Military Strategies and Early Atrocities
Military Strategies of the Axis Powers and Allied Countries
At the start of 1942, the countries of the world were engaged in a global conflict. On one side were the aggressors, the Axis Powers of Japan, Germany, and Italy. On the other side of the conflict were the allied countries of Great Britain, the United States of America, and the Soviet Union. The Axis Powers had the advantage, thanks to their surprise attacks and early successes against the unprepared Allied countries. Both sides prepared strategies, or plans to help them win the war. In this interactivity, explore the military strategies of the Axis Powers and the Allied countries. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Bataan Death March
The Japanese strategy included the capturing of Pacific islands. When the Japanese invaded Luzon, an island in the Philippines, they were met by American forces, who maintained a base on the islands. The confrontation, named the Battle of the Philippines, lasted from December 1941 until May of 1942. The American forces were cut off from the supplies they desperately needed during the five-month battle. Sick, tired, and having exhausted their supplies, the American and Filipino armies surrendered. The Japanese did not know what to do with all of the prisoners of war, also known as POWs. They had to march these soldiers from the Bataan peninsula to a prisoner of war camp called Camp O’Donnell, which was more than 60 miles away. Watch Bataan Death March from eMediaVASM to learn about the horrid treatment of prisoners of war by the Japanese, and a “death march” that caused more than 5,000 United States causalities.
In 1929, Japan signed the Geneva Conventions, but never ratified them. This series of treaties explained how prisoners of war were supposed to be treated when captured during war. While you are watching the video clip, think about how the Japanese committed war crimes by their brutal treatment of POWs.
Japanese American Internment
Angered over the attack at Pearl Harbor and the treatment of prisoners of war in the Pacific, Americans became fearful of Japanese citizens in America. As a result, President Roosevelt issued an order to relocate all Japanese citizens into internment camps. The internment of Japanese Americans was an early atrocity of the war. In this interactivity, learn about the internment of the Japanese Americans during World War II. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Leaders of World War II
Many leaders contributed to World War II. In this interactivity, you will examine the profiles of various leaders who had an impact on the war. Specifically, you will learn whether the leaders supported the Allies or Axis, the countries they represented, and the various leadership types, roles, and significance of their contributions. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of this interactivity.
Military Strategies and Early Atrocities
Now that you have completed your investigation of the military strategies and early atrocities of World War II, review your knowledge in this non-graded interactivity. Click the player button to get started.