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What were the goals of Japam in WWII?- To be the dominant power of Asia. To revive the Japenese economy from the depression. Take over areas of Asia to get resources. They called it the Create the Greater East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere- this promoted the cultural and economic unity of East Asiana, Southeast Asians, South Asians, and Oceanians led by Japan to "protect the peoples of Asia from Western imperialistic powers."
Areas controlled by Japan during WWII- French Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos), Hong Kong (UK), Thailand, British New Guinea, Philippines (USA), Guam (USA) Dutch East Indies, Portuguese Timor, Malaya (UK), Attu and Kiska islands (Alaska), Christmas Islands (Australia), Wake Island (USA), Gilbert and Ellice Islands (UK), etc.
Attacked but not conquered- Austalia, British Columbia (Canada), India, Sir Lanka, Mongolia, United States
US Commodore Matthew Perry sailed to Japan in 1853-54 and forced Japan to open it's ports to Western nations. Japan had been very isolationist for hundreds of years. This made Japan realize they needed to be more like the West and industrialize, moving away from agriculture to avoid being taken over.
Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japenese war in 1904-05. This made Japan the major power in Asia, replacing Russia.
Japan felt like a disrespected race and fought against the Allies for not taking them seriously. Before this, however, they did join the league of nations. When they were in the league of nations they promised to respect other peoples lands and not try to take them over. When the Great Depression hit, however, Japan was forced to take action to save their country.
Invasion of Manchuria- Manchuria could be used for military bases and Japan could force them to buy their products.
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We worked on Forum Posts
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When the Japenese invaded the Chinese they raped the women, pillaged villages, murdered, tortured, and much worse. Some of Japan denied its troops killing civilians randomly. All this still leaves tension on China and Japan today. Japan is guessed to have killed 6,000,000 Asians.
Emperor- ruled until his death in 1989. Emperors were seen as Gods before the end of WWII. They were "above politics" and turned away from problems caused by his country. He gave the OK to attack Pearl Harbor. By the end of WWII we made a deal with Hirohito for him to talk to the people and tell his people to surrender. If he did this, they would not treat him as a war criminal. They also did not treat him as a war criminal because they were worried the Japanese would be angry at the Allies and turn the Communists / Soviet Union.
Hideki Tojo became Prime Minister in October just two months before the Pearl Harbor Attack. Throughout the war, Tojo's power rose, but never to the extent of Hitler or Stalin. He supported Japenese expansion into China, he supported the alliance with Germany and Italy. After numerous failures and losses, he was forced out in July and was eventually executed. During his trial, he took responsibility for the war and took the blame off the emperor.
The US in WWII- We never signed the Treaty of Versaille- They wanted to go back to isolationism and didn't want to be dragged into wars all the time.
Main powers of Allies- Great Britain, Soviet Union, France, US, and China
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5 Power Pact- GB, France, US, Italy, and Japan made a pact to not try to steal lands and limited the construction of battleships and war weapons.
9 Power Pact- Guaranteed Chinese Independence and upheld by the open door policy.
Kellog Briand Pact- Pledging to not use war to settle disputes.
Neutrality Acts- passed by the US in the 1930s in response to issues in Europe and Asia that eventually led to WWII. We made these acts saying we were neutral when really we were picking sides and edging towards the war but still didn't join.
America First Committee- They were isolationists and wanted to put America First and stay out of the war. They were known for being anti-semitic.
Neutrality Act of 1935- Stop trading with countries at war. 36- Stop loaning money to countries at war. 37- Cash and Carry system- weapons included. 39- Cash and Carry system- weapons included (They get money from people at war buying their products while also using it to prevent countries from sinking their ships)
Panay Incident- An American Gunboat was attacked on a river in China by Japan. Japan apologized and said it was an accident and even paid the US money, but it still worsened US-Japan Relations.
Most money lent out by America- Great Britain, Soviet Union, China
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How the Draft Worked- Local draft bonds were set up from coast to coast with each male registered given a number between 1-7,836. In Washington, these numbers were printed on papers and put into capsules where the capsules were mixed up in a ball and some were picked out to create the draft order. One number drafted thousands of people.
Pearl Harbor- December 7, 1941. Battle Results- Japenese major victory. US Declared war on Japan. Germany and Italy declare war on US. US declares war on Germany and Italy. All 8 US navy battleships were destroyed.
Other than Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked Hong Kong, Guam, etc. on Dec. 7
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