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Outbreak of WWII in the Asia PacificTo what extent was Japan forced to wage WWII in the Asia Pacific

Where is Asia-Pacific

To what extent was Japan forced to wage WWII in the Asia PacificConsider:Whether Japan had no choice but to fight?What were these reasons why Japan waged war in Asia Pacific?

When we look at the word forced what exactly is it saying about Japan4

Context - BackgroundMeiji Restoration (1868)The emperor became the most powerful political figureMeiji emperor strengthened Japan through modernisation and industrialisationHe was supported by the military

Context - BackgroundJapans historical and cultural legaciesShogun legacy of military leadersSamurai Code no backing down or surrendering, it was seen as a dishonourable actShintoism - cult of the Emperor

Reasons for Japanese Aggression in Asia-PacificJapans ambition to establish itself in Asia and EuropeCrisis in JapanJapanese expansionist policyWeakness of the League of NationsJapans response to world developments in the 1930s

1. Japans ambition to establish itself in Asia and EuropeJapan wanted to be considered as an equal amongst the Western powers which had built empires and controlled large territories. Its relations with external powers played a major role in influencing Japanese opinions and attitudes towards war.

Conflict with RussiaRussias attempt at establishing a permanent military and naval base in Manchuria was seen by the Japanese government as a security threat to Japan and interests and influence in Korea. Japan was initially willing to negotiate with Russia Russian influence in Manchuria in exchange for Japanese influence in Korea. Russia was not interested as it saw Japan as less powerful and inferior.

Conflict with RussiaThe Japanese declared war on Russia in 1904

Conflict with RussiaThe Russians lost the war in 1905.In the Treaty of Portsmouth, Japan gained control of the Liaodong Peninsula, the South Manchurian Railway, and the southern half of the Sakhalin Island.

Alliance with BritainJapan signed a treaty with Britain in 1902, known as the Anglo-Japanese Alliance Britain recognized Japans right to defend Korea Japan recognized Britains right to defend IndiaWhat do you think this meant for the Japanese?

Conflict with China In 1894, Japan fought and won a war against China over the Korean peninsula. China was also forced to give up Taiwan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895. Japan ruled both Taiwan and Korea as colonies. They created economic projects that primarily benefitted Japan.

Conflict with ChinaThis fuelled Japanese ambitions to expand further into China Japan occupied Qingdao, a German colony in the province of Shandong, during World War 1. Japan delivered the Twenty-One Demands as an ultimatum to China in 1915.

Analysis:

In the long-run, Japan wanted to prove herself as an equal of the western powers by making a successful military conquest on its own in its neighbouring region. If Japan could be a colonial master itself and establish a bigger empire, Japan could be recognised as a powerful nation. Therefore, Asia-Pacific was targeted by the Japanese military.

Worsening relations with USARacial segregation and discrimination is common in American society, especially against the Asian immigrants (Chinese, Japanese and Koreans) The Japanese government was greatly offended by it, even though they did not want a conflict with the USA

Paris Peace ConferenceJapan called for the eradication of racial discrimination against Japanese immigrants in USA during the Peace Conference It wanted equality for all foreign immigrants to the countries in the League of Nations But it was not passed as it did not gain the support of Britain and Australia Cause much unhappiness among some Japanese as they feel insulted

Eventually.

Manchuria (1931)

Pearl Harbour (7 Dec 1941)

Why?

Reasons for Japanese Aggression in Asia-PacificJapans ambition to establish itself in Asia and EuropeCrisis in JapanJapanese expansionist policyWeakness of the League of NationsJapans response to world developments in the 1930s

2. Crisis in JapanEconomic crisisJapan faced economic problem due to rapid population increase and shortage of land for farming. Farmers did not have enough land to grow crops and earn a decent living. Farming methods were slow and labour-intensiveResulted in shortage of rice and led to much discontent among the Japanese

2. Crisis in JapanOverpopulation Japans population grew from 45 million in 1900 to 64 million by 1930 Led to a greater demand for more resources (house, land, food, consumer goods etc) Many Japanese were relocated to Manchuria to address this overpopulation issue

2. Crisis in JapanGrowth of military influence in Japanese politics The rise of Japanese militarism played a large role in Japans expansionist ambitions and aggressive attitude towards relations with other countries Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai was assassinated in May 1932 and martial law was declared The military effectively ruled Japan, with Admiral Makoto Saito as Prime Minister

Analysis:Japanese leaders saw the capture of Asia-Pacific territories as a solution to their economic problems. Conquering these areas would ensure Japans access to more fertile land, more raw materials and a ready market for Japanese goods. Autarky could thus be achieved. Hence, Japan waged a war in the Asia-Pacific region.

3. Japanese expansionist foreign policy The Japanese embarked on an expansionist foreign policy to acquire resources for a fast growing population Limited resources and relies heavily on trade with other countries But because of the Great Depression, it was difficult for Japan to acquire raw materials from overseas Thus the Japanese justified their acquisitions overseas as essential for the growth of their country The militarists in Japan also used the expansionist policy as a means to achieve equality and recognition amongst the world powers.

3. Japanese expansionist foreign policyGreater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere A plan to dominate East Asia and Southeast Asia Expel European colonial powers and replace them with satellite states loyal to JapanManchurian model of governance to extend throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia Wanted the raw resources in these countries Independent movements in Southeast Asia was attracted to the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere as it offers them an opportunity to achieve independence from their colonial rulers It was really just a policy to replace European colonial powers with Japanese domination

Analysis:

With the growing influence of the military leaders in the Japanese government and their pro-war stand, it ensured that Japan would turn to war than negotiation in its dealings with the Asia-Pacific region. The militarists extreme nationalistic ideas of wanting to strengthen Japan and acquiring international status also led to their aggressive stance towards countries in the Asia-Pacific.

4. Weakness of the League of NationsMukden Incident and invasion of Manchuria Manchuria was both economically and strategically important to Japan It provided Japan with raw materials as well as a market to sell Japanese goods It allows Japan to defend its territory in Korea, as well as a platform for further incursion into China

4. Weakness of the League of Nations Mukden Incident and invasion of Manchuria 18 Sept 1931 a bomb exploded near the Japanese-owned railway near Mukden Japanese Army blamed the Chinese nationalists Used the attack in Mukden as a pretext to the full invasion of Manchuria Formed a satellite state known as Manchukuo

4. Weakness of the League of Nations Mukden Incident and invasion of Manchuria China and the other great powers condemned the invasion and formation of Manchukuo Investigation by League of Nations showed that Japans action went beyond self-defence Japan was condemned by League of Nations As a result, Japan walked out of the League of Nations and the League was reluctant and powerless to stop this aggressive policy by Japan

4. Weakness of the League of Nations Second Sino-Japanese War Broke out in 1937 after the Marco Polo Bridge incident Tension over a military training exercise and missing Japanese soldier Finally broke out in war China appealed to League for help but Western powers were reluctant to get involvedEurope was also preoccupied with Hitler and his expanionist policy

Analysis:

The Leagues inaction convinced Japanese military leaders that the Western powers were too weak to prevent the expansion of Japan. This gave Japan greater confidence to continue their acts of aggression against China to further the Japanese interests. The League would have prevented a large-scale Japanese invasion of China had they taken tough action against Japan for its aggression in Manchuria.

5. Japans response to world developments in the 1930s American foreign policy changesAmerican popular opinion sided with China and President Roosevelt spoke of the need for aggressor nations to be quarantined, and used Japans aggression to justify military aid to China In 1939, Roosevelt cancelled the 1911 commercial treaty with Japan and impose trade restrictions When Japan invaded Vietnam in 1940, Roosevelt imposed trade embargo on Japan Trade embargo banned war resources like steel, scrap iron and fuel These are important to Japans war with China and it made the invasion of Southeast Asia for its resources more attractive

5. Japans response to world developments in the 1930s War in Europe War in Europe contributed towards the Japanese decision to wage war in the Asia Pacific War in Europe left British and French defences in the Asia Pacific weak and exposed War in Europe created an opportunity for Japan to replace the British and the French as the new colonial master in the Asia Pacific

Analysis:

The western powers put their homeland in Europe in a higher priority of importance as compared to their colonies in Asia-Pacific. Japan saw this as a good opportunity to attack and successfully take over the colonies of the various western powers while they were pre-occupied with the Germans. Thus, Japan declared war on the Asia-Pacific region.

5. Japans response to world developments in the 1930s Attack on Pearl Harbor Attack on Pearl Harbor was Japans first concrete step in waging war in the Asia Pacific Japan was faced with the choice of either withdrawing from China or to retaliate against the Americans after the trade embargo was passed in 1940 The Japanese military pressured the emperor into war with the USA They believed that a quick knockout blow against the USA and rapid expansion southwards would convince the Americans to negotiate a peace settlement

Declaration of War