Origins of World War II in Asia

Japanese Expansion and the Origins of World War II in AsiaReading: Smith, et al., 935-9361Japan begins to industrialize after the Meiji Restoration

Emperor elevated to new statusCreated a Constitutional MonarchySupported by ShintoismJapan Develops Army based on Germany.Develops Navy based on Englands2Japan Imperialism

1894Took Taiwan away from China

In 1910, occupied Korea

From 1894 on had resources from Manchuria3Japan Hit Hard by Great DepressionIn the 1930s

Workers Real Income was down and unemployment was up

Depression blamed on the weakness of the parliamentary government.

When Germany became strong under Hitler, some Japanese started looking to Germany as their model

Gradually began to demand an Asia for the Asians

4Japanese Army takes over Manchuria

Takes over in 1932.Changes the name to ManchukuoMakes it a puppet state under Pui-Yi Chinas Last Emperor5The League of Nations

League of Nations protests Japans invasion of Manchuria.Japan walks out of the League of Nations which is not able to do anything

6Japanese Fascism?

Japan declares War on ChinaOn July 7, 1937, Japan finally declares war on China.Conquers vast amounts of Chinese territoryCan be considered to be the beginning of World War IINo one stopped Japan, even though US thinking that Japan was an aggressor state.Previously US had admired Japan for its westernization.

8In 1938November 3, 1938 Prime Minister Konoe Creates a New Puppet State under Wang Ching-WeiProclaims Japans New Order in East Asia to parallel Hitlers New Order in EuropeEntire time Japan is constantly in little border wars with the Soviet UnionShocked when Nazi-Soviet Pact Announced in 1939.9In 1939, Japans Problems in Asia, not EuropeanHow to deal with ChinaVery threatened by Soviet UnionDidnt want to antagonize the United StatesCoveted Vietnam, Dutch East Indies and other areas in Southeast AsiaBelieved that Southeast Asia should be ruled by Asians, mainly themThey lose the Battle of Nomonhan to Soviet Union.10In 1940

Tripartite PactHitler starts thinking about invading Soviet Union

11In 1941

April 13, 1941Japan concludes treaty of neutrality with USSR.June 22, 1941Hitler invades Soviet UnionJune 23, 1941German controlled France agrees to let Japan take over Vietnam.US places total embargo after Vietnam and Dutch East Indies occupied by Japan.

12Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941Japan bombs Pearl HarborAdmiral Yamamoto terrified to learn that Air Craft Carriers not hurtHitler declares war on US13

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15Reasons why Japan launched war in AsiaTo Protect position in China, especially ManchuriaTo gain new colonies and Raw MaterialsTo preserve conservative government of JapanTo combat communism, especially China16What happened?

Japan lost entire colonial empireUS insisted on dismantling traditional government, EmperorJapanese Occupation Fostered Intensification of Communism17