JAPAN: The Pacific TheaterJAPAN: The Pacific Theater

World War IIWorld War II

Hirohito’s BirthHirohito’s Birth

Hirohito was born in 1901Hirohito was born in 1901 His grandfather, still emperor then, His grandfather, still emperor then,

was known after his death as the was known after his death as the Meiji Emperor. He was responsible Meiji Emperor. He was responsible for Japan’s renewed trade and for Japan’s renewed trade and communication with the West after communication with the West after many years of isolation.many years of isolation.

Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Hirohito’s father became the Taisho Hirohito’s father became the Taisho Emperor. Emperor.

Hirohito’s YouthHirohito’s Youth Hirohito’s father was not strong, so Hirohito Hirohito’s father was not strong, so Hirohito

became regent (he acted as emperor but his became regent (he acted as emperor but his father was still technically in charge) in 1921.father was still technically in charge) in 1921.

Dec. 13, 1921– Japan, the United States, Britain Dec. 13, 1921– Japan, the United States, Britain and France signed the Four-Power Pact to and France signed the Four-Power Pact to respect the current state of the Pacific. None of respect the current state of the Pacific. None of them would try to seize colonies from each them would try to seize colonies from each other. other.

1926– Emperor Taisho died and Hirohito 1926– Emperor Taisho died and Hirohito became Emperor.became Emperor.

Young EmperorYoung Emperor

When Hirohito took the throne, he realized he When Hirohito took the throne, he realized he had less power than he thought– the navy and had less power than he thought– the navy and military had both grown strong enough to veto military had both grown strong enough to veto govt. decisions and act on their own.govt. decisions and act on their own.

In 1927 the military attacked Manchuria– In 1927 the military attacked Manchuria– Hirohito did not authorize this invasion, nor could Hirohito did not authorize this invasion, nor could he stop it.he stop it.

In 1936, several army officers led a revolt to take In 1936, several army officers led a revolt to take over the govt., but Hirohito crushed it. over the govt., but Hirohito crushed it.

Bonding with GermanyBonding with Germany

In 1931, Japan fully invaded Manchuria.In 1931, Japan fully invaded Manchuria. In 1937, Japan attacked China and began the In 1937, Japan attacked China and began the

Second Sino-Japanese War.Second Sino-Japanese War. Hirohito did not suggest these attacks– his Hirohito did not suggest these attacks– his

ministers did– but he didn’t object to them either. ministers did– but he didn’t object to them either. He was more concerned about a possible attack He was more concerned about a possible attack from the Soviet Union. from the Soviet Union.

China and the Soviet Union were showing signs China and the Soviet Union were showing signs of a possible alliance, which would split China of a possible alliance, which would split China from its former alliance with Germany. So, Japan from its former alliance with Germany. So, Japan decided to make friends with Germany. decided to make friends with Germany.

Heading towards WarHeading towards War

In 1938, Japan attacked the Soviet Union, but In 1938, Japan attacked the Soviet Union, but was defeated. China also kept blocking their was defeated. China also kept blocking their advances.advances.

So, they turned south, to Pacific islands held by So, they turned south, to Pacific islands held by the US and several European nations, in an the US and several European nations, in an attempt to expand their empire.attempt to expand their empire.

In 1940– Hirohito signed the Tripartite Pact with In 1940– Hirohito signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy—Japan could “have” the Germany and Italy—Japan could “have” the Pacific as long as they did not interfere with Pacific as long as they did not interfere with Germany and Italy’s attempts to conquer Germany and Italy’s attempts to conquer Europe. All three countries wanted to keep the Europe. All three countries wanted to keep the US and Great Britain out of the Pacific.US and Great Britain out of the Pacific.

European Theater vs. Pacific TheaterEuropean Theater vs. Pacific Theater

Waking a Sleeping Giant Waking a Sleeping Giant Dec. 7, 1941– Japan bombed Pearl Harbor to Dec. 7, 1941– Japan bombed Pearl Harbor to destroy the United States Pacific Fleet. They destroy the United States Pacific Fleet. They were trying to prevent the US from interfering were trying to prevent the US from interfering as they took over the whole Pacific region, but as they took over the whole Pacific region, but instead they drew the U.S. into the war.instead they drew the U.S. into the war.

Doolittle’s RaidDoolittle’s RaidIn response to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. sent B-In response to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. sent B-25 bombers to bomb Tokyo from the USS Hornet. They 25 bombers to bomb Tokyo from the USS Hornet. They bombed factories and military targets inside Japan.bombed factories and military targets inside Japan.

