Download Japan 1931-1945 File

IBH2
Japan and WW2
Japan and WW2
o The Japanese had developed an impressive military and industrial powerhouse in the
first half of the 20th Century.
o The industrial development came at a cost – Japan needed greater access to resources
and they began a policy of colonial expansion in search of raw materials – oil, gas, iron,
steel and rubber.
o The Japanese met with little resistance in the 1930’s – leaving the League of nations and
continuing to do business with the US.
o By the 1940’s the Japanese realized that their policies would bring them into conflict
with the US – prompting the strike on Pearl harbor – hoping to cripple the US naval
ability to respond.
o Pearl Harbour was not as effective as the Japanese had hoped and only served to waken
the American war machine.
o The US was able to direct massive resources into both the European and Pacific theatres
and would contribute to the defeat of the axis powers.
Tommy
The War in the Pacific
o Pearl Harbour – 1941
o Pre-emptive strike
o US aircraft carriers not in PH – at sea – major factor in pacific front
o Major infrastructure avoided heavy damage
o Post PH – Japanese advances in HK, IndoChina, Burma, Thailand, China – plus other
parts of SE Asia
o Doolittle Raid – air attack on Tokyo
o Psych below to Japan – defend the home islands
o Battle of the Coral Sea – joint US/Aust Forces prevented Japan expansion towards
Australia – first defeat for Japanese
o Battle of Midway – turning point in the Pacific theatre – Japan would be on retreat from
this point – island hopping campaign
o Battle of Leyte Gulf – Philippines – Kamikaze – Japan lost 3 aircraft carriers – reduced
the Imperial navies effectiveness
o Iwo Jima – tactical victory – opened the gateway to Japan
o Battle of Okinawa – all out defence of the homeland – bloodiest battle – 110000
Japanese
o Manhattan Project – the Atom Bomb
o Hiroshima and Nagasaki
o Was it necessary?
Wendy
The War in he Pacific
o Japanese desire to control E. Asia and W. Pacific
o In 1941 – Japan’s military swept all before it…including Philippines and Hong Kong
o US internment of Japanese
o US turned its economy to wartime production – able to out-produce both the German
and the Japanese – both of whom were hampered by attacks on their homelands.
o With the halting of Japanese expansion at the battle of the Coral Sea the tide began to
turn against Japan.
Japan after WW2
As the war wound down the Allies were faced with what to do with both Germany and Japan.
They had learnt their lesson from the treaties after WW1, which in conjunction with the rising
threat of Communism, lead the western democracies to pursue a policy of political reform and
economic re-building in the wake of WW2.
The Allies desire was to create states that would be immune to the attractions of Communism.
They promoted democracy , the expansion of political rights, social reforms and economic
development.
These changes had a profound effect on Japanese society in the years after ww2.
Wei Qing
Occupation and Reconstruction
o MacArthur – political, economic, military and social reforms
o Stabilization of Japan
o Japan’s colonies – Taiwan and Korea
o 3 Phases
o reform
o economic development
o
o First Phase
o War Crimes
o Military disbandment and reform
o
o Economic Reform
o Land reform
o Abolish Zaibatsu
o
o Political Reform
o A new constitution
o Limit the power of Emperor
o Constitutional monarchy
o Political rights for women
o The Reverse Course
o Fear of Communism – China and Korea
o Control inflation
Third Phase
o End occupation
o Prevent spread of communism
o Okinawa
Jacob –
Meiji to Democracy
 Meiji Constitution in 1889 – imperial power
 No free elections or political parties
 No rights for women
Post WW2
 Potsdam
 Democratic reforms post WW2
 MacArthur oversaw the transition
 To avoid conflict – continued to support the existing Japanese govt
o Move to democracy
o Hirohito not divine – endorsed the new Constitution
o Political parties and openness
o Free democratice elections – women get the franchise
o British style democracy – Constitutional monarchy – PM and Cabinet
o Article 9 – abolished military
 MacArthur and US occupation ended in 1952
Reggie
Japan’ Recovery
 US occupation of Japan
 Reforms to build a peaceful and democratic Japan
 Economic recovery and rehabilitation
 Strengthen and not punish
Korea
 Korean War impacted US policy towards Japan
 Strengthen Japan – provide security
Devika – Women in Japan
Pre-WW2
 Structured society
 Housewives
 Limited economic and political power
Post WW2 – shift in gender empowerment
 Women enter the workforce
 Later marriage and fewer children
 Smaller households
 Age Relations – broke down some of the traditional social values
o Gave women a stronger voice in the work force and in society
 Geisha
 Greater political influence with the granting of franchise
Ardeshir
The Economy
 Pre WW2 Japan had an established industril base – switch over from military contracts
to peace time activities
o Automobiles and electronics
 Private companies developed rapidly
 New tech and management styles
 Special economic relationship with the US
 Article 9 small % (1% of GDP) on military
 Welfare Society
o Total emplyment..
The Dodge Plan – economic support for the Japanese economy
 Aggressive economic competition
 Lost the war, won the peace
 Working conditions
o Unions existed, but focused on employment
 Social Mobilization
o Support econ expansion
o Superior to others
o Nation before others