1. Japan’s Path to War

2. September 1931, Japanese soldiers seized Manchuria
natural resources
Reasoning was the “Mukden incident”
- done by Japanese soldiers in disguise

3. League of Nations goes to investigate
Issues condemnation, and Japan withdraws from the League.
Japan strengthened its hold in Manchuria (Manchukuo) and began to expand into Northern China.
By the mid 1930’s military militants had control of Japanese politics.

4. Japan vs. China
Chiang Kai-shek (China) appeased the Japanese at first allowing them to expand into northern China.
Eventually China decided to resist and a major conflict broke out.
Japan wanted to form the “New Order” and guide all Asian nations toward modernization.

5. Japan in alliance with Germany (Anti-Comintern Pact)
vs. Russia and the 2 countries would divide the resources between them.
When the Nonaggression Pact was signed, Japan had to look elsewhere (southeast Asia). This would risk war with Europe and America.

6. 1940: Japan demands access to resources in French Indochina (Vietnam).
The U.S. refuses and threatens sanctions (on oil and scrap iron)

7. Japan’s Dilemma
Japan begins to formulate plans of a surprise attack on the U.S. and European colonies in S.E. Asia

8. December 7, 1941- Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.
Launched attacks elsewhere throughout the Pacific.
By the spring of 1942 Japan controlled most of the Pacific

9. Axis Powers Germany Italy Japan
World now at War!
Allied Powers
Great Britain
France
United States
(Soviet Union)
Axis Powers Germany Italy Japan