PacificPacific

Fortunately for Japan, FDR and the US decide Fortunately for Japan, FDR and the US decide to focus on defeating Hitler and Germany first, to focus on defeating Hitler and Germany first, so there were fewer Allied troops fighting on so there were fewer Allied troops fighting on that front.that front.

April, 1942: American and Filipino soldiers April, 1942: American and Filipino soldiers under General MacArthur lost control of the under General MacArthur lost control of the Philippines. The Japanese army marched Philippines. The Japanese army marched 76,000 allied soldiers including 12,000 76,000 allied soldiers including 12,000 Americans more than 60 miles.Americans more than 60 miles.

Bataan Death MarchBataan Death March

Bataan Death MarchBataan Death March

Without food or water, Without food or water, more than 5,000 more than 5,000 Americans died.Americans died.

Pacific Theater LeadersPacific Theater Leaders Admiral Chester Nimitz: Commander in Chief of the Pacific Admiral Chester Nimitz: Commander in Chief of the Pacific

Fleet and the Pacific Ocean Areas for U.S. and Allied air, Fleet and the Pacific Ocean Areas for U.S. and Allied air, land, and sea forces. land, and sea forces.

General Douglas MacArthur- American General and Field General Douglas MacArthur- American General and Field Marshall of the Philippine Army; oversaw the occupation of Marshall of the Philippine Army; oversaw the occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1951. Japan from 1945 to 1951. "I have returned" — General MacArthur returns to

the Philippines with Philippine President Sergio Osmena to his right. (1945)

Admiral Nimitz General MacArthur

Allied Strategy: Island Hopping- Bypass Japanese Allied Strategy: Island Hopping- Bypass Japanese strongholds and take surrounding islands insteadstrongholds and take surrounding islands instead

Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942

Japan prepares for attack despite trying to Japan prepares for attack despite trying to negotiate peace with the United States.negotiate peace with the United States.

U.S. and Australian U.S. and Australian forces suffer heavy forces suffer heavy losses at Coral Sea, but losses at Coral Sea, but kept the Japanese kept the Japanese from taking Port from taking Port Moresby and ultimately Moresby and ultimately Australia. Australia.

Japan – 1942 Japan – 1942

Battle of Midway, June 1942Battle of Midway, June 1942Japan and the U.S. fought over the tiny island that Japan and the U.S. fought over the tiny island that included a strategically important American military included a strategically important American military base. Many people think this battle changed the base. Many people think this battle changed the direction of the Pacific war.direction of the Pacific war.

Battle of Midway, June 1942Battle of Midway, June 1942 U.S. levels the playing field through U.S. levels the playing field through

superior communications and intelligence. superior communications and intelligence. Admiral Nimitz was able to ambush the Admiral Nimitz was able to ambush the

Japanese at Midway. Japanese at Midway.

Battle of Leyte Gulf, Oct. 1944Battle of Leyte Gulf, Oct. 1944 Largest naval battle in history: within minutes 5 of 8 Largest naval battle in history: within minutes 5 of 8

battleships were sunk or sinking, and many of the battleships were sunk or sinking, and many of the airfields were also destroyedairfields were also destroyed

U.S. and Australian forces decimate Japanese navy in U.S. and Australian forces decimate Japanese navy in the Philippines.the Philippines.

First organized use of the Kamikaze (suicide attacks by First organized use of the Kamikaze (suicide attacks by military aviators from Japan against Allied naval military aviators from Japan against Allied naval vessels) occurred during the Leyte Gulf Campaignvessels) occurred during the Leyte Gulf Campaign

Iwo Jima, Feb-Mar 1945Iwo Jima, Feb-Mar 1945 "No other island received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo Jima." ~Admiral "No other island received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo Jima." ~Admiral

Nimitz  Nimitz  21,000 Japanese, burrowed in the volcanic rock of Iwo Jima, anxiously awaited the 21,000 Japanese, burrowed in the volcanic rock of Iwo Jima, anxiously awaited the

American invaders; many went underground.American invaders; many went underground. The US sent more Marines to Iwo Jima than to any other battle: 110,000 Marines in The US sent more Marines to Iwo Jima than to any other battle: 110,000 Marines in

880 ships. 880 ships. The traditional justification for Iwo Jima's strategic importance to the United States' war The traditional justification for Iwo Jima's strategic importance to the United States' war

effort has been that it provided a landing and refueling site for American bombers on effort has been that it provided a landing and refueling site for American bombers on missions to and from Japan, but it was also a crucial emergency landing point for the missions to and from Japan, but it was also a crucial emergency landing point for the B-29s carrying the atomic bombs destined for Japan. B-29s carrying the atomic bombs destined for Japan.

