WWII- The Pacific
Japanese Imperialism and Militarism
Rapid industrialization and militarization under the slogan - Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Military
Emperor Hirohito assumed the throne in 1926◦ Revered as infallable ◦ Almost “God-like” to
Japanese◦ Approved vast military build-
up and aggressive imperialism
Military had great influence in society and politics◦ Military soon took control of
government
Japanese Imperialism and Militarism
Island nation of Japan depends on imports for much of its resources
Great Depression led Japanese to acquire new territory for resources◦ Invaded and conquered large
portions of East Asia in the 1920s and 1930s
◦ 1931 – Invades and conquers Manchuria
◦ 1937 - Japanese Imperial Army marched into China's capital city of Nanking Murdered 300,000 out of 600,000
civilians and soldiers in the city Known as the Rape of Nanking
Japanese Fascism
Based on the Bushido Code - "the way of the warrior" ◦ Warrior code of honor◦ Willingness to
sacrifice life for Emperor and nation
Expansion of Empire ◦ Japan leaves the
League of Nations in 1933
Political opposition was not tolerated and political parties were outlawed
Media was censored
Japanese Leadership Prime Minister Fumimaro
Konoye (1937–41)◦ Distrusted and resisted military
influence◦ Loses job after failing to convince USA
to resolve differences Prime Minister Hideki Tojo
(1941–45)◦ Supporter of Nazi Germany ◦ Advocated “first strike” philosophy
against enemies Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
◦ Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet during World War II
◦ Responsible for attack at Pearl Harbor Hideki Tojo
Takes months to mobilize a army- American people become impatient- need a morale boost
Spring 1942- Bombing Raid over Tokyo◦ Led by James Doolittle◦ Plan- drop bombs, land in
mainland China and ditch planes
◦ Had no strategic Military Value This raid sent a message to
Japan- we can drop bombs on your cities
Preparing to fight Japan
Australia had become a major staging area for the U.S
Japan wanted to shut down the supply route to Australia
First battle here opposing sides never saw each other- ships v. airplanes
Battle of Coral Sea- May 1942
Bridge on the River Kwai
Turning Point of the War After Doolittle’s raid,
Japan is shocked- decide they needed to push farther east ◦ Sent 4 aircraft carriers and a
host of other ships U.S knew they were
coming- set a trap Japan lost- 275 planes
shot down, 4 carriers lost After Midway Japan will
fight defensively
Battle of Midway
The American strategy was called Island Hopping
Instead of attacking Japan directly, the navy would capture the smaller islands around Japan to back them into a corner
Island Hopping
Iwo Jima’s importance- had 2 air strips At total of 70,000 American troops landed on the island-
30,000 died Fighting took 6 weeks- almost all of the Japanese were
killed (21,000) If the Japanese would fight so hard for an island, how
hard would they fight to defend Japan itself?
Iwo Jima
