Japan & the United StatesHow did we enter World War II?

Hedki Tojo

Hideki Tojo - How did he take power?

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1920’s - Tojo works his way up the military ladder in Japan.

1930’s - Led troops in battle in China

1940 - Appointed War Minister

1941 - Emperor Hirohito elevates Tojo to the post of Prime Minister

Hideki Tojo - BeliefsHideki Tojo - Beliefs

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Tojo believed in the Racial Tojo believed in the Racial Superiority of the Japanese Superiority of the Japanese people, especially over the people, especially over the Chinese. He was also ultra-Chinese. He was also ultra-nationalistic as well as very nationalistic as well as very militaristic. He wanted to militaristic. He wanted to expand the Japanese empire expand the Japanese empire throughout the Pacific Rim.throughout the Pacific Rim.

Hideki Tojo - Effect on world politics

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-When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Tojo became public enemy number one in the United States.

-Throughout his tenure as Prime Minister he increased alliances with the Axis powers in Europe and extended military control over Japanese Society and the Pacific Rim. Tojo was executed for war crimes in 1948.

Japanese Flag

Flag of Japanese Navy and Army Back

Hideki Tojo - Lasting Impact

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Hideki Tojo is, today, known as a man who led the Japanese into WWII against the United States. He is credited for increasing Japanese military, industrial, and imperialistic capacity, but also saw the end of Japanese society as it was known before 1945.

Hideki Tojo and Militarism

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Tojo and the Japanese military commanders believed Japan to be invincible. For hundreds of years the Japanese mainland was not successfully invaded. Japan extended its empire throughout the Pacific Rim and had visions of going quite a bit farther.

Japanese Expansion

Japan is expanding in the Pacific in search of raw materials.

Problems:

U.S. insisted of Japan’s withdrawal from China

Japan’s alliance with Germany and Italy (Tripartite Pact)

Negotiations over commercial treaty

U.S. had broken Japanese diplomatic codes

Japan wanted Indochina

Oil Embargo

U.S. freezes Japanese assets and starts embargo

U.S. cuts off sale of airplane fuel to Japan and cuts back on other natural resources.

Great Britain and the Dutch East Indies also participate in the embargo.

Oil Embargo

Japan cut off from its major source of oil

66.4 percent of imports came from Anglo-Americans

Over 80 percent of its oil came from U.S.

Oil Embargo

Japanese Navy’s oil reserves (2 years)

Planned for war after August 1, 1941

The longer Japan waited the worse its economic and military situation would become.

Decision for War “Hull Note” delivered on Nov. 26, 1941

Basically restated U.S. demands

Prime Minister Tōjō sees note as ultimatum and proof that further diplomacy was futile.

Japanese public opinion was firmly behind the decision for war.

Decision for War

Late Nov., 1941 – U.S. learns Japanese Armada leaves Japan / lost track of and thought they were headed to attack the Philippines

Dec. 6, Japan breaks off negotiations, refusing to leave China

December 7, 1941

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in Hawaii

U.S. fleet caught unprepared

2400 sailors died, 1200 wounded,18 ships sunk, and 160 aircraft damaged and 200 destroyed.

Only the aircraft carriers, by chance on maneuvers, escaped the worst naval defeat in American history.

December 7, 1941

Later the same day, Japan attacks the Philippines, Guam, and Midway and attacks British forces in Hong Kong and the Malay Peninsula (Singapore)

Global WarGlobal War

FDR – “a date that will live in infamy.”

Dec. 8, 1941 - U.S. declares war on Japan

Germany and Italy declare war on U.S.

With the Japanese attack on the U.S., World War II became a global war.

The U.S. would enter the war against the Axis powers and concentrate on Europe.

FDR – “a date that will live in infamy.”

Dec. 8, 1941 - U.S. declares war on Japan

Germany and Italy declare war on U.S.

With the Japanese attack on the U.S., World War II became a global war.

The U.S. would enter the war against the Axis powers and concentrate on Europe.