1. Causes of WWII in the Pacific
Causes, Practices and Effects of War

2. Historical debate of Japan’s responsibility
Japan as aggressor
Japan as imperial power
Japan planned the war from 1930’s
Japan’s willingness to negotiate was a plan to keep enemy off guard
Aggressor- aim to conquer Asia
Japanese declaration of war blamed US- Japan wanted to liberate Asia from Western domination
European style imperialism
Japan didn’t plan for war, just took too many risks
Japan was creating a sphere of influence (like US did in Latin America)
Japan fought a defensive war- triggered by US embargoes. They had to act

3. TIMELINE of Events prior to Pacific War
See textbook p. 130
1919- Versailles Treaty confirms Japan’s war gains
1926- Hirohito becomes Emperor
1931- Kwantung Army invades Manchuria
1936- Japan rejects fundamental objectives, signs Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
1937- Jun- Konoe Fumimora becomes Prime Minister
Aug- Japan captures Shangai
Dec- rape of Nanjing
1939- Japan blockades Britain in Tientsin
1940- Sep- Tripartite German-Italian- Japanese Axis
1941- Mar- Signs non-aggression treaty with Soviets
Dec- bombing of Pearl Harbor

4. Background Info Mid 17th Century Japan is isolated from outside world
American Commodore Mathew Perry arrives in (wants to open up trade)
Japan signs Treaty of Kanagawa (1854)- opening up to the outside world
Improves military
Defeat China in the Sino- Japanese War ( )
Defeat Russia in 1905 with Britain's support (Anglo- Japanese Alliance)

5. Read pages
In groups answer the question assigned to you- fill in the Essay Outline- be prepared to present your answers
To what extent was Japan pursuing nationalist and imperialist goals?
How far was the military the driving force in Japan’s foreign policy by 1940?
To what extent was the USA responsible for the war in the Pacific?
How far can Hirohito be held responsible for the causes of the war between Japan and the USA in 1941?

6. Long term causes WWI- Japan wants to increase its influence
1915 US and Japan relations sour
Japan insists on political and economic position in China
US sees this as a threat to their interests

7. Long term causes
1917 Lansing-Ishii Agreement—Japan could keep the gains they made up to 1917 (recognized by US) but no more allowed
China feels betrayed by US
Maintained or gained land after Versailles
Lack of foreign trade increases Japanese self reliance= economic boom
Britain and US mistrust Japan

8. Short term causes Sino-Japanese conflict
1937 Marco Polo bridge in Beijing—nationalism high— fighting. Large scale fighting—need for raw materials—war with US
War with China leads to a complete takeover of Japanese government by the military

9. Immediate cause of war in Pacific
US wants Japan out of China
1940 US bans exports of scrap iron to Japan
Japan must import raw materials to sustain war (heavily dependent on US)
Tripartite Pact
Germany, Italy, Japan- “New order”, come to defense
US gives loans to China, political parties eliminated in Japan
Japan divided
Attack USSR or South-east Asia? (Germany attacks USSR, so they go south)
Leads to US, Britain, Netherlands embargo
Japan will run out of oil= Pearl Harbor

10. Japan’s relationships
Germany
USSR
USSR as enemy
Tripartite Pact (keep US out of war)
Hitler declares war on US 11 December 1941
Friendly with Russia
After revolution (USSR) Japan feels threatened territorially and ideologically
USSR supplied China
1941 Germany and USSR hostile- Japan relaxes- sign Neutrality Pact with USSR
Soviets declare war on Japan Aug 1945

11. TO WHAT EXTENT WAS JAPAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC?