sino-japanese war (1937-45) japan easily advanced into china chinese military incompetence made...
TRANSCRIPT
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