Modern Japan

Contact US sent Commodore Perry with several warships convince shogun to open Japanese ports to western countries – Shogun opened ports – Rise of $ economy Wealthy merchants, poor shoguns – Restored power to emperor

Restoration Meiji Restoration – 1889 Constitution based on western model Legal code, Diet – Modern economy Studied industry abroad Improved infrastructure – Social classes Abolished Swords, military, education, voting

Empire Building As Japanese power grew, it began building an empire – gained control of Korea – Manchuria from Russia Economic depression, militarism – invaded China – attacked Pearl Harbor in Japan

Pearl Harbor

Tora, tora, tora Attempt to wipe out American Pacific Fleet 755 am – Two waves 183, 170 planes – 2403 killed War declared December 8 th, 1941

USS Arizona 1,177 killed

Tough Fighting Japanese army occupied islands – US Marines, one at a time

Divine Wind Kamikaze pilots USS Columbia – 13 killed

Decision Manhattan Project Truman: two options – Mainland invasion – Atomic bomb

Hiroshima Japanese rejected unconditional surrender – Fat Man Enola Gay – July 26 th, 1945 – 80k dead instantly

Nagasaki After Hiroshima, Japanese still refused to surrender – 40k August 6 th, 1945

Post ‘45 General MacArthur to fix Japan – Punish and demilitarize – Reform – Leave