(OSEA) Conflict and Change Japan
Japan Conflict and Change
Japan suffered a great defeat at the end of World War II. President Truman was faced with the decision to either invade the island or use the new technology of nuclear weapons developed during the Manhattan Project. After dropping the first bomb, Japan still did not surrender so the second bomb was dropped. Upon surrendering, Japan was occupied by the US forces to rebuild its government. The plan was to create a constitutional monarchy to keep the role of the emperor, but reduce it to only a ceremonial figurehead. The constitution of Japan is modeled after the United States and is still in use today.
Japan: WWII and After
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Pearl Harbor |
On December 7, 1941, Japanese airplanes made a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. More than 2,400 people were killed, and many US battleships and airplanes were destroyed. Why did Japan Attack? Japan had invaded both China and Indochina and the U.S. demanded that Japan withdraw from both countries. On September 1940, the U.S. placed an embargo on Japan by prohibiting exports of oil, steel, scrap iron, and aviation fuel to Japan. Japan thought that attacking the U.S. would provide them an easy win, and a territory with lots of land and resources to rule once they were victorious. The U.S. embargo against Japan was hurting Japan’s economy, and their ability to make war! On December 7th, 1941, Japanese bomber planes attacked a Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. |
View of the bombing of the base. President Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, “a day that will live in infamy.” |
U.S. Enters the War |
The next day, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. Congress agreed and the US officially entered WWII on December 8, 1941. On December 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the US. The US was now deeply involved in WWII on the side of the Allies. |
Photograph of the ship, USS Arizona, burning. 1,177 servicemen died on the ship. |
Strategy: Island Hopping |
In 1944, the US followed an “island-hopping” campaign in the Pacific. They would capture lightly-defended islands throughout the Pacific, one by one until they had “HOPPED” their way towards Japan. The Pacific Ocean was so BIG – the U.S. needed a way to get closer. US forces attacked island after island held by the Japanese. This allowed the U.S. to get within striking distance of Japan and allowed the U.S. to set up bases at all of the conquered islands along the way. In February 1945, American forces invaded the island of Iwo Jima. The island was important because it was close to Japan and was a good place for U.S. planes to land. The Japanese protected the island with traps and underground tunnels. It was a fierce battle, but the U.S. Marines eventually took the island. |
invading Iwo Jima, Feb. 19, 1945. |
Atomic Bombs |
The Allies thought about invading Japan but were worried that too many soldiers would die. The Japanese soldiers were fierce warriors and very loyal to their nation. Many were willing to sacrifice themselves for their country. Japanese kamikaze pilots crashed their planes into US ships on purpose, fully expecting to die, but did so for the honor of striking at the enemy. Because of all of this, President Harry Truman made a difficult decision to use nuclear weapons against Japan. The US Government had created a secret project to research, develop, and test an atomic weapon from 1942-1946. This was nicknamed the Manhattan Project. It was led by the United States with participation from the UK and Canada. President Truman warned the Japanese government to surrender, but they refused to give up, so on August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb at Hiroshima. When Japan still did not surrender, the U.S. dropped a second bomb, on August 9, 1945, at Nagasaki. The next day Japan surrendered. |
The signing of the surrender. Image is in the Public Domain. |
U.S. Occupation
The US decided to occupy and rebuild Japan in a way that would guarantee the country would not pose a military threat to others in the future. General Douglas MacArthur was sent to oversee Japan’s restoration as the U.S. occupied Japan from 1945 to 1952.
General MacArthur ordered Japan’s military to be disbanded and closed all weapons factories. He also directed that government and military leaders involved in World War II were brought to trial and punished.
In addition, MacArthur helped Japan install a new democratic government:
- Respecting the important place the Japanese emperor held in Japanese culture, Japan would become a Constitutional Monarchy.
- General MacArthur wrote a constitution for Japan (It is still called the MacArthur Constitution today).
- The constitution set up a two-house parliament called a Diet. Everyone over the age of 20 could vote for members of the Diet.
- The constitution also included a Bill of Rights and guaranteed basic freedoms.
- The emperor remained as a symbol of the country but was stripped of his power.
Japan’s constitution also prevents the country from declaring war or fighting with other countries (unless they are attacked first). After signing the new constitution, the Japanese government pledged to pay reparations to the countries that they harmed during WWII. The Japanese were also not allowed to rebuild their military in any way.
The Economy
The US offered financial support to help kick start Japan’s economy after WWII. This money coupled with a strong Japanese work ethic led to a boom in Japan’s economic growth. Much like the US, Japan leans towards a market economy, which motivates its citizens to develop new ideas and expand businesses.
Japan's Legacy
On April 28, 1952, Japan became a fully sovereign nation. America’s occupation and MacArthur’s rebuilding of Japan have had a positive lasting effect. Today, the country has one of the most stable democratic governments in the world. Japan also has one of the most powerful industrialized economies in the world.
Conflict and Change Challenge
Take Away
Japan has seen long-lasting peace since World War II. With the US occupation, the nation was able to rebuild and industrialize to become a leading democracy in Asia. Today Japan has one of the most powerful industrialized economies in the world. Like the U. S. Japan encourages a market economy, which motivates people to develop new ideas and expand. With its deep hostile past, both Japan and the US were able to create a relationship that prospers today.
IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS OR OPENSOURCE