Japan: Pre-war Aggression

Reasons to Expand

• If the Japanese were in need of economic and natural resources, based on the previous map where would they likely target for conquest?

• Based on the video, why did Japan need to expand?

What were the reasons Japan looked to expand?

• Reasons to expand: 1) Economic, 2) Population (70 mil) 3) Natural Resources

• During the 1920s, Japan imported all the resources needed to produce goods– Not enough money from exports to pay for

importslow economic growth and high unemployment

• Depression—high worldwide tariffs made the situation worse

• 1931 Japan invades Manchuria--province of China; condemned by League of Nations– Invasion led by military officers without gov’t

permission• Prime Minister tried to end war, BUT was

assassinated• Remainder of war, Japan will be led by military

• U.S. and League of Nations did not recognize Japanese rule of ManchuriaJapan withdraws from the League

• 1937 Japan attacks China

• Dec. 12, 1937—U.S. boat Panay sunk in China by Japanese bombs; Japanese apologized and paid $2 million

• July 26, 1939—U.S. ended Jap-Am Commercial Treaty of 1911; stopped the sale of U.S. war materials

• 1940—Japan became an ally of Germany and Italy

• Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere—wanted to seize control of any foreign controlled Asian colonies with China

• The U.S. responded with a trade embargo on Japan; Japan demanded the U.S. to stop aiding China

• Oct. 1941 Hideki Tojo came to power• Nov. 26, 1941—Japanese aircraft carrier left

for Pearl Harbor