1. Japan Builds an Empire Japan, once an isolationist country, had become an industrialized power after the United States forced them to open their markets to trade. By the 1930s, Japan was the strongest nation in East Asia and was ready to expand.

2. Growing Military Power Japan joined the Allies during WWI and took over several German possessions in the Pacific. Japan joined the Allies during WWI and took over several German possessions in the Pacific. Japan also became increasingly democratic after the war and signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an agreement that condemned war, in 1928. Japan also became increasingly democratic after the war and signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an agreement that condemned war, in 1928.

3. Economic Crisis As in other countries, Japan experienced serious recessions that hurt their economy. As in other countries, Japan experienced serious recessions that hurt their economy. The resulting discontent caused people to question the decisions of their democratically elected leaders. The resulting discontent caused people to question the decisions of their democratically elected leaders. Several radical groups formed. They assassinated several business and political leaders. Some military members even supported these groups. Several radical groups formed. They assassinated several business and political leaders. Some military members even supported these groups.

4. The Manchurian Incident As Japan’s population grew, many Japanese leaders believed that they would need more land to expand. They looked to Manchuria, an area in Northern China. As Japan’s population grew, many Japanese leaders believed that they would need more land to expand. They looked to Manchuria, an area in Northern China. In September 1931, Japanese soldiers stationed in Manchuria claimed they were attacked by Chinese soldiers. In September 1931, Japanese soldiers stationed in Manchuria claimed they were attacked by Chinese soldiers. They used this as an excuse to take over several cities in southern Manchuria. Not only were many world leaders shocked at this, but many Japanese leaders also expressed shock. They used this as an excuse to take over several cities in southern Manchuria. Not only were many world leaders shocked at this, but many Japanese leaders also expressed shock.

5. Manchuria becomes Manchukuo Japan announced that Manchuria had become an independent state under Japanese protection. Japan announced that Manchuria had become an independent state under Japanese protection. Japan sent more than a million Japanese to colonize the area. Japan sent more than a million Japanese to colonize the area. When the League of Nations condemned Japan’s acts, they withdrew from the League. When the League of Nations condemned Japan’s acts, they withdrew from the League. The Japanese military became increasingly powerful. In 1932, naval officers assassinated the prime minister. The Japanese military became increasingly powerful. In 1932, naval officers assassinated the prime minister. In 1936, junior military officials had several high ranking politicians murdered in an attempted uprising. In 1936, junior military officials had several high ranking politicians murdered in an attempted uprising. Japanese politicians had become afraid of the military and although the military never took official control of the government, political leaders were at the mercy of the military. Japanese politicians had become afraid of the military and although the military never took official control of the government, political leaders were at the mercy of the military.

6. Japan vs. China In July 1937, Japan resumed its war with China. Japan held the upper hand with its modern army. In July 1937, Japan resumed its war with China. Japan held the upper hand with its modern army. The United States and other nations spoke out against Japan’s actions in this war. The United States and other nations spoke out against Japan’s actions in this war. Great Britain and Russia sent military aid to the Chinese. Great Britain and Russia sent military aid to the Chinese. By 1939, the Japanese controlled all major cities. Chinese guerillas dominated the rural areas. By 1939, the Japanese controlled all major cities. Chinese guerillas dominated the rural areas.

7. Japan Looks Beyond China Japan took advantage of the war in Europe by seizing European possessions in the Pacific. Japan took advantage of the war in Europe by seizing European possessions in the Pacific. Japan announced a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere that would liberate the region from European domination. Japan announced a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere that would liberate the region from European domination. Japan really wanted additional resources for its war against China. Japan really wanted additional resources for its war against China. In September 1940, Japan allied itself with Germany and Italy in the Tripartite Pact. In September 1940, Japan allied itself with Germany and Italy in the Tripartite Pact. Japan next occupied the northern part of French Indochina (Vietnam). They then set their sights on the Dutch East Indies (ruled over by The Netherlands which was occupied by Germany). Japan next occupied the northern part of French Indochina (Vietnam). They then set their sights on the Dutch East Indies (ruled over by The Netherlands which was occupied by Germany). In April 1941, Japan signed a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union so they could focus on eliminating European and American influence in the Pacific. In April 1941, Japan signed a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union so they could focus on eliminating European and American influence in the Pacific.

