Korea and Taiwan
15% of rice (1938-41)
Manchukuo and North China
20% of iron
20% of coal (1943)
2/3 of Japan’s energy was generated by coal
8% of steel
74% of scrap iron (1938)
52% of copper (1939)
80% of oil
Essential source of energy for Army vehicles and Navy ships
Economic dependence on imports of raw materials
China's disunity
American isolationism
War in Europe, 1939-41
Germany invades Czechoslovakia, March 1939
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression pact, August 23, 1939
Germany invades Poland, September 1, 1939
Britain and France declare war on Germany, Sept. 3
Soviets invade Poland & Baltic States, Sept. 17
Germany invades Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Spring 1940
*Tripartite pact (Japan, Germany, Italy), Sept. 27, 1940
*Japan's Neutrality treaty with Soviets Union, April 13, 1941
What were the advantages and disadvantages of these treaties for Japan? Why was it tempting for Japan’s leadership to sign these particular treaties?
German invasion of Soviet Union, June 22, 1941
Opportunity: War in Europe
Keep status quo
Colonies in Taiwan, Korea, Manchuria
Armies bogged down in China
Negotiate settlement with U.S.
Northern strategy
Attack Soviet Union
Southern strategy
French, Dutch, British colonies in Asia
French Indo-China occupied, July 1941
Japanese withdrawal from China
Non-intervention in Asian affairs
Peter Duus: both sides self-righteous
America: Ideals of liberty justify protection of European and American colonies
Japan: Hypocritical criticism of American imperialism and racism
Embargoes, 1940
Scrap, iron, steel, aviation fuel
Japanese assets in US frozen, July 25,1941
US bans oil exports, Aug. 1, 1941
Dutch E. Indies bans oil, aluminum exports
US + Dutch East Indies = 90% of Japan's oil
Japan |
U.S. |
|---|---|
Short-term advantage |
Long-term advantage |
Already prepared for war |
Greater capacity to wage war |
Options |
Options |
| Invade SE Asia for resources Pull out of China for peace Find face-saving compromise to avoid war |
Retain sanctions and prepare for war Find compromise that relieves pressure on China and delays or avoids war |
*Prince Konoe resigns
Control Faction
Planned economy
Cabinet positions
Appointed Prime Minister
Continued as Army Minister
Home Minister, 1941-2
Not dictator
Army and Navy Chiefs of Staff report to Emperor
Pearl Harbor, Wake Is., Guam, Midway Is., Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore
Hong Kong, Dec. 25, 1941
Singapore, Feb. 15, 1942
British Malaysia, March 1942
Dutch E. Indies, March 1942
Philippines
Air raid 12/8/41
Invasion, Jan-May 1942