Spring 2013 – World History II

Japan’s Quest for Power and WWII in the Pacific

Background• Japan does not

have a lot of natural resources and relies mainly on imports

• They were hit hard (and early) by the global depression following the first world war

• Their response was to expand territory to gain natural resources

Japanese military invades and sets up colonies in Manchuria, Korea, and Taiwan

Use high tariffs to limit import of American and European goods in Japan and colonies

Continue spreading territory into French Indochina and throughout Southeast Asian islands

Japan’s Actions

By 1941, Japan has spread her empire throughout much of the region

They have been able to gain access to many of the natural resources needed

Except one important one:Oil

Their Military (especially Navy) needs oil to continue fighting resistance in their colonies and spreading their empire throughout the Pacific

They buy their oil from the US

Through their expansion

US has been practicing isolationism and trying to stay out of the European war

American people think that Asia is too far away to get involved

US President Roosevelt wants to limit Japanese expansionUS issues embargo of oil exports to JapanHopes that this economic sanction will halt

Japanese expansion

US response to Japanese expansion

Japan’s Navy has enough oil stocks to last about six months

even without US oil, they can get the resources they need to control the region by taking over European (British and Dutch) colonies in SE Asia

Japan knows that Europeans are too busy fighting Germany and Italy to fight for these colonies

Believe that US isolationism will keep them from fighting back if Japan destroys the US Pacific Fleet

Japan’s decision

On December 7, 1941, Japanese bombers attacked the Naval force based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Japanese also attack naval bases on Guam, Wake Island, and the Philippines

Japan takes the risk

US response to bombing• US unifies behind

mission and Congress declares war on Japan

• US allies follow and declare war on Japan

• Because of Tripartate Pact (1940) with Japan, Germany and Italy declare war on US

• WWII has officially become a global conflict