Some Background• Western countries have been exploiting Asia and treating

Asia’s peoples with great prejudice for centuries.• The 19th century Western carving up of China had been a

warning to Japan.• Japan realized that to retain their independence and

national character they had to adopt some Western ideas, and quickly.

• In particular, Japan copied Western military ideas.• Japan’s modern military then set about finding ways to

promote Japanese interests abroad.• China was defeated in battle in 1894-5 and Japan got

influence on the mainland and Taiwan. This was the First Sino-Japanese War. (Sino=Chinese)

The Japanese Empire

• Japan has a severe lack of natural resources. • Prior to 1941, the U.S. had been selling fuel and

metal to Japan, which Japan was using to build its military.

• Nearby Manchuria had plenty of coal, plus industries and ports.

• China had already been carved up by the Western powers; why shouldn’t Japan do the same?

The Emperor Hirohito 1926-1989• The Emperor Showa of

Japan.• He had complete control

over, and commanded complete loyalty from his subjects.

• It was his responsibility for starting and ending the wars against China, USA, Britain etc.

• He was protected from prosecution in 1945 by the US who needed him to keep Japan from collapsing.

The “Rape of Nanjing”

Yangtze River, Nanjing, 2009

Yangtze River, Nanjing, 1937

Trade Embargo Against Japan

• Starting around 1940, the U.S., Australia and the U.K., began an embargo against Japan

• Japan obtained the majority of its resources (especially fuel and oil) from other countries

• By blocking trade to Japan, who was already suffering from sever economic recession, they economically drained Japan

• This backfired and enticed Japan to use its military force to get the resources it wanted

Was the U.S. Seen as a Threat?

• July, 1941, U.S. moved the Pacific fleet toward Japan and stationed long range bombers in Pearl Harbor and Wake Island

• Also, U.S. moved fleets to San Francisco Bay and increased military presence in the Philippines

Wake Island Hawaiian Islands

Japan

San Francisco Bay

Philippines

Japan Takes the First Shot

• December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, U.S. military base in Hawaii– Surprise!

• 2,402 Americans killed, 1,282 wounded, numerous ships and aircraft destroyed

• Intended to prevent the U.S. from interfering with Japan’s imperial plans in Southeast Asia– Whoops!

• Direct cause for U.S. entry into WWII– December 8, U.S. declared war on Japan

American Opinion of Japanese

“Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips”

Japanese Internment

SHORT VIDEO!

Why Internment?

• Many Americans thought Japanese-Americans were planted here in case of war

• Many Americans saw all Japanese-Americans as potential collaborators

• Interning Japanese-Americans was seen as a “military necessity,” despite there being no evidence to suggest so

Executive Order 9066

• Signed by Roosevelt in February, 1942• Authorized the military to designate areas from

which certain people could be excluded• And to designate certain areas as military zones– War Relocation Authority, Relocation Centers

• Paved the way for internment of about 110,000 Japanese-Americans

• ≈70% of those interned were American citizens!

Korematsu vs. United States• Fred Korematsu was a Japanese-American man who

decided to stay in California and knowingly violate internment laws

• Korematsu argued that the Executive Order 9066 was unconstitutional

• He was arrested and convicted• In 1944, Supreme Court sided with the government, ruling

that the exclusion order was constitutional and that the need to protect against espionage outweighed Korematsu’s rights as an individual and the rights of Japanese-American citizens

9066 Rescinded

• January 2, 1945, internment was officially ended

• Last camp closed in 1946• The freed internees were given $25 and a train

ticket to their former homes• Most remained in the US, some emigrated to

Japan

Apology

• In 1988, congressed passed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988– The legislation said that government actions were

based on "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership”

– Awarded $20,000 to each surviving internee, totaling $1.6 billion in reparations of Japanese-Americans

In 1998,Fred Korematsuwas awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom