Japan's Ascendancy in Asia and the Pacific War

Japan follows a policy of isolationism Did not want to be victimized like China

1853 American Commodore Matthew Perry sent to create trade with Japan Sailed into Edo (Tokyo Bay) Established trade port in Japan Sparks Japanese Revolution and industrialization in 1867 Britain and France also begin to trade

Japanese Industrialization Collectivization of Agriculture Creates population to work in industry Western education systems introduced by sending students abroad this helps to establish a knowledgeable workforce

War on the Mainland in 1894 The Japanese capture Formosa and gain economic interests in Korea

1900 Boxer Rebellion Japan gains economic power in China and with political power with Britain –Open Door Policy (American) –Japan gains interest in China by forming an alliance with Britain –Japan promises to protect British economic interests in China so that Britain can move her fleet

Russo-Japanese War Russia is Japan’s biggest expansion threat 1904 – Japan attack Lushen (Port Arthur) Russian’s are defeated Sign the treaty of Portsmouth Allows for increased economic interest for Japan And creates a new respect for Asian People

WWI – British Allies Japan occupies German colonies Most remain in Japanese control This allows Japan to control major sea lanes linking North America to Australia and the Philippines 1922 Japan withdraws forces in Siberia

Washington Naval Agreements :3 ratio Japan agrees as it still has dominance in Asia Anglo-Japanese alliance lapses due to large immigration limitations –Japanese are insulted 4 Powers Pact – promise to respect spheres of influence (F, B, A, J) Japan changes foreign polices and prepares for battle

The Manchurian Incident 1931 – Japan goes to war with the Guomindang for Manchuria Jiang busy with Mao appeals to the League of Nations for help The incident becomes a test case and reason for the L of N’s failure Send Lytton who identifies Japan as the aggressor Japan is insulted; however, L of N does recognize Japan’s economic interests Members due not wish to give money for a war in Asia America is not strong in the Pacific

1936 – Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany Alliance between Germany and Japan

The Pacific War 1937 Begins over a foolish incident Japanese made great advances into China including capturing the City of Nanking Raping of Nanking – 4 week assault on the city Jiang retreated to mountains and asks for foreign aid but he stock piles weapons for civil war 6 year undeclared truce called Japan controlled most of Eastern China by 1939

Continue US and Britain in the face of Japanese aggression sanction oil, aviation fuel, scrap metal On October 1940 – Tojo comes to power –Americans delay negotiations –Tojo plans attack on major cities and Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 Pre-emptive attack after six months of trying to negotiate a treaty Woke the Sleeping Giant Europe first policy due to German industrial capacity Between Japan has feelings of success in the Pacific (Navy led) Japanese Navy calls for the Greater East Asia Co- Prosperity Sphere “Asia for Asia” ( ;) with Japanese hegemony) 1941 – Japan signs Non-aggression pact with SU

Doolittle Raids American lead attacks on Japan from China Tokyo is bombed Allows for the US to break Japanese code Japan decides Midway Island would serve as a forward outpost in the defense perimeter

Battle of Midway Japan attacks Alaska to divert attention from Midway Island – not fallen for 1943 Japan is driven off Fight against Japan was boosted by the Americans luck – caught airplanes refueling Battle had high death tolls due to the belief that suicide was an honorable death Hand to hand guerilla warfare Yamamoto loses the Battle of Midway

Fire Bombings Fire bombings strengthen Japanese resolve!

Atomic Bomb War weary the Americans decide to use the Atomic Bomb Causalities of invading Japan were estimated high Roosevelt dies – Truman replaces him and is struggling to work with Stalin August 6/45 bomb dropped on Hiroshima August 9/45 bomb dropped on Nagasaki Soviets march into Manchuria