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This information is to accompany Unit Three of the Curriculum Guide.

Student Information Sheet: The War Against Japan

By the late 1930s, Japan had achieved military victories over the most industrialized and populated regions of China.

With its territorial acquisitions, the Japanese economy expanded. Japan needed new markets and resources to continue its growth and prosperity.

• The nearest markets and resources were the European possessions in East Asia.

In July 1941, Japan occupied French Indo-China and established new military bases which threatened Dutch, American and British possessions.

• The US responded by expanding economic sanctions on trade with Japan, to include an oil embargo.

The new Japanese leaders felt that the European powers had to removed from East Asia and that force would be the logical instrument.

• On December 7, 1941, Japanese naval and air forces attacked the American Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbour. The American fleet sustained considerable damage.

The surprise attack led to America's immediate entry into war against Japan. Shortly after, Hitler declared war on the United States.

Following Peal Harbour, Japanese forces scored a series of stunning victories.

• By 1942, Japan controlled Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, Burma, the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies and large areas of mainland China.
• Australia, New Zealand and India were all in seriously threatened by Japanese forces.

Despite these successes, the Japanese had overextended themselves. They now faced the American industrial giant, which when activated, could outproduce and outgun Japan.

Japanese leaders were well aware that Japan had limited ability to continue a major war. They hoped that after a series of quick victories, the Americans and Europeans would be forced to negotiate.

Japanese naval and air forces sustained their first major setback in their failed attempt to capture Midway Island in June 1942.

• The Battle of Midway, in June 1942, marked the turning point in the war in the Pacific.
• Following the Japanese defeat at Midway, the U.S. began a campaign to dislodge the Japanese from the Pacific islands.
• In February 1945, Manila was liberated.

Between 1942 and 1945, the process of evicting the Japanese from the Pacific islands was to prove costly for both the Americans and Japanese.

• Japanese forces refused to surrender and most fought to the bitter end. Casualty rates for both American and Japanese forces were extremely high.

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This information is to accompany Unit Three of the Curriculum Guide.

Student Information Map: The Japanese Empire in 1942.