Victory Over Japan

Island Hopping in the Pacific1. Conquering islands on route to Japan

1. Prevents ships and planes from having to make extraordinary long journey’s

2. Sets up a network of defense points3. Very successful strategy for the United States in its war with

Japan

Iwo Jima1. Part of the island hopping strategy2. United States realized it needed a decent sized island

closer to main land Japan3. Japanese were ready for the Americans

1. 1 out of 10 marines involved were killed4. America won the battle, and it proved to be a crucial

victory

Firebombing Japan1. Smaller bombs than normal, but designed to spread fire

instead of shooting shrapnel1. Many Japanese buildings are made of wood2. Allowed for mass fires to spread causing maximum damage

1. Bombs were used against urban area’s, (Tokyo, etc). More than half of Tokyo’s urban area’s had been firebombed.

2. Bombs caused much controversy because of the mass amounts of civilians being killed

3. Bombs were very effective though in doing considerable damage to Japan’s ability to produce war materials

The Terms for Surrender1. U.S. wanted unconditional surrender from Japan

1. The Japanese were not willing to give up the Emperor1. The United States put itself in position to invade mainland Japan2. The United States also began developing plans to drop the first

ever atomic bomb

Hiroshima and Nagasaki The Japanese are warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if they did

not surrender. The Japanese do not surrender. The atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. “Little Boy” destroys 63% of the city and killed 80,000-120,000 people

instantly.

Ending World War II “Fat Man” is dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. 35,000 to 74,000 die instantly. Japan surrenders on August 15, 1945. V-J Day; Victory over Japan. World War II ends.

Congratulations, you are now masters of the defeat of Japan in World War II!!!