WWII in the Pacific Webquest

War in the Pacific 

Instruction: After fighting the war in Europe, America turned its attention to fighting the Japanese in the Pacific. You will be researching 7 of the most important events and battles of the Pacific Theater in World War II.  All of the answers can be found on the website listed for each event.

Bataan Death March -http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwarii/qt/Bataan-Death-March.htm

1. How long after the attack on Pearl Harbor did the attack on the Philippines come?

2. How many American troops were defending the Baatan Peninsula?.  When were they finally forced to surrender?

3. How many men survived the march to the POW camp? Out of how many? 

4. Describe some of the atrocities committed by the Japanese during the march.

5. How much weight did Ward Redshaw lose during his captivity? How much did Harry Steen weigh when he was rescued?  

6. Why do you think the Americans were treated so poorly by the Japanese?  

Battle of Midway - http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari1/p/Midway.htm

1. How did the Americans learn of the planned attack on Midway Island?  

2. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway to the war? 

3. What were the two reasons Admiral Yamamoto chose to attack Midway?

4. What occurred at 10:22 in the morning?  Why was it significant?  

5. What was the significance of the Japanese defeat at Midway?  

Battle of Guadalcanal - http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/guadlcnl/guadlcnl.htm

1. The Landing at Guadalcanal was the first American ________________ of World War II.

2. What did the American marines struggle against for 6 months?  

3. Why was Guadalcanal worth fighting over? 

4. After the battle both sides lost a lot of men and material. What could the US do that Japan could not? 
5. Look at the pictures. Describe the fighting on the Island. 

Battle of Leyte Gulf - http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari1/p/leytegulf.htm

1. What were the dates of the battle?  

2. What was the goal of the battle?  

3. Between the Japanese and the American fleets, which fleet was stronger? Why do you think this?  

4. For what two reasons was the Battle of Leyte Gulf significant? 

Battle of Iwo Jima - http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NI_Iwo_Jima2,00.html

1. Of the 3,400 marines in Major General Fred Hayes’ group, how many were left standing at the end of the battle?  

2. How many Americans were wounded or killed in the battle?  And the Japanese? 

3. Why did one American soldier describe the Japanese as “not on Iwo Jima, but in it?” 

4. Read the individual accounts of the battle, as told by the men who were there.  Which soldier’s story resonated with you the most?  Why?  

Battle of Okinawa - http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/okinawa-battle.htm

1. How many Americans were killed in the battle? Wounded? 

2. How many Japanese soldiers were killed?   How many Japanese civilians were killed (estimated)?
3. What began on March 18, 1945? 

4. Why did the Japanese not defend the beaches, and instead dig in to caves in the highlands? 

5. What was the battleship Yamato’s mission?  

6. Instead of surrender, what did many of the Japanese soldiers do?  

7. What were the Americans planning on using Okinawa for? 

Hiroshima and Nagasaki - http://www.english.illinois.edu/MAPS/poets/g_l/levine/bombing.htm

1. Why did the USAAF choose Hiroshima as its target? 

2. What was the name of the B-29 that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima? 

3. Using the data given, how powerful was the blast?  

4. What is the newest estimate of deaths at Hiroshima?  Of those who survived, what were some of the problems they experienced?

5. About how many people died at Nagasaki?