第二次世界大戰：太平洋（一週的訓練營）

Although it was action in the Pacific Theater that brought America into World War II & saw the world's most terrible conflict ultimately brought to a close, the war in the Pacific often receives less attention in many western schools, books, and films than the European theater, particularly when it comes to the land war in China & Southeast Asia. In this eight week course, we will use lecture, sources like maps, diaries, and images, and discussion to take a deep dive into this conflict. 

     Starting in the 1930s & continuing up to the late 1940s, we will learn why the Japanese Empire & the Allies fought at all, how they prepared for conflict, how they fought the war, & why the war ended in Allied victory. In our last two sessions, we will look at the war's aftermath to understand how it influenced the Cold War and modern Asia, how it still affects the region, and why it is often given less attention in many western history courses.

     Although the content of this course will include the discussion of warfare and war crimes, we will be focused on the academic understanding of the conflict. We won’t be showing any graphic images, descriptions, or depictions of violence, or focusing on the abuse  of civilians except in the context of the historical record. Naturally, parents should use their judgement and understanding of their individual learner to decide if the course is right for them! Students do not need to be experts in military history to take and enjoy this class, and regardless of whether students are new to the field or budding experts they will have the opportunity to learn and think critically!

Day 1: Why there was war in the Pacific, how both sides prepared, and the war in late 1941

Day 2: 1942: The Doolittle raid, Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal

Day 3: Early 1943 - June 1944: the ground war in Asia, Tarawa, & submarine warfare

Day 4: June 1944 - February 1945: Philippine Sea, Marianas Islands; resistance in East Asia

Day 5: February 1945 - August 1945: Iwo Jima, Okinawa, firebombing in Japan, the atomic bomb, and the war's end


One last note: for the safety of all of our students, and to ensure that I can work with each student effectively, I do require students have their cameras turned on and be visible at all times. Students who cannot comply will be moved to the waiting room.