Why were the Japanese ripe for expansion in the 1930’s?
Nationalism Emperor Hirohito: Emperor of Japan- revered as a god. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo: Military leader of Japan. Both stir nationalist feelings in Japan. Both support the idea of expansion.
Economic Reasons for Expansion Japan has few natural resources. Japanese population is growing. Ensure economic security through expansion.
The East Asia Economic Co-Prosperity Sphere Japan’s Manifest Destiny and Monroe Doctrine wrapped up into one. Japan had the right to expand and unite Asia under their control, because they were racially superior.
Japan Invades Manchuria- 1931 Manchuria is rich in coal. A puppet government is set up- Manchutko. US responds with the Stimson Doctrine.
Japan invades China- 1937 Japan wants to create the East Asia Economic Co-Prosperity Sphere. The Japanese are only able to control the coastal cities. Chiang-Kai Shek (Nationalist) & Mao Zedong (Communist) both oppose the Japanese.
French Indo-China Conquered (1941) Indo-China is necessary to capture what prize? Dutch East Indies. What stands in Japan’s way? The Philippines. How can the Japanese get the US out of the Philippines?
Tension Rises Between the US & Japan Japan importing 90% metal & 60% oil from the US. 1938- Americans shocked by assaults on Chinese – Scrap Metal Embargo. 1941- Embargo on Oil– Japan desperate. Embargo would end when Japan ends war & withdraws from China. Japan sets its sights on the Dutch East Indies. Sept. 1941 FDR freezes Japanese assets in the US. Lend-Lease to China- Military Aid: US sends the Flying Tigers to fight the Japanese.
Deceitful Diplomacy Expanding essential to future of Japanese national interests Nov 20, 1941 - Japan sent diplomats to US – negotiate. Japan: Cease aid to China End embargo Nov 25, 1941 - Cover: Japanese A.C carriers set sail US: Withdraw from China
December 7, 1941 – A Day That Will Live in Infamy Sunday morning: Japan attacks - Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 2 waves: 1st – 183 planes; 2nd – 168 planes 2,400+ killed, 2,000 wounded 8 battle ships , hundreds of planes Wake, Guam, Midway, Philippines
http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/
USA Declares War Dec 8, 1941- Declare war on Japan “Yesterday, Dec.7, 1941 a date that will live in infamy” –FDR Dec 11, 1941- Germany and Italy Declare war on USA WWII begins for the USA http://www.authentichistory.com/ww2/news/19411208_1230_FDR_Address_to_Congress.html
A Long Road to Victory