War in the Pacific

1. War in the Pacific 1941-1945

2. Rise of Japanese Imperialism • Japan had a policy of isolationism. • Fearful of Western powers, Japan began to adopt Western style military technology, legal forms, industry, dress, food etc. “Expel the Barbarian” • Japan also adopted Western imperialism (expanding power, gaining colonies, creating an empire) • Japan began taking steps to increase their sphere of influence in East Asia(late 1800s-1900s)

3. Tensions between Japan & Asia • 1910 Japan Annexes Korea and strengthens control over Taiwan • In1931 Japan annexes Manchuria in order to gain resources, expand their power and secure their borders • Japanese aggression generates international criticism and eventually Japan withdraws from the League of Nations in 1933 • In 1936 Communists and Nationalist parties create the United Front • Asian-Pacific War

5. War with China • Japan reaches the Chinese capital of Nanking Dec. 13 1937 • The six-week long campaign against the citizens of the Capital became known as the Rape of Nanking • Nanking safety zone – John Rabe, Minnie Vautrin, Sugihara Chiune • League of Nations and the U.S. condemn Japanese aggression in China. U.S. places sanctions on Japan to try to drive them out of China eg. Embargoes & supplying weapons

8. Japan Enters WWII • Astalemate with the Chinese army and the cutting off of supply lines puts Japan in a difficult situation • 1941 Japanese bomb Pearl Harbour and at the same time invade Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Guam, Malaya • The next day the U.S. declares war on Japan

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymQoktCc-NM&feature=related

10. Battle of Hong Kong I • Britain asked Canada to help them defend Hong Kong, The Royal Rifles and the Winnipeg Grenadiers are sent– also the first Canadian troops to experience battle • The troops were classified as ‘C’ force • The Japanese soldiers on the other hand were very well trained having been a part of the troops that fought in China since 1937.

11. Battle of Hong Kong II • Canadian and allied forces were outnumbered • Hong Kong officially surrendered December 25 1941. • Those who survived became prisoners of war in Japanese prison camps – treatment of POWs was very harsh • Sergeant-Major John Osborne and Sergeant Gander - Victoria Cross & Dickin Award

13. Osborn of Hong Kong – Historica Minute • http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=14743 • http://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/veterans/clips/5836/

14. Japanese occupation of South East Asia • Over the next couple of years Japan slowly takes over more and more of South East Asia • In the beginning people in South East Asia are okay with Japanese rule –they eventually wear out their welcome • Slowly the allies with the help of local resistance push out Japan from South East Asia and China

16. The Atomic Bomb and Victory in the Pacific • The Manhattan Project – Robert Oppenheimer • August 6th1945“Little Boy” is dropped on Hiroshima. Japan still does not surrender and 3 days later, a second bomb, “Fat Man” is dropped on Nagasaki • Emperor Hirohito announces Japans surrender on August 10th 1945 – VJ day

17. Witness at Nagasaki/Hiroshima • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n1rqHo4XyM • http://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/second_world_war/clips/12172/