Name: ______
Use the following websites to deepen your understanding of the major battles of WWII.
WWII in the Pacific –
- Explore It
This map shows major movements and battles in the Pacific region during World War II. Which Allied advance appears to be the shortest?
- Find It
Which of the major battles was fought in 1943?
- Follow It
Before 1945, the Allied advances came in two broad sweeps. From what directions did they come?
- Analyze It
Based on this mapping activity what challenges did the geography of the Pacific pose for the U.S. in delivering weapons, food, and medical supplies to troops?
Learn More About It
For the United States, fighting in the Pacific began with the attack on Pearl Harbor. It ended in August 1945 with Japan's surrender after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In between, American and Allied forces fought many battles against the Japanese. This map shows some of the most important ones. To fight these battles, the Allies had to move soldiers and equipment across the vast Pacific Ocean. Every advance—even the shortest ones—depended on thousands of ships, submarines, and airplanes, as well as the bravery of thousands of sailors.
WWII in Europe -
1)Why did Great Britain and France declare war on Nazi Germany in September 1939?
2)Why did Hitler invade Denmark and Norway in April 1940?
3)What was the Battle of Britain? What did Hitler’s Air Force do that caused great damage?
***Click on the tab for 1942-1945, and answer the following questions.
4)By 1941, how much of Europe was under the control of Germany and her allies?
5)How did Great Britain and her allies try to defeat Germany in 1942 without invading France? How long did this tactic last?
6)Why did the Allies have to wait until 1944 before they were ready to invade Western Europe across the English Channel? What is this invasion known as?
7)What new weapons of war did the Germans introduce to combat the Allied invasion of Europe?
8)How were the Allied forces able to capture Berlin by April 1945? What signified the end of WWII in Europe?
9)What did the Allies do in Germany immediately following the surrender?
10)Based on this mapping activity what challenges did the geography of Europe pose for the U.S. in delivering weapons, food, and medical supplies to troops?