8. The U.S. Goes from Isolationist to War Although Americans sympathized with the countries that had been attacked by Germany, Italy and Japan, WWI had been a lesson to stay out of those conflicts if possible. Although Americans sympathized with the countries that had been attacked by Germany, Italy and Japan, WWI had been a lesson to stay out of those conflicts if possible.

9. Neutrality The United States was focused on the internal problems of the Great Depression during the 1930s. The United States was focused on the internal problems of the Great Depression during the 1930s. Tariffs against foreign goods caused foreign countries to put similar tariffs on American goods. This is a move toward isolationism that also prolonged the Depression. Tariffs against foreign goods caused foreign countries to put similar tariffs on American goods. This is a move toward isolationism that also prolonged the Depression. The U.S. then started passing what were called the Neutrality Acts in 1935. These acts prevented the U.S. from providing weapons or loans to countries at war. One of these acts permitted trade with warring countries as long as they paid cash and transported the goods themselves (cash and carry). What was this a response to? The U.S. then started passing what were called the Neutrality Acts in 1935. These acts prevented the U.S. from providing weapons or loans to countries at war. One of these acts permitted trade with warring countries as long as they paid cash and transported the goods themselves (cash and carry). What was this a response to?

10. American Involvement Grows As the American economy recovered, American interest in world affairs increased. As the American economy recovered, American interest in world affairs increased. Americans were alarmed at Germany’s actions and most people were sympathetic to Great Britain’s cause. Americans were alarmed at Germany’s actions and most people were sympathetic to Great Britain’s cause. FDR began to look for ways to help Great Britain. FDR began to look for ways to help Great Britain.

11. Debating the American Role Three weeks after Poland was invaded, FDR asked Congress to revise the Neutrality Acts which they did. Three weeks after Poland was invaded, FDR asked Congress to revise the Neutrality Acts which they did. When France was overrun Americans supported “all aid short of war.” When France was overrun Americans supported “all aid short of war.” The U.S. sent 50 old destroyers to Britain in return for permission to build bases in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. sent 50 old destroyers to Britain in return for permission to build bases in the Western Hemisphere. The America First Committee was formed to prevent further aid to Britain. Charles Lindbergh was the most famous member. The America First Committee was formed to prevent further aid to Britain. Charles Lindbergh was the most famous member.

12. Lend-Lease Roosevelt won reelection in 1940. Roosevelt won reelection in 1940. Churchill appealed to FDR saying that Britain was nearly bankrupt. Churchill appealed to FDR saying that Britain was nearly bankrupt. FDR proposed that the U.S. provide war supplies to Britain without any payment in return. FDR proposed that the U.S. provide war supplies to Britain without any payment in return. This act passed Congress and by the end of the war, the U.S. had given some $49 billion in aid to 40 countries. This act passed Congress and by the end of the war, the U.S. had given some $49 billion in aid to 40 countries.

13. Pearl Harbor In response to Japan’s aggressive moves in the Pacific, FDR ended the sale of scrap iron and steel to Japan. In response to Japan’s aggressive moves in the Pacific, FDR ended the sale of scrap iron and steel to Japan. After Japan conquered Indochina, FDR froze all Japanese assets in the U.S. After Japan conquered Indochina, FDR froze all Japanese assets in the U.S. Japan needed oil and looked to the Dutch East Indies. Japan and the U.S. looked for ways to avoid war. Japan needed oil and looked to the Dutch East Indies. Japan and the U.S. looked for ways to avoid war.

14. Japan needed resources. They could attain them peacefully or by other means. Japan needed resources. They could attain them peacefully or by other means. Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor? Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?