Japanese Expansion and the Origins of World War II in Asia Reading: Spodek, pp , , (reread)

Japan begins to industrialize after the Meiji Restoration 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

Japan Hit Hard by Great Depression 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”

Japanese Army takes over Manchuria Takes over in Changes the name to Manchukuo Makes it a puppet state under Pui-Yi “China’s Last Emperor”

The League of Nations League of Nations protests Japan’s invasion of Manchuria. Japan walks out of the League of Nations which is not able to do anything

Japan declares War on China On July 7, 1937, Japan finally declares war on China. Conquers vast amounts of Chinese territory Can be considered to be the beginning of World War II No one stopped Japan, even though US thinking that Japan was an aggressor state. Previously US had admired Japan for its “westernization.”

In 1938 November 3, 1938– Prime Minister Konoe Creates a New Puppet State under Wang Ching-Wei Proclaims “Japan’s New Order in East Asia” to parallel Hitler’s “New Order in Europe” Entire time Japan is constantly in little border wars with the Soviet Union Shocked when Nazi-Soviet Pact Announced in 1939.

In 1939, Japan’s Problems in Asia, not European How to deal with China Very threatened by Soviet Union Didn’t want to antagonize the United States Coveted Vietnam, Dutch East Indies and other areas in Southeast Asia Believed that Southeast Asia should be ruled by Asians, mainly them They lose the Battle of Nomonhan to Soviet Union.

In 1940 Tripartite Pact Hitler 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

Reasons why Japan launched war in Asia To Protect position in China, especially Manchuria To gain new colonies and Raw Materials To preserve conservative government of Japan To combat communism, especially China

What happened and Reasons why US fought Germany first. Japan lost entire colonial empire US insisted on dismantling traditional government, Emperor Japanese Occupation Fostered Intensification of Communism US decision was based on: Facts that Japan won rapid victories and started occupying different places

What was the response to Japanese Imperialism? Nationalism Anti-Japanese independence movements in the Philippines Dutch ruled through minorities Vietnam during the war and after the war!