • OVERVIEW: 
  • Japan wanted to become a world power, but had limited resources as it was an island. This meant that they had to import many resources, but this put them in a position of economic weakness.
  • Japan felt that it needed to conquer more land to become a more powerful world force.
  • 1937- Japan invades China.
  • 1940- Japan enters into the Axis alliance with Germany and Italy.
  • 1941- Japan has a new Prime Minister who sets sights on attacking the US.
  • December 7, 1941- Pearl Harbor, the US joined the Allies the next day.
  • The Japanese took much of Southeast Asia.
  • June 4, 1942- The Battle of Midway, prevented Japanese from total dominance in the Pacific Theater.
  • After the Battle of Midway, the USA was able to fight back against the Japanese.
  • US, under Admiral Chester Nimitz, adopted a strategy of “island-hopping.” That is, they would take the Pacific one island at a time and hold the territory.
  • 1943- The Battle of the Treasury Islands, “Operation Goodtime.” Carried out mostly by New Zealand forces, supported by the USA.  
  • 1944- American forces liberated the Philippines
  • 1945- US drops the Atomic bomb, which leads to a surrender from the Japanese.

Click here for photos 

Banner photo: Bryan Hatten in the South Pacific during World War II
(Photo Courtesy of Bryan Hattend)

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