Better one

Question 1

Japans ambition to be on par with the western powers

Answer 1

• As Japan modernised the militarist state wanted to be considered an equal power with the Western Powers, with large colonial empires and territories.
• This was aggravated by their victory in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, in which Japan defeated the Russian Empire and forced it to come to terms with Japanese influence in Korea. This was a significant boost to Japanese military confidence as it had defeated a European power and defended Japanese interests.

Question 2

Perceived discrimination from the west

Answer 2

• Moreover, at the Washington Naval Conference, the ratio of naval strength amongst the great powers UK, USA and Japan was decided at 5:5:3. This meant Japan had to reduce its naval strength beyond that of the USA and Britain. The Japanese again viewed this as discriminatory against them, increasing tensions between them and the West.

Question 3

Economic problems in Japan

Answer 3

• Internally, Japan faced economic problems such as insufficient arable land for farmers and workers that suffered from poor living and working conditions, which were only worsened by the Great Depression.
• However, some of these problems were alleviated when Japan embarked on its foreign expansion. For example, Korea provided a steady source of cotton and wool while control of Taiwan allowed Japan access to sugar. When Japan occupied Manchuria after 1931, it provided a steady flow of minerals and wheat.
• This convinced Japanese leaders that an expansionist policy was essential to solve its economic problems and support a steady supply of raw materials and resources.

Question 4

Greater East Asian co prosperity sphere

Answer 4

• Japan’s successes in Korea, Taiwan and Manchuria emboldened it to plan the establishment of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, which meant the establishment of a Japanese Empire in the whole of East Asia. It believed that this would make it equal in power and status to the West.
• Economic reasons contributed to this desire - Japan wanted rubber and oil from Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. When the USA placed embargoes on Japan in 1940 for its takeover of French Indochina, controlling these territories became even more important for Japan’s survival, especially for its war effort in China.

Question 5

Japanese aggression/ expansionist policy in action

Answer 5

• Key Example: Mukden Incident.
• After launching the full scale invasion of Manchuria using an excuse of a bomb going off at the Japanese-owned railway near Mukden, the Japanese military established Manchukuo, a puppet state under Japanese military control.
• Japan hence took over Manchuria through its policy of expansionism.

Question 6

Favourable global conditions- changes in US Foreign policy

Answer 6

• Japan initially had not expected any opposition particularly by the USA in their war against China, especially since the USA had been pursuing a policy of isolationism since the 1930s. However, American popular opinion sided with China and President Roosevelt was convinced of the need to stop aggressor nations.
• In 1939 the USA cancelled a commercial treaty between itself and Japan and when Japan continued its aggression in Indochina in 1940, the USA sanctioned a trade embargo on Japan. This severely affected Japan’s war efforts in China. As a result of the embargo, Japan was urgently encouraged to look for other sources of oil, such as the oil-rich countries of Southeast Asia.

Question 7

The bombing of Pearl Harbor

Answer 7

• By the end of 1940, Japanese politicians felt they could not afford to back down. The Japanese army and navy were convinced that war with the USA could not be avoided as their resources were running out. Hence they hoped to achieve a quick and decisive victory through the element of surprise.
• By catching the US Pacific Fleet unawares, Japan would be able to control the sea and air in the Pacific, making it easy for them to attack Southeast Asia.
• On 7 December 1941, Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbour, sinking five of the eight battleships at anchor and destroying its airfields, killing more than 2400 Americans. The USA declared war on Japan the next day and formally joined the war on the side of the Allies.