The Causes of World War 2 in the Pacific

The Causes of World War 2 in the Pacific

Historical DebateDavid Bergamini have argued that japan

had planned a war from the early 1930’s and the Emperor had been very much involved.

Other historians suggest that Japan was pursuing a more traditional European-style imperialist policy in Asia

Japan and the Long term causes of WW2 in the Pacific1. From mid 17th century Japan had been isolated from

the outside world by her rulers-Shoguns in response to the threat to their civilization posed by Christianity.

2. politically, economically and socially Japan functioned as a feudal state.

3. American Commodore Mathew Perry determined to negotiate with the Japanese to open up to Americans trade and refuelling stops.

4. The government tried to buy time and Perry agreed to return after a year.

5. The Treaty of Kangawa was signed between japan and USA in1854 which opened up Japan to the outside world.

6. 1867- power officially handed down to the emperor who came to be known as the Meiji- his government set to modernising japan.

7. Japan became a limited democracy and did away with its feudal system.

8. Rapid industrialisation and reform in military.

9. Introduction of conscription and adoption of german military principles and methods.

10. Followed british in their construction of a new navy.

Result of reform in military could be seen in japan’s victory over China in 1894-95- first non-European nation to be concidered as a world power by the West.

Also dominated Korea.1900- only generals and admirals could be

ministers for army and navy- thus strong influence of military in administration of the nation.

1902- Anglo-Japanese Alliance with Britain: if either power was attacked by two other states the signatory would come to the assistance of its ally but would remain neutral if attacked by one power.

This alliance gave japan a stronger position in its rivalry with Russia.

1904-Russians and Japanese entered Korea1905- Admiral togo Heichachiro destroyed

the russian fleet in the Tushima Strait ; 6000 of 18000 soldiers survived and only 116 japanese sailors killed .

Results of this war- encouraged japanese nationalism and expansionism

Russia- triggered revolution1910- formally annexed Korea

Japan and WW1WWI gave japan new opportunites to expand- joined

Entente and demanded German colonial possessions in China

Germans ignored Japan’s demand- declared war on Germany.

Presented the Government of China with ‘Twenty-one Demands’ in 1915 which would give Japan influential political and economical position in China.

Interenational response- hostileUS-japanese relations turned sour as US would not

tolerate any agreement that threatened its interests.

1917- USA joined WWI and Japan agreed to lansing-Ishii Agreement according to which US recognised Japan’s gains till 1917.

October 1917- bolsheviks seized power in Russia. Agreement between US and Japan that Japan would sent 7500 troops to assist White forces but Japan sent 70,000 instead.

Japan and Versailles: a mutilated victoryJapan demanded an annexation of the

german Pacific territories and inclusion of a racial equality clause.

German concessions on Shandong remained with Japanese.

Japan benefitted economically from WWI- lack of foreign trade resulted in Japn becoming more self-sufficient. Its economy boomed.

1921- Washington Conference-Four Power Pact, Five Power Naval Treaty, Nine Power Pact

Japan in 1920sWWI made Japan an industrial centre.Profits are not invested well, spent on

funding Chionese warlords who failed to pay back their debts.

Thus Japan’s foreign debt remained high- hit the banking system-printing more money- led to steep rise in cost of living

1918- riots over availability of rice1920- Japan embraced western culture,

architecture, music, fashion and sport.

1918-21- Under P.M Hara government introduced social and economic reforms, military was contained.

Hara led Japan into the League of Nations.Hara assassinated in 1921.

1926- Hirohito became the emperor

1929- Japan caught up in the Great Depression- demand for silk collapsed, millions unemployed. Then P.M Osachi Hamguchi cut spending by limiting naval expansion, cutting military salaries by 10%. He was assassinated.

Japan and the short term causes of the Pacific War1930s- military gained more and more influence, so

japan became more aggressive1931- attacked manchuria which alarmed USAThe army did not stop in manchuria but went to

Jehol.Relations between japan and western democracies

deteriorated for the following reasons:1. The West was alarmed by the bombing of

Shanghai in 19322. 1933-Japan left the League of Nations3.1934- japan withdrew from washington conference

displeased with having inferior navy to USA

Research TopicsNazi Soviet PactTripartite PactSino-Japanese War& Rape of Nanjing 1937

Immediate cause of WarJune 1940- japanese forces the closure of the

Burma Road, an important supply route for the Chinese.

America’s response- Banned the export of scrap iron to Japan which had a strong impact on Japan as it needed import of food and raw materials

September 1940- Japanese signed the Tripartite Pact

November 1940- USA gives Chinese leader a massive loan to resist japan.

July 1941- Japan invaded southern Indochina when Germany invaded Russia

USA, Britain and Netherlands imposed trade embargo on Japan

Crisis for Japan- danger of running out of oil-could not continue to fight in China

Japanese were willing to negotiate- America demanded Japan to withdraw from China which was unacceptable to Japan

Japan decided to get the resources by force.2 Dec 1941- japanese fleet began its journey

to Hawaii.7 Dec 1941- attack on pearl harbour

Airforce and navy

Attack on Pearl Harbour

Atomic bomb

Tragedy in Hiroshima

IMPACT OF JAPAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GERMANYJapan and Germany considered USSR as an

enemy. They signed the Anti-Comintern Pact

Japan signed the Tripartite pact with Germany and italy to deter USA from becoming involved in the warsin Europe and Asia.

11 December, 1941- 3 days after attack on pearl harbour Hitler declared war on the USA.

IMPACT OF JAPAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH USSRJapan’s relationship with Russia was tense from the

period 1907-17After the revolution, USSR was created- Japan was

threatened territorially and ideologically and so military planning was focussed in this direction

During Sino-Japanese war, Soviets were main suppliers of aid to China so there was fighting between japanese and Soviet troops on the manchurian border in 1939.

With increases hostility between Germany and USSR Russians focussed on hitler.

Japan signed neutrality pact with USSR in April 1941. With launch of Operation Barbarossa the Russian threat to Japan ended.

TO WHAT EXTENT WAS USA RESPONSIBLE FOR WAR IN THE PACIFIC?With the opening up of Japan to trade and foreign

influence in mid 19th century- the two’s relationship was strained at times.

USA suspicious of Japan’s alliance with Britain and did not want an Asian competitor to their interests in the region.

Japan was offended when USA set a quota for immigration in 1924

USA condemned the success of Kwantung Army in Manchuria and increased their aid to China.

Relations between the two deteriorated with the escalation of Sino-Japanese war in 1937.

Sino-Japanese War1933- japan signed a truce with Chinese

nationalists.1937- clash between japan and China at

the Marco Polo bridge in Beijing.War in china would lead to war in the

Pacific.Due to tensions in Europe Britain and

France did not want to get involved in it.