To what extent was Japan forced to wage WW2 on the Asia Pacific Flashcards
Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia & Europe (Conflict with Russia)
Japan was a threat to Russian interests in the Far East. The Russian Empire established a sphere of influence in Manchuria and secured a permanent port. They also attempted to established a permanent military and naval base, which was a threat to Japan’s interests and influence in Korea. Japan offered to accept Russian influence in Manchuria if Russian accepted Japanese influence in Korea. Russian did not believe it needed to negotiate as the East was seen as less powerful and inferior to the west. Japan hence declared war on Russia in 1904 and defeat them in 1905. This gave Japan confidence that they could defeat the Western powers.
Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia & Europe (Alliance with Britain)
Britain signed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance with Japan in 1902, with a mutual recognition of British and Japanese interests in Asia as the basis. The treaty was renewed in 1905, with Britain recognising Japan’s right to defend Korea and Japan recognising Britain’s right to defend India. Britain and Japan agreed that China was a place of “Common Interest”. This gave legitimacy to Japan’s colonial ambitions.
Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia & Europe (Conflict with China)
1st Sino-Japanese War
In 1894, japan fought a successful war against China over the control of the Korean Peninsula. Japan wanted to take advantage of the weaknesses of the Qing dynasty to take control of Chinese territory and trade. At the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, China was forced to give up control of Korea and the island of Taiwan. Taiwan was administered as Japan’s first colony and Japan administered a colonisation process that mirrored European efforts including the construction of schools and modern infrastructure like railways. In Korea however, the Japanese tried to rule indirectly through the Korean Royal Family. In 1910, Korea was annexed and ruled directly by Japan. The was showed how successful the modernisation of Japan had been. Also showed a shift in power from China to Japan in Asia. This encouraged Japan to expand further into China.
Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia & Europe (Worsening relations with USA); American Racism
American Racism
Racial segregation and discrimination were common in American society in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Laws were passed to protect American economic interests and to exclude the Chinese, Korean and Japanese immigrants to prevent them from competing for jobs. The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882. The Japanese and Korean Exclusion league was established in 1905. Japan felt disrespected by the Western Powers
Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia & Europe (Worsening relations with USA); Washington Naval Conference, 1921
Washington Naval Conference, 1921
The conference asked for a reduction in the naval forces of the major powers. The ratio was decided as 5 : 5 : 3 : 1.67 : 1.67. Japan hence had to reduce their naval strength more than USA and Britain and found it unfair and biased against them. Japan felt disrespected by the Western Powers.
Crisis in Japan (Economic Crisis) ; Population Explosion
Japan’s population grew rapidly from 45 million in 1900 to 64 million in 1930. Farmers did not have enough land to grow crops and earn a decent income. Labour intensive and slow traditional methods of planting and weaving by hand was practised, leading to a shortage of rice. As the population grew demand for housing, goods and products also increased. This fed Japan’s growing expansionist ambitions as occupation of more territories meant access to more resources and space. Thus, Japan needed more resources and larger markets to strength its economy.
Crisis in Japan (Economic Crisis) ; Great Depression
The Great Depression of 1929 affected economies worldwide and the USA and Britain began to practice protectionism. Growing opposition to free trade and increasing taxation on Japanese products led to a drastic fall in demand for Silk, which was Japan’s main export. Japanese began to blame the democratic government for the country’s economic problem. Thus, Japan needed more resources and larger markets to strength its economy.
Crisis in Japan (Growth of military influence in Japanese Politics)
Military had been successful in battles since 1895. Made military very influential. People sad military action as the answer to their problems, also saw civilian government as weak. Military were soon acting independently from civilian government. Martial Law was declared when Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai was assassinated in May 1932. The Military now effectively controlled the government, with 10 of the 15 cabinet members from the military. Therefore, Japan’s government was now controlled by the military, who were aggressive and wanted to go to war.
Japanese Expansionist Foreign Policy (To acquire resources)
Japan had limited resources and had to rely on trade with other nations to import essential resources like oil. Restrictive trading practices made it difficult for Japan to obtain raw materials it needed from markets it did not directly control. Taiwan provided sugar, Korea provided cotton and wool, while Manchuria provided minerals and wheat.
Japanese Expansionist Foreign Policy (To build its own Empire in Asia)
The rise in militarism in Japanese political leadership also steered Japan towards expansionism. Japan destined for equality and recognition amongst the world powers. Japan enjoyed increased confidence via its international successes.
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
Japan wanted to dominate the whole East Asian and Southeast Asia. Created the idea of “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” - resources should be for benefits of Asia, not westerners. European colonial powers would be expelled and these regions would become satellite states loyal to Japan. These states would be defended by the Japanese military and governed through local elites aided by Japanese advisors. Southeast Asia had important raw material such as oil and rubber. Many southeast Asians were also discontented with colonial rule and wanted independence. The Japanese promised to ‘liberate’ them.
Japan’s response to World Developments in the 1930s (American Foreign Policy changes)
American adopted an isolationist policy. However, American popular opinion sided with China and President Franklin.D Roosevelt spoke of the need for aggressor nations to be ‘quarantined’ and used Japan’s aggression to justify military aid to China. Roosevelt also cancelled the 1911 commercial treaty with Japan in 1939. In 1940, a trade embargo was imposed and banned the export of steel, iron and fuel to Japan. These resources were essential for Japan’s war efforts. This made America Japan’s enemy.
Japan’s response to World Developments in the 1930s (War in Europe)
The outbreak of war in Europe meant that British and French defences in the Asia Pacific in the Asia and depleted. Southeast Asian was left defenceless. This created an opportunity for Japan to take place of the declining powers. French Indochina and British Malaya became easy target for Japanese invasion.
Japan’s response to World Developments in the 1930s (Pearl Harbour)
The Pearl Harbour attack was Japan’s first concrete step toward waging war in the Asia Pacific. America had hoped that Japan’s reliance on American oil would force it to accept US demands to end the war in China and limit its expansion in the region. Japan faced a choice to either give in by withdrawing from China or retaliate by attacking the US. The Japanese navy and army chiefs advised the Emperor that their stockpiled oil reserves would run out within 2 years and that war with the US could not be avoided. General and War Minister Hideki Tojo was appointed as Prime Minister.
Japan wanted to have a quick ‘knock-out’ blow against the US and rapid expansion southwards would convince the Americans to negotiate for a peace settlement. The target was the US Pacific Fleet, which was moved to Pearl Harbour in Hawaii as a deterrent to Japanese aggression. This fleet had the necessary sea and air power to control the Asia-Pacific region and could defend South-East Asia. A Japanese fleet of aircraft carriers, aircraft and submarines spent 11 days travelling in radio silence whilst Japanese diplomates continued the ruse of diplomatic negotiations in Washington. At 8.00 am, 7 December 1941, Japanese planes sunk 5 of the 8 battleships at anchor and bombed its aircraft fields, killing over 2400 Americans. The US declared war the next day.
