1. Japan (Discussion Notes 7-1) I. Japan’s Land - is an archipelago that lies between the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. A. The 4 largest islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. B. Japan deals with thousands of earthquakes a year and a number of tsunamis. C. Tokyo, the capital, lies on the island of Honshu. D. Ocean currents affect its climate which differs north to south. II. Japan’s Economy - benefits from highly skilled workers. A. Japan is an industrial agent that its factories use new technology. B. Because of its farmland being limited, they practice intensive cultivation. Rice is the chief crop.

2. III. Japan’s History and Government A. The Japanese trace their ancestry to various clans. B. Japan was once ruled by shoguns, military leaders, and powerful landowning warriors known as the samurai. C. In the 1900’s, Japan was a military power who attacked the U.S. in WWII in which the U.S. dropped 2 atomic bombs on. D. Japan’s democracy is a constitutional monarchy in which the emperor is the head of state. IV. Japan’s People and Culture - has nearly 1/2 of the population of the U.S. A. The 2 main religions are Shinto (nature) and Buddhism. B. The Japanese practice sumo, an ancient form of wrestling and baseball.

3. Why The A-Bomb Was Dropped Why Truman used it.Why not to use it.

4. Why The A-Bomb Was Dropped Why Truman used it. Millions of American’s lives would be saved Pearl Harbor Demonstrate its power to the world Did not want Russia in the war No to “unconditional surrender” Why not to use it. Killing innocent civilians Modify the “unconditional surrender” Wait for Russia to enter the war to initiate a land invasion Beginning of an “arms race” The next “Holocaust”?

5. The 2 Koreas (Discussion Notes 7-2) I. A Divided Country - Communist N. Korea and non-communist S. Korea A. The Korean Peninsula juts from northern China. B. In 1910, Japan conquered Korea and governed it until 1945. C. After WWII, communists Soviet Union took over the northern half which was divided by the 38th parallel. D. In 1950, N. Korea attacked S. Korea, but was protected by the U.S. in which no victor was declared. II. South Korea - monsoons affect the climate of both Koreas. A.Manufacturing and trading dominate the economy. B. The major crops are rice, barley, onions, apples, and tangerines.

6. C. The people of the 2 Koreas belong to the same ethnic group. D. Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism are its major religions. III. North Korea - is slightly larger than S. Korea. A. N. Korea is poor in which the government owns and runs factories and farms. It spends much money on the military. B. N. Korean farms do not grow enough food to feed its people and suffer famines. C. Pyongyang is the capital and largest city. Religion is also discouraged.