JAPAN in WWII

Attack on Pearl Harbor DEC. 7, 1941: A single, carefully-planned and well-executed attack removed the United States Navy's battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire's southward expansion. DEC. 7, 1941: A single, carefully-planned and well-executed attack removed the United States Navy's battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire's southward expansion. America, unprepared and now considerably weakened, was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant. America, unprepared and now considerably weakened, was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant. So what happened?

Pearl Harbor Attack July 1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt had transferred the United States Fleet to Pearl Harbor as a deterrent to Japanese aggression. The Japanese military was deeply engaged in the war it had started against China in mid- 1937, and badly needed oil and other raw materials. The Japanese military was deeply engaged in the war it had started against China in mid- 1937, and badly needed oil and other raw materials. July 1941: The Western powers effectively halted trade with Japan. A Pacific war was virtually inevitable because the Japanese were desperate and schemed to seize the oil and mineral-rich East Indies and Southeast Asia July 1941: The Western powers effectively halted trade with Japan. A Pacific war was virtually inevitable because the Japanese were desperate and schemed to seize the oil and mineral-rich East Indies and Southeast Asia

Attack on Pearl Harbor November 1941: U.S. officials were expecting a Japanese attack into the Indies, Malaya and probably the Philippines. November 1941: U.S. officials were expecting a Japanese attack into the Indies, Malaya and probably the Philippines. The U.S. Fleet's Pearl Harbor base was reachable by an aircraft carrier force. Japan’s planes hit just before 8 am December 7th. The U.S. Fleet's Pearl Harbor base was reachable by an aircraft carrier force. Japan’s planes hit just before 8 am December 7th. Within a short time five of eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, with the rest damaged. Several other ships and most Hawaii-based combat planes were also knocked out and over 2400 Americans were dead. Soon after, Japanese planes eliminated much of the American air force in the Philippines, and a Japanese Army was ashore in Malaya. (now Malaysia) Within a short time five of eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, with the rest damaged. Several other ships and most Hawaii-based combat planes were also knocked out and over 2400 Americans were dead. Soon after, Japanese planes eliminated much of the American air force in the Philippines, and a Japanese Army was ashore in Malaya. (now Malaysia) These great Japanese successes, achieved without prior diplomatic formalities, shocked and enraged the previously divided American people into a level of purposeful unity hardly seen before or since. These great Japanese successes, achieved without prior diplomatic formalities, shocked and enraged the previously divided American people into a level of purposeful unity hardly seen before or since.

PLAY NATIONAL GEO MAP / SERIES OF EVENTS PLAY NATIONAL GEO MAP / SERIES OF EVENTS

Japanese–Canadians in the 1940s Canada’s National FlagJapan’s National Flag

Overview…  Early in the war, many Japanese-Canadians volunteered to fight with the Canadian forces.  Canadians were suspicious of populations connected with enemy countries.  After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, Japanese– Canadians began to be treated unfairly by the Canadian government.  They were denied the right to vote and to own property because of their association with Japan in WWII. Japanese–Canadians from British Columbia were forced to work on farms throughout Canada, often for little to no pay at all.

Japanese–Canadians in 1941  After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941, Canadians became suspicious of Japanese – Canadians within our borders.  There were 23,000 people of Japanese decent living in Canada during WWII.  22,000 of them were located in British Columbia.  The government wanted to protect Canada from possible terrorism, and formed internment camps for Japanese – Canadians.

Internment Camps  Early in 1942 there were several anti–Japanese marches in Vancouver.  In spite of these marches, only 750 Japanese–Canadians moved voluntarily.  They received hostile greetings from local residents in the Okanagan Valley.  The government was unhappy with the small number who moved.  In March 1942 all Japanese– Canadians were rounded up and sent to internment camps in British Columbia. An internment camp for Japanese – Canadians during WWII.

Conditions of Camps  Camps were secured with armed guards.  Japanese – Canadians slept in dormitory style wooden huts.  There were no flushing toilets or running water in these huts.  Quality of life in these camps was very primitive. Inside a Japanese internment camp.

Deportation of Japanese–Canadians  The Canadian government offered all Japanese– Canadians free passage to Japan.  People who refused were interned.  In 1942 the Canadian government began deporting people of Japanese decent.  More than 4000 people were deported, many of whom had never been to Japan in their lives.  Families were torn apart. Japanese–Canadians being taken to their deportation.

Loss of Property  In 1943, the government was given the power to sell Japanese–Canadian property including:  Houses  Cars  Shops  Fishing Boats  The owners of these items received little to none of the money. A Canadian officer meets with two Japanese – Canadians during WWII.

The Apology  In 1988 the Canadian government finally apologized to the Japanese– Canadian population.  The government agreed to pay $21,000 to each of the 1400 people still living who had been affected by the policy of internment.  Canadian citizenship was also granted to people who were deported. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney meets with Japanese representatives in apology for Canada’s actions in the 1940s.