Battle of Midway: a Turning Point in the Pacific
Sarah Nobles
Mr. Wetmore- 3rd period
World History AP
25 February2013
The Battle of Midway: Turning Point of the Pacific War During WWII It is difficult to imagine living in a country without the freedoms that are so easily provided for us in the United States. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (Declaration of Independence) are things that we have all grown up having, and most of us have not even thought twice about. Had the tables been turned in the Pacific War during World War II however, there is no telling where our country would be today; what language we would be speaking, what holidays we would be celebrating, what food we would be eating. There are countless possibilities, had the circumstances been different some fifty years ago. The Battle of Midway is known by many as the single most decisive battle of World War II, as it was the battle that determined who controlled the Pacific.
By 1942, while World War II was in full swing, the Japanese had naval supremacy over the United States in the Pacific Ocean War and possessed the advantage of deciding when and where battles took place. After an “operational and strategic loss” (www.history.navy.com “Battle of The Coral Sea”) at The Battle of The Coral Sea in May of 1942, and a humiliating defeat in the Doolittle Raid in April, Japan was more determined than ever to take back full control of the Pacific and demolish the US naval strength. They planned to do this by surprise attacking the United States at the Midway atoll and establishing a Japanese airbase there. However, due to the ignorance and over-confidence of the Japanese and the superior naval leadership by Chester Nimitz along with technological advantages, perseverance and skill of the United States, Japan’s ingenious plan rebounded. The Battle of Midway, June 4-7, 1942, is extensively known as the turning point of the Pacific War during World War II, as it was the battle that completely altered the outcome of the war and the point
Mr. Wetmore- 3rd period
World History AP
25 February2013
The Battle of Midway: Turning Point of the Pacific War During WWII It is difficult to imagine living in a country without the freedoms that are so easily provided for us in the United States. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (Declaration of Independence) are things that we have all grown up having, and most of us have not even thought twice about. Had the tables been turned in the Pacific War during World War II however, there is no telling where our country would be today; what language we would be speaking, what holidays we would be celebrating, what food we would be eating. There are countless possibilities, had the circumstances been different some fifty years ago. The Battle of Midway is known by many as the single most decisive battle of World War II, as it was the battle that determined who controlled the Pacific.
By 1942, while World War II was in full swing, the Japanese had naval supremacy over the United States in the Pacific Ocean War and possessed the advantage of deciding when and where battles took place. After an “operational and strategic loss” (www.history.navy.com “Battle of The Coral Sea”) at The Battle of The Coral Sea in May of 1942, and a humiliating defeat in the Doolittle Raid in April, Japan was more determined than ever to take back full control of the Pacific and demolish the US naval strength. They planned to do this by surprise attacking the United States at the Midway atoll and establishing a Japanese airbase there. However, due to the ignorance and over-confidence of the Japanese and the superior naval leadership by Chester Nimitz along with technological advantages, perseverance and skill of the United States, Japan’s ingenious plan rebounded. The Battle of Midway, June 4-7, 1942, is extensively known as the turning point of the Pacific War during World War II, as it was the battle that completely altered the outcome of the war and the point
Citations: "Battle of Midway." Battle of Midway. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013. "Battle of the Coral Sea." Battle of the Coral Sea. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013. "Doolittle Raid on Japan, 18 April 1942." Doolittle Raid on Japan, 18 April 1942. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013. "World War II." World War II. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013. "Pearl Harbor." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013. "About Battle of Midway." Battle of Midway. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013. Wouk, Herman. War and Remembrance: A Novel. Boston: Little, Brown, 1978. Print.