In April 1945, the United States launched their final island attack of World War II on the Island of Okinawa. The enormous amount of casualties led the United States to decide to use the atomic bomb on Japan and end World War II once and for all, which lead to long-term peace between America and Japan.
World War II started when Adolf Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939, which led to the declaration of war between Great Britain, France, and Germany. Later, many other countries joined in to help. Great Britain, United States, and the Soviet Union formed the Allied Powers. Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis Powers.
Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor led to the United States' decision to join World War II.
Black Americans in World War II - image courtesy of history.com
Many island battles including Midway, Saipan, and Iwo Jima led up to the Battle of Okinawa, because they were the United States' previous island stops in their bigger plan, called Operation Iceberg. The Battle of Okinawa would be their final stop.
US Soldiers bombard Okinawan shore - image courtesy of britannica.com
America's main objective and reasoning was this: Taking Okinawa would provide an Allied airbase for them to send bombers to strike Japan. The invasion was called Operation Iceberg.
Japan's main objective was to defend Okinawa to delay the expected attack on their mainland.