Discussion Discussion 

In light of the growing militarism in In light of the growing militarism in Germany, how do you think other Germany, how do you think other nations might have responded to the nations might have responded to the growing militarism in Japan?growing militarism in Japan?

other nations might have been worried other nations might have been worried about having to deal with military about having to deal with military aggression in Asia as well as in Europe.aggression in Asia as well as in Europe.

Japan's Desire for Natural Japan's Desire for Natural Resources and ExpansionResources and Expansion

Seizure of Manchuria:Seizure of Manchuria: In 1931 Japan took over the  In 1931 Japan took over the Chinese province of Manchuria to gain access to its Chinese province of Manchuria to gain access to its extensive natural resources.extