How were the Japanese islands formed? QOD How were the Japanese islands formed? (HINT!)
Land of the Rising Sun
Physical Features Archipelago Four Main Islands: Honshu (80% of pop), Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido Located in the Ring of Fire 7500 earthquakes per year 75 active volcanoes
Brief Japanese History Lesson Highly developed civilization by time of Western contact 1853: U.S. forces trade agreement signatures
1868-1912: Meiji Resoration Era Hundreds of Japanese sent to west (USA/Europe) to study Japan became more democratic Equality between all men New school system
1900s Age of Imperialism Japan lacks resources (oil/iron) Western example followed – take over weaker nations to exploit for resources Defeated China, Russia, Korea, Manchuria
World War II Aligned with Nazi Germany Dec. 7, 1941 - attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Ends when U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
Pearl Harbor
Atomic bombs dropped on Japan
1945-1952 U.S. Occupies Japan Military leaders removed from power Emperor stripped of political power Armed forces disbanded Forbidden to rebuild military Introduced democratic constitution with economic reforms
1960s: RAPID Economic Success - How? Highly educated workforce + Workplace attitude Relative location Gov’t. planning