Credit to Matthew Baumann for much of the content of this powerpoint

The Pacific Theater

Japan begins to industrialize after the Meiji Restoration (1868)

Emperor elevated to new status

Created a Constitutional Monarchy

Supported by Shintoism

Japan Develops Army based on Germany.

Develops Navy based on England’s

Japan Imperialism

1894—Took Taiwan away from China

In 1910, occupied Korea

From 1894 on had resources from Manchuria

In the 1930s

Worker’s Real Income was down and unemployment was up

Depression blamed on the weakness of the parliamentary government.

When Germany became strong under Hitler, some Japanese started looking to Germany as their model

Gradually began to demand an “Asia for the Asians”

Japan Hit Hard by Great Depression

Militarism = the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.

After World War I, Japan saw itself as the dominant power in the East

It began to pursue policies that would increase their territory and their influence in Asia

Ultimately, these policies would lead to the outbreak of war in the Pacific

Post-World War I Japan

EconomicsJapan was in desperate need of natural

resources to fuel its industry and militaryExtreme Nationalism

Many Japanese citizens believed that Japan was the most superior country in Asia and therefore had the right to rule everyone else

Acts by Western PowersSeveral actions by Western powers were

motivated by the belief that Japan was not equal; these insults fueled imperialistic desires in Japan

Motives for Japanese Expansion

The Invasion of China BeginsIn 1931 Japan invaded the northern area

of China, Manchuria, which had huge deposits of natural resources like coal

The League of Nations did nothing

1937: The Invasion SpreadsAfter a few years,

Japanese forces moved south and invaded China

During this invasion they took control of the Chinese capital, Nanking (also written as Nanjing—same place)

The Rape of Nanking, 1937During the invasion, the people of

Nanking were treated horribly by the Japanese soldiers

The Japanese GovernmentThough Japan had an emperor,

the military had taken control of the government by this time

Emperor Hirohito could not stand up to the powerful generals, but he was worshipped by the people, who often fought in his name

The military leader of Japan was General Hideki Tojo

The need for more resourcesNext, Japan began to look towards Southeast

Asia for more resourcesTheir quest for territory and resources in this

part of Asia would lead the US to become involved with stopping their expansion

But more on that later….

In 1939, Japan’s Problems in Asia, not European

How to deal with ChinaVery threatened by Soviet UnionDidn’t want to antagonize the United

StatesCoveted Vietnam, Dutch East Indies and

other areas in Southeast AsiaBelieved that Southeast Asia should be

ruled by Asians, mainly themThey lose the Battle of Nomonhan to

Soviet Union.

In 1940

Tripartite PactHitler starts thinking about invading Soviet

Union

In 1941

April 13, 1941—Japan concludes treaty of neutrality with USSR.

June 22, 1941—Hitler invades Soviet Union

June 23, 1941—German controlled France agrees to let Japan take over Vietnam.

US places total embargo after Vietnam and Dutch East Indies occupied by Japan.

Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941—Japan bombs Pearl Harbor

Admiral Yamamoto terrified to learn that Air Craft Carriers not hurt

Hitler declares war on US

Bataan Death March Japan attacked the

Philippines in December 1941. The Philippines fell in May 1942.

The Japanese troops forced the sick, malnourished American soldiers to march 55 miles. After a trip on a railway, they had to march another 8 miles. 7,000 American and Filipino troops died during the grueling journey.

Doolittle RaidAmerica did a

bombing raid in April of 1942 by launching bombers from aircraft carriers.

Bombed TokyoJapan was

embarrassed, and resolved to destroy aircraft carriers, and began to plan to attack Midway

Battle of Coral SeaMay 1942: Japan moves to

take Port Moresby in New Guinea.

May 7-8: U.S. and Japanese aircraft carriers engage in battle.

U.S. and Japanese planes attacked ships. Ships did not directly battle

Battle was a draw, but since Japan withdrew it was a strategic victory for the U.S.

Battle of Midway 1942: If Japan took Midway, U.S.

would be forced back to California coast.

U.S. knew of attack. (They broke the code)

U.S. navy was concentrated at Midway.

June 4, 1942: Japan attacked Midway.

U.S. dealt Japan a decisive defeat. 4 Japanese aircraft carriers were sunk. America only lost one

After Midway, Japan did not threaten Pacific domination and was on the defensive.