War in the Pacific

1. In what ways were the American victory at Midway and the Japanese triumph at Pearl Harbor alike?      
They were a like because they both involved destroying the other sides ships and planes. Both of them were also triumphs where one sides completely destroyed the other side. One of the Japanese officials that was at Midway said that the United States got its revenge on Pearl Harbor, but it was worse for the Japanese because in the Battle of Midway the Americans destroyed some of the Japanese's aircraft carriers. 


2. Why was the Battle of Leyte Gulf so crucial to the Allies?      
It was crucial for the Allies because the Japanese lost so much during the Battle of Leyte. In the battle the Japanese threw their entire fleet into it and they tried a new tactic called kamikaze which were suicide planes that crashed into the Allied ships. The battle ended in just three days, and the Japanese lost 3 battleships, 4 aircraft carriers, 13 cruisers and almost 500 planes. After this battle the Japanese Navy just played a minor role in defense of Japan.  


3. Why was Okinawa a significant island in the war in the Pacific?      
Okainawa was a significant island in the war because the Allies were able to bomb the mainland of Japan from there. Also it was a place that would open their way in invading the mainland of Japan. 


4. What was the Manhattan Project? And who was J. Robert Oppenheimer?        
The Manhattan Project was a project led by General Leslie Grove, which was the creation of the atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer was the man that developed the atomic bomb. At the peak of created it more than 600,000 Americans were working on it, and it was the best kept secret of the war. 


5. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?      
Roosevelt had two reasons to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany. One reason was that he had hoped that Stalin would keep his commitment and help fight against Japan in the Pacific war once Germany was defeated. Second, Roosevelt wanted Stalin to support for a new world peace organization, called the United Nations. 


6. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?        
The decisions that were made during the Yalta Conference were the Germany would temporarily be four zones; one for each country, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and the United States. Another decision made was that Stalin agreed to attend an international conference in April in San Francisco, where the United Nations would be formed. Stalin also promised a 'free and fettered' election in Poland and other Soviet occupied Eastern Europe counties. Lastly, Stalin agreed to help in the war against the Japanese in the Pacific. 


7. At the trials, many Nazis defended themselves by saying they were only following orders. What does this rationale tell you about the German military? Why was it important to negate this justification?   
The German military was very loyal to Hitler and would do whatever he asked of them, even the cruel things like working at the death camps. They tried to get out of getting charged for their crimes by saying that they were just taking orders, even though some of the people on trial were very close to Hitler, but once he is gone they turn on him. It is important to negate this justification because the individuals were responsible for their actions, even in the time of war.