America Enters the War

What allowed the American Pacific Fleet to survive the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

American aircraft carriers were out at sea at the time of the attack.

Pearl Harbor

American military base attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941

What was the result of the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Congress declared war on Japan.

What policy did General Hideki Tojo pursue when he became the Japanese prime minister?

He focused on military expansion in Asia.

What mistake did General Douglas MacArthur make in December 1941?

He miscalculated the strength of the Japanese and was forced to retreat.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Coral Sea?

It forced the Japanese to call off their attack on New Guinea.

What was Japan's goal for the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Japan wanted to eradicate, or destroy, the American military presence in the Pacific.

Why were the outcomes of the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Coral Sea important to the United States?

They provided a shift in momentum and a boost in morale.

WAC

U.S. Army group established during World War II so that women could serve in noncombat roles

What organization put more than 150,000 women to work to support the war effort?

Women's Army Corps (WAC)

Battle of Coral Sea

World War II battle that took place between Japanese and American aircraft carriers

Which ships survived the attack on Pearl Harbor untouched?

aircraft carriers

Douglas MacArthur

commander of United States Army forces in Asia, struggled to hold the U.S. positions in the Philippines with little support.

Bataan Death March

during World War II, the forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war under brutal conditions by the Japanese military

What was the nation's economic situation after the United States declared war?

improved

About how many African Americans joined the military during World War II?

nearly one million

Which action led to the Bataan Death March?

the surrender of 75,000 Allied soldiers in the Philippines

Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?

to destroy ships and planes that threatened their expansion efforts

Why did the U.S. government set up the War Production Board (WPB)?

to increase the production of war materials

What was the purpose of the Women's Army Corps (WAC)?

to provide clerical workers, truck drivers, instructors, and lab technicians for the U.S. Army

Why did the government create the Office of War Mobilization (OWM)?

to supervise the government agencies involved in the war effort

What did the United States government do after declaring war?

transformed peacetime industry into war industry