Japanese Expansionism & World War 2 1926-1945

Emperor Hirohito Hirohito took power in 1926. Japanese people considered him a divine ruler who could not be questioned. Battle began between Reformers who wanted greater individual rights and Extreme nationalists who wanted the government to have supreme authority. After World War I, Nationalists (military) were angry that US and Europe acted to restrict Japanese imperialism and military expansion.

Emperor Hirohito 1929- The Great Depression hit Japan’s economy hard and created social unrest. The military leaders used the opportunity to have the Emperor give them greater control. They eliminated their opposition and indoctrinated the country in extreme nationalism emphasizing complete and unquestioned devotion to the government.

Japanese Expansionism 1931- Military leaders staged an invasion of Chinese Manchuria. The League of Nations condemned Japan’s actions but did nothing to stop it. Japan withdrew from the League and became focused on becoming the Imperial power of the Far East. 1937-Japan expanded its take over of China. During the “Rape of Nanking”, 300,00 Civilians were brutally slaughtered.

Expansion & War Great Britain and US opposed to Japanese expansion but did little to stop it. 1939-Japan joined an alliance with Germany & Italy. Japan wanted to take control of British, French & Dutch colonies replacing the European masters. Japan was looking to take control of these colonies for raw materials like coal, iron ore and oil.

Expansion & War After World War II began by late 1940 all of the European powers were eliminated as obstacles to their taking over in the Far East. Only the US stood in their way. In 1941 the US placed an oil embargo on Japan because of their actions in China. This resulted in the Japanese decision to attack the US fleet at Pearl Harbor in Dec. 1941 and take control of the Far East.

Japan Loses the War The Japanese gambled that by destroying the US fleet and capturing Asian territories the US would not be willing to fight a long and costly war to get them back. They were wrong. The Japanese were unable to match the might of US industry to become a war machine. By late 1944 they were on the defensive.

Japan Loses the War The US was moving closer to the Japanese mainland but suffered heavy casualties in the process. After Germany surrendered in May of 1945 the US was able to focus all of its attention on the Pacific. Japan was ready to fight to the death to defend its homeland. The US was afraid of the high casualties that would be incurred to invade mainland Japan.

Japan Loses the War US had successfully tested the atomic bomb in July of 1945. Decision was made to drop the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th destroying 90% of the city and immediately killing 80,000. 3 days later a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Emperor Hirohito announce Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 15th.

Japan Loses the War Japan was in ruin by the end of the war. 67 cities were heavily bombed (often with napalm). ¼ of the nation’s material wealth was destroyed. The country was occupied by the US and under its military authority. Japan would have to rebuild its economy and government in order to once again be a member of the world community.