The outbreak of World War II in the Pacific was not a sudden occurrence, but rather a combination of separate events which changed the course of history forever. At its centre there were three main causes for the outbreak of the war in the Pacific, including Japan’s desire for resources because of their rapid industrialization, the rise of nationalism in Japan, and the US embargo on Japan leading to the bombing of Pearl Harbour. These were all the main causes of World War II, which led to an outbreak of war in the Pacific. The rise of militarism and nationalism led to the outbreak of war in the Pacific. The rise of nationalism led to the Japanese people believing that Japan had to expand and become a world leader. This mindset was the groundwork …show more content…
This mindset was brought around because of the nationalist views in Japan forming a foundational pillar as it not only shaped the beliefs of the Japanese people but also created tension between Japan and the US which was a vital reason for the outbreak of war in the Pacific. The nationalist mindset was not only a result of militarism but also because of Japan’s desire for resources to keep up with the rapid industrialization, leading them down a path of colonization and aggressive expansionism, which was a major factor in the outbreak of war in the Pacific. The main reason for Japan’s desire for resources was because in the late 1930s, Japan imported approximately 90% of its iron ore, 100% of its aluminum, and about 80% of its oil from foreign sources; this led to the Japanese desire for resources, which eventually led them down a path of colonization. An example of this can be seen in 1931 when Japan took a major step in expanding their resources as they invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria. The invasion of Manchuria highlights Japan’s path of colonization to assist with their rapid …show more content…
Another example of Japan’s expansionism can be further seen when the Japanese military leaders decided to incorporate the southern strategy in 1940, where their imperial naval force invaded French Indochina in hopes of cutting off the supply of resources to China. This was successful in the short term as they gained more resources which was their primary goal but in the long term it affected them badly as the US had frozen their assets and placed an embargo cutting off their oil supplies as 80% of Japan’s oil supplies came from the US. This situation that Japan’s found themselves in was the direct result of their desire for resources, which led to their own loss and was a major factor in the outbreak of war in the Pacific. Along with this, it increases the tension between Japan and the US, which led to the planning of Pearl Harbour. The US embargo on Japan resulted in a massive loss of crucial resources for Japan which resulted in bombing of Pearl Harbour as the Japanese were desperate to acquire more resources, playing a significant role in the outbreak of war in the
In the middle of Lost in the Pacific 1942, after they crash land the have to get into three rafts they have eight people they have to split up into the rafts, two of the rafts are 3 man rafts and one of the rafts is a two seater raft. So after they split up into the rafts all they have for food is four oranges because, they forgot the thermos and their food on the plane, and their plane is sunk by now so they have to survive off of four oranges and no water.About one week later they manage to get a rain storm and they collect as much water as they can and a couple of days later hey manage to catch a couple of fingerlings, which are fish that are like an inch long.
Japan led a ruthless assault in the Pacific for fifteen years. This small island was able to spread imperialism and terror to neighboring countries through means of force and brutality. Japan even attempted to combat and overcome European and Western countries such as Russia and the United States. Even with an extreme militaristic government, Japan was unable to achieve the glory it was promised and hoped for. The Pacific War analyzes Japan’s part in the war and what the country could have done to prevent such a tragedy.
Although WW II ended over 50 years ago there is still much discussion as to the events which ended the War in the Pacific. The primary event which historians attribute to this end are the use of atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although the bombing of these cities did force the Japanese to surrender, many people today ask “Was the use of the atomic bomb necessary to end the war?” and more importantly “Why was the decision to use the bomb made?” Ronald Takaki examines these questions in his book Hiroshima.
The Japanese government believed that the only way to solve its economic and demographic problems was to expand into its neighbor’s territory and take over its import market, mostly pointed at China. To put an end on that the United States put economic sanctions and trade embargoes. We believed that if we cut off their resources and their source of federal income than they would have no choice but to pull back and surrender. But the
World War II: Pacific Theater Overview and Japanese Cruelty Starting in the early 1930’s, the Japanese began to display their great imperialistic dreams with ambition and aggression. Their goal was to create a "Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere" where they controlled a vast empire in the western Pacific.1 In September of 1939, Japan signed the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis Treaty, allying themselves with Germany and Italy in an effort to safeguard their interests in China from the Soviet Union. Japan’s only major obstacle left lay in the significant size of the United States Pacific Fleet. To rid themselves of this, Japan attacked the United States Pacific Fleet in hopes of crippling it enough to prevent any further hindrance from the US. Although Japan began the War in the Pacific on the offensive, winning many battles and gaining significant territories, the tide quickly turned in favor of the US because of the dominating industrial capacity.
