4. The Pacific War

1. Why did Japan decide to attack Pearl Harbour?

Lesson Objectives
To examine and evaluate perspectives on the reasons for Pearl Harbour

Lesson Tasks

Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
Make a table with two columns. The first column title 'Japan Responsible' and the second 'USA Responsible'. Using your completed 'Road to War' timelines, write down which events and historical examples each perspective could use to back-up their arguments about the causes of the Pacific War.
Make an essay plan for this question: 'Assess the reasons for the breakdown of relations between Japan and the United States in the late 1930s that eventually resulted in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941.' (15 marks)

Lesson Objectives
To identify the reasons for Japan's early successes in the Pacific War

Lesson Tasks

Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
Using this week's readings and questions, make a brief timeline of the key events and battles from the Pacific War up till June 1942.
Which of these reasons better explains Japan's initial successes? Strategy? Tactics? Or enemy weaknesses?

Essential Readings

Hane, M. & Perez, L.G. (2013). Modern Japan: A Historical Survey. Chapter 14 - War and Defeat, 329-362

Lesson Objectives
To identify the reasons for Japan's eventual defeat in the Pacific War

Lesson Tasks

Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
Read and make notes from pages 338-359 of Hane (listed below). Complete these questions based on the reading.
Using your notes for this part of the unit, complete this essay question: 'Analyse the reasons for Japan’s initial victories and for its eventual defeat in the Pacific War (1941–1945).'

Essential Readings