Maps: World War II in the Pacific

Japanese Imperial ReachAmerican Advance Across the PacificJapanese Predictions of a U.S. InvasionThe Firebombing of TokyoU.S. Plans for Invading Japan: May 1945U.S. Plans for Invading Japan: July 1945U.S. Plans for Invading Japan: August 1945 Select a Map

Japan began a campaign of imperial expansion in the 1930s that coincided with the territorial conquests of Germany's Nazi party and Italy's fascist regime. America watched events in Europe with concern, and built up its military presence at Pearl Harbor in Hawai'i, the U.S. territorial outpost in the Pacific. But few Americans were in favor of intervention. Memories of "the war to end all wars," World War I, made them wary of sending soldiers to intervene in what were seen as foreign matters.

Then, on the morning of December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. By the end of the year, the United States would be fully committed to war in both Europe and the Pacific.

Trace Japan's imperial ambitions, and the American military response, in these maps of World War II's Pacific theater.