Japanese soldiers were trained in all types of conditions to prepare for war. People in Japan grew up with very nationalistic ideals. Many were passionate for their country and would sacrifice anything for their Emperor, even their own lives. This concept was reinforced during many Japanese soldier trainings. They were taught to never give up or surrender to the enemy. At this point, dropping the atomic bomb was needed to end the war in the Pacific, as it is the only way to defeat the Japanese. As the Japanese are very prideful in ethics, a war would occur on Japanese soil if it were not for the bomb. Japanese men would fight American troops, and ultimately, the Japanese would win the battle (The 1). The attacks on Pearl Harbor exemplify their dedication towards the war. Moreover, one can see the extent of nationalism through the negative effects of the Kamikaze pilots. They sacrificed their own lives for the better¬ o...
Leading up to the First World War, Japan began pursuing modernization and imperialism. Before the wars however, Japan was isolationist for much the same reason China was isolationist. Both China and Japan viewed themselves as superior to other countries but acted differently on this idea. China was focused on defense while Japan began to plan for world conquest. Arguably while China was focused on self-stabilization, Japan was focused on projecting their imperialism towards the rest of Asia. This lead to the invasion of the North Easter Chinses province of Manchuria in September 1931 which was occupied by Japan until the end of the Second World War. The invasion was the first step of Japan’s plan to conquer China and ultimately the world. The Japanese planned to take Manchuria for its resources to build its army then attack each province
Japan was a small nation that was in dire need of resources so it could flourish. They need iron for weapons, rubber for tires, and coal and oil for fuel. In July 1937, to capture its coal and iron reserves, Japan launched a successful and brutal attack against China. This would be the start of an assault on the Pacific region by Japan. This assault would last for three years without anyone getting involved because tensions were growing futile in the European theatre.
After Japanese victories in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and World War I, Japanese experience and confidence in military operations began to soar. As early as 1905, Japan had identified the United States as their primary threat and began preparations to win a war against it. Despite Japan’s vast combat experience and military buildup prior to the Pacific War, their prewar preparation was only slightly more robust than the United States and this edge was eaten away by time for three different reasons. First, Japan began the Pacific War with slight technological advantages over the United States and believed they could use higher-quality technology to defeat the quantitative numbers of a larger foe. Second, Japan created doctrine and effectively trained tactics for military operations to counter an offensive by the United States. Lastly, Japan conceived a very plausible limited strategy.
In the early 1940s, an event that was so premeditated and yet so very atrocious hit our nation’s pacific ocean. The state of Hawaii and its famous harbor was left victimized and bleeding as the skies rained down with munitions and kamikaze fighter planes. Many of the members of the armed services found themselves asking one question. What was to come next? As the United States of America and the empire of Japan at the time demonstrated that both sides had its differences no one could have ever expect anything of this magnitude to take place.
During months of negotiations between Tokyo and Washington, D.C., neither side would budge, making the war inevitable. Japan wanted to bring the United States into the war, so they began to plan their infamous attack. Japan’s military envisioned a grand empire that would cover most of Southeast Asia and the islands of the South Pacific. The Philippine Islands are in the middle of that domain, which was at the time American territory. Military bases with thousands of U.S. troops were stationed on these islands. The Japanese predicted it was only a matter of time before America would enter the war. Therefore, decided that a surprise was their best weapon against the United States. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor was a huge tragedy to the U.S., and caused the U.S. to enter into WWII, but brought more consequences to Japan than could ever be
If one strips the story to its generalities rather than specifics, it is easy to relate this to World War II through the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent actions. Japan had relatively recently entered onto the world stage and faced issues that plagued other youthful nations. Japan required expansion to feed its growing populace. The easies...
"Was the Atomic Bombing of Japan Justifiable?" The Pacific War 1941-43. Web. 10 June 2010.
Japan triggered the war that led to the bombing of its two cities with its sneak attack on America’s Pearl Harbor in 1941. Subsequent systematic and flagrant violation of several international agreements and norms through employment of chemical and biological warfare and mistreatment of prisoners of war and civilians aggravated the situation[ Gar Alperovitz, The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb and the Architecture of an American Myth. (NY: Knopf, 1995), 89]. A response was needed to deal with increased aggression from Japan. Allied military planners had to choose between invading Japan and using the US atomic bombs in 1945[ Ronald Tabaki, Hiroshima: Why America Dropped the Atomic Bomb.
...high power status, Japan had to have a self-reliant industrial common ground and be able to move all human and material resources (S,195). Through the Shogun Revolution of 1868, the abolition of Feudalism in 1871, the activation of the national army in 1873, and the assembly of parliament in 1889, the political system of Japan became westernized (Q,3). Local Labor and commercial assistance from the United States and Europe allowed Japan’s industry to bloom into a developed, modern, industrial nation (Q,3). As a consequence production surplus, and food shortage followed (Q,3). Because of how much it relied on aid of western powers, Japan’s strategic position became especially weak. In an attempt to break off slightly from the aid of the west Japanese leaders believed that it would be essential for Japan to expand beyond its borders to obtain necessary raw materials.