1. The Nuremberg Trials and Postwar Japan
In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:
Nuremberg Trials
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Japanese Constitution
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2. In June 1943, Allied forces landed in Italy
and helped the Italians overthrow
Mussolini. Mussolini was hanged. In
June 1944, Allied troops invaded
northern France on D-Day. By 1945,
Germany surrendered.
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3. Hitler committed suicide. However, several of the most important Nazi
leaders were tried and convicted for
“crimes against humanity”. The
Nuremberg Trials revealed to the world
the full extent of Nazi atrocities.
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4. The trials established the principle that
there was something superior to national
law. Germany was also divided and
occupied.
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5. series of imperialistic attacks on mainland Asia in order to become
The Japanese began a
series of imperialistic
attacks on mainland
Asia in order to become
a world power. Japan
brutally defeated China,
Manchuria, Korea, and
lands in Southeast Asia. Japan even bombed the
U.S. naval base at Pearl
Harbor.
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6. The Japanese launched a surprise attack
on the U.S. fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor
in late 1941 because the United States
threatened a blockade that would
thwart Japanese aggression in Asia.
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7. Initially, the Japanese had sweeping victories in Asia.
However, the American
forces began liberating
Pacific islands from Japan in
After Germany was
defeated in 1945, the United
States turned its full strength
against Japan. American
atomic bombs were dropped
on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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8. Nearly 200,000 Japanese civilians were killed. Fearing
additional attacks,
Japan surrendered
on August 14,1945.
Japan was thoroughly
defeated. Its
military had been
destroyed and its
cities were in ruins.
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9. In September, 1945, American General
Douglas MacArthur accepted Japan’s
unconditional surrender. MacArthur
was assigned the task of rebuilding
and reforming post-war Japan.
Important changes were introduced.
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10. virtually eliminated. Japan was forbidden to have
Japanese war leaders
were punished. Japan’s
ability to wage war was
virtually eliminated. Japan
was forbidden to have
any army or navy, except
a small “self-defense force.”
Japan also renounced the
use of nuclear weapons.
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11. Japan’s overseas empire was taken away, leaving Japan with just
her home islands.
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12. A new constitution made Japan one
of the most democratic nations in the
world. War was renounced, and the
constitution removed power from the
emperor. Control of the government
was placed in the hands of the Japanese
people.
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13. Japanese women were given the
right to vote.
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14. Questions for Reflection:
What were the Nuremberg Trials and what principle was established at Nuremberg?
What happened to Germany after its defeat?
Why did the United States drop two atomic bombs on Japan?
What task was General MacArthur given?
Describe postwar Japan.
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