Sino-Japanese War (1937-45) Japan easily advanced into China Chinese military incompetence made victory easy for Japan Hyper-nationalism and Bushido/Shinto.

JAPAN’S INCREASING

MILITARISM AND NATIONALISM

Sino-Japanese War (1937-45) Japan easily

advanced into China Chinese military

incompetence made victory easy for Japan

Hyper-nationalism and Bushido/Shinto ideals led to an army that could survive all conditions

Bushido “Warrior’s code” Severe emphasis on

soldierly qualities Glorification of battle

and death Service became

highest honor in Japan.

Birth of totalitarian empire Mixture of Bushido and

Shinto (state worship) Social elites,

bureaucracy, nobility, military in control

Political assassination became common place

Army and navy fought resource war against each other.

Emperor Hirohito

Army-Navy “Game” Army and navy had

prejudices against each other

Sought to horde resources, manpower, and the emperor's attention.

Resulted in two semi-feudal states

War in China solved the issue

“Northern Strategy”

Dedicated resources to building aircraft and weapons for war with China

“Northern strategy”Conquer better parts of China and then

defeat USSRNazi –Germany made good ally as both

were anti-communistKnown as the “army’s war”

Failure of the “Northern Strategy” 1939 Two failures:

Despite battlefield success, no progress made against Chinese resistance

Army defeated by Soviet’s USSR signs Non-Aggression treaty with

Germany Northern Strategy fails

“Southern Strategy” Focus shifted to

supporting the navy, building battleships/carriers

Establish series of overseas possessions in Pacific & SE Asia

Navy would have to fight British, Dutch, French, and United States

War in Europe occupied the first three, focus was on USA

Why attack the United States?

President FDR placed embargo on scrap metal & oil to Japan

Japan had no oil, must import supply.

Without oil, the army would have to withdraw from China

Militaristic government would not allow that

What if Japan had not attacked Pearl Harbor? Conspiracy theories began to form

immediately after the attack Similar to 9/11 attacks

“FDR/Bush had to know the attack was coming! How could Americans be surprised by an attack on our soil?!?!”

“FDR/Bush used this as a reason to go to war with the Japanese/Iraq!!!”

Lack of evidence proving the attacks were surprises only fueled the fire

Would the United States have entered the war?

How might the war, international relations, and U.S. domestic (home) history been different?

Consider: defeat of axis powersuse of nuclear weaponsInternment of Japanese AmericansFDR’s reelection in 1944Course of Great DepressionThe Cold War

What if Japan had not attacked Pearl Harbor?

With your partner, craft a scenario that details what would have happened.

Consider each of the factors listed in your handout

Be prepared to discuss your scenario with the class

What if Japan had not attacked Pearl Harbor?

Despite your scenarios…

…the attack did happen…and US history and foreign relations were altered forever…

Aftermath of “Infamy” 2,403 Americans

killed, 1,178 wounded 5 battleships, 3

cruisers, 188 aircraft destroyed

US fleet had insufficient ability to wage war for over a year

US declared war on Japan, Germany declares war on US.

Why was the attack so devastating? Military not placed on high alert No torpedo nets in harbor No scout aircraft on patrol Anti-aircraft guns unmanned Army aircraft placed close together to

prevent sabotage rather than attack

Why did the attack happen? Absence of centralized intelligence

assessment Lack of trained analysts Lack of resources for intelligence

providers Underserviced rivalry (army vs. navy) What does this demonstrate about

international relations?