WWII: The Early Battles

Ch 12.2

Friday, April 20, 2012

• Daily goal: • Understand how Midway and Stalingrad are

turning points in the war.

Doolittle Raid

• FDR ordered the Doolittle Raid to get revenge for Pearl Harbor and improve morale.

• It was a political victory, but insignificant militarily.

Fall of the Philippines

• The Japanese captured and took over 100k American prisoners.

• General MacArthur promised “I shall return” after retreating from the Philippines.

Bata’an Death March

• The Japanese murdered over 5,000 American prisoners while they were forced to march 60 miles in the Summer heat.

Battle of Midway

• Admiral Nimitz Navy ambushed the Japanese at Midway island and sank all their Aircraft carriers.

• Huge U.S. victory – Japan would never recover from this defeat and it was a turning point, America was now on the offensive.

Turning point in Europe

• The Soviets defeated the Nazis at the Battle of Stalingrad. Hitler’s first major loss and his army would never recover.

Military LeadersPerson Significance

Admiral Nimitz

General MacArthur

General Patton