1. War in the Pacific

2. I. The Japanese build an empire
Why?
Felt that Europe and the US were trying to control Asia
Japan has no natural resources.
A military government under General Tojo took power. Emperor Hirohito was the symbolic leader.

3. Where?
Korea
Taiwan
Manchuria (northern China)

4. II. Japanese prepare for war
Draft instated in 1938
Economy place under government control
Use of propaganda increases

5. III. Alliance with Germany
Win control of Dutch- controlled Indonesia (1941)
Win control of French- controlled Indochina (Vietnam, etc)
Japan had been fighting China since 1937

6. IV. The United States reacts
The United States imposes sanctions, cutting off Japanese supplies of oil and scrap metal.
Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December 1941.

7. V. The war in the Pacific
Japanese were brutal to British and American prisoners of war.
Japanese are brutal to Chinese and Koreans.
Rape of Nanking
Comfort women
Mostly fought on islands
Japanese used kamikaze pilots.
Mostly Americans and British colonial troops