Factors that caused WWII in Asia-Pacific (Japan)

Question 1

Why did USA want to intervene with Japan?

Answer 1

• USA initially practiced isolationism (1937 Neutrality Act), Japan expected to have free hand in war against China.
• Japan wanted to keep western powers out of Asia for control and good markets → Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere → threatened US interests
• After the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937) incident, President Roosevelt was worried about Japan’s growing ambitions and wanted to keep its expansion in check. American began to take a progressively harder line on Japan.

1. When Japan continued to occupy Vietnam, USA imposed trade embargo, banned export of steel, scrap iron and oil to Japan (essential for war effort e.g planes. ships)
2. Resurrected a law from WWI – Trading with Enemy Act, which seized Japanese assets in the US making Japan unable to buy essential goods.

Question 2

Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor.

Answer 2

• Japan’s reliance on American oil: Either accept USA’s demands to end war in China and limit expansion in asia OR retaliate by attacking the USA.
• Japan sought to secure natural resources, such as oil, rubber, and minerals, from colonies in the asia, particularly in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) to sustain industrial efforts.
• Hoped for surprise quick ‘knockout’ blow against the USA and rapid expansion southwards to conquer new territories, build up its economic resources and match US power.
• US Pacific Fleet had necessary sea and air power to control Asia-Pacific region and defend SEA. USA
  did not think Japanese attack could reach without detection.
• Japanese fleet travelled at radio silence for 11 days,.➔ 5/8 battleships sunk, aircrafts bombed, 2400 Americans dead. (December 1941)

Question 3

How did the impact of Great Depression and the need for self-suffiency lead to aggressive policies?

Answer 3

• Japan was hit hard due to its heavy reliance on trade and limited resources + GD brought about high number of unemployment which made destroy the livelihood of the Japanese
• Great Depression: Restrictive trading practices → difficult to obtain required raw materials from markets it did not directly control. Introduction of a range of tariffs by the US in the 1930s to protect its economy (Protectionism) hurt Japan’s export badly ➔ made Japan’s goods more expensive in the US resulting in a lower rate of exports ➔ No raw materials to run industries
• Convinced the Japanese Ultranationalist that Japan could not rely upon other countries’ imports to be self-sufficient ➔ needed to expand to get what it wanted. For instance:
  
  • Control of nearby territories for supply of raw materials and resources.
  • Control of Taiwan – Sugar.
  • Korea annexed – Minerals & wheat, defend Japanese isles, land for growing population

Question 4

How did rise of militarism in Japan lead to aggressive policies?

Answer 4

• During the early 20th century, Japan’s ultranationalist military gained significant influence, driven by a belief in Japan’s destiny to remove Western powers from Asia and assert dominance
• Ultranationalist military commanders grew in prominence:
  
  • Successes in conflicts with major world powers
  • Increase in confidence in the military.
  • Control of territories allowed building of own empire.
  • Steered Japanese foreign policy towards expansionism, fueled Japan’s desire for equality and recognition amongst world powers ➔ removed WP from Asia and expand its rule over Asia
  • Economic development (acquisition of Korea/Manchuria) encouraged further conquest.
• These successes were celebrated, and military service was increasingly seen as an honour, reinforcing the idea that Japan was destined for greater power.

Question 5

What was the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere?

Answer 5

• This was a response towards USA who had imposed restrictive policies that damaged Japan’s ambitions and survival.
• As a result, they wanted to dominate whole of East Asia and SEA: Expel European colonial powers and established satellite states loyal to Japan in SEA.
• Many SE Asians discontented under colonial rule, desired independence. The Japanese promised to liberate them and to protect them, popular slogans ‘Asia for Asians’.
• Controlling this region provided the availability of important raw materials (rubber and oil from Malaya and Indonesia), crucial to military machine, lacking in Korea, Taiwan and Manchuria.➔
• Extension of Japanese Empire into SEA provided economic gains and supported Japan’s expansionist efforts.