Which term refers to a major World War II naval battle in the Pacific where the United States defeated Japan and began turning the war in the Pacific in its favor?

• A. Battle of Midway
• B. Bank Run
• C. Axis Powers
• D. Anti-Semitism

Answer: (A)

This item tests your understanding of a turning-point naval battle in the Pacific and how it changed the war’s momentum. The battle at Midway fits best because, in June 1942, the United States defeated Japan and destroyed several of its aircraft carriers, crippling Japan’s ability to take the offensive at sea. Thanks to codebreaking that helped predict the attack, American forces ambushed the Japanese fleet, sinking four carriers and a heavy blow to Japan’s naval power. After Midway, the balance tipped in favor of the United States, enabling it to take the initiative and begin island-hopping campaigns toward Japan. The other terms refer to a financial panic, a wartime alliance, or prejudice, none of which describe a major naval engagement or a turning point in the Pacific War.