Mt. Mt. SuribachiSuribachi

Change of Leadership in AmericaChange of Leadership in America

April 12, 1945 – FDR dies, Harry Truman April 12, 1945 – FDR dies, Harry Truman becomes Presidentbecomes President

July 25, 1945– Truman makes the decision July 25, 1945– Truman makes the decision to end the warto end the war

Atomic BombAtomic Bomb

Manhattan Project: Manhattan Project: creation of the first creation of the first atomic bomb in Los atomic bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico Alamos, New Mexico (1942-1946)(1942-1946)

““Little Boy” (a gun-type Little Boy” (a gun-type weapon) dropped on weapon) dropped on HiroshimaHiroshima

““Fat Man” (implosion-Fat Man” (implosion-type weapon) dropped type weapon) dropped on Nagasaki on Nagasaki

Enola Gay drops “Little Boy” over Hiroshima on Aug Enola Gay drops “Little Boy” over Hiroshima on Aug 6, 1945. Over 40,000 people are killed immediately, 6, 1945. Over 40,000 people are killed immediately, and 100,000 more die over the next few months.and 100,000 more die over the next few months.

Hiroshima Poetry, Prose and ArtHiroshima Poetry, Prose and Art I don't know what weapons World War III will be fought with, I don't know what weapons World War III will be fought with,

but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. ~Albert Einstein~Albert Einstein

Our technology has exceeded our humanity. Our technology has exceeded our humanity. ~Albert Einstein~Albert Einstein

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. If you gaze too long into an he does not become a monster. If you gaze too long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.~Friedrich Nietzsche~Friedrich Nietzsche

If more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, If more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place to live.I am convinced the world would be a little better place to live.~John Fitzgerald Kennedy~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

http://www.thehypertexts.com/Hiroshima%20Poetry%20Prose%20and%20Art.htmhttp://www.thehypertexts.com/Hiroshima%20Poetry%20Prose%20and%20Art.htm

Japan does not surrender.Japan does not surrender.Aug 9, 1945- “Fat Man” is dropped on Nagasaki. Aug 9, 1945- “Fat Man” is dropped on Nagasaki.

Another 40,000 people are killed, with 40,000 more Another 40,000 people are killed, with 40,000 more dying over the next 4 months.dying over the next 4 months.

USSR Steps InUSSR Steps In

Between the two bombs, the Soviets, Between the two bombs, the Soviets, according to the Yalta agreement, invaded according to the Yalta agreement, invaded Japanese-held Manchuria. They quickly Japanese-held Manchuria. They quickly defeated the Kwantung Army, which was the defeated the Kwantung Army, which was the largest Japanese fighting force.largest Japanese fighting force.

Japanese tanks attacking Soviet positions from Manchuko.

V-J Day-Sept 2, 1945: Japan officially V-J Day-Sept 2, 1945: Japan officially surrenders aboard the surrenders aboard the USS MissouriUSS Missouri

War is War is Over!Over!

Casualties of War: Military & Casualties of War: Military & Civilian DeathsCivilian Deaths

US: 418,500US: 418,500 Germany:7,500,000Germany:7,500,000 Great Britain: 450,000Great Britain: 450,000 France: 562,000France: 562,000 Russia: 23,000,000Russia: 23,000,000 Italy: 459,900Italy: 459,900 Japan: 2,600,000Japan: 2,600,000

TOTAL: 75 MILLION DEATHSTOTAL: 75 MILLION DEATHS

U.S. Occupation of JapanU.S. Occupation of Japan General MacArthur oversaw the General MacArthur oversaw the

United States’ occupation of Japan. United States’ occupation of Japan. He wanted to keep Emperor Hirohito He wanted to keep Emperor Hirohito on the throne to calm the Japanese on the throne to calm the Japanese people, so the former Prime Minister people, so the former Prime Minister Tojo Hideki was blamed for Japan’s Tojo Hideki was blamed for Japan’s involvement in the war.involvement in the war.

MacArthur wanted to help rebuild MacArthur wanted to help rebuild Japan, not punish them, so the U.S. Japan, not punish them, so the U.S. provided relief in the form of food, provided relief in the form of food, money, and aid.money, and aid.

Emperor Hirohito became a public Emperor Hirohito became a public figure and a diplomat, traveling figure and a diplomat, traveling around the world and helping Japan around the world and helping Japan build new bonds with other nations.build new bonds with other nations.

Impact of World War IIImpact of World War II

Total war – nations destroyed, first use of Total war – nations destroyed, first use of the atomic bombthe atomic bomb

Starvation & diseaseStarvation & disease Approx. 75 million deadApprox. 75 million dead Creation of United Nations in 1945: 50 Creation of United Nations in 1945: 50

member nations, Security Councilmember nations, Security Council Cold War: conflict between US & USSRCold War: conflict between US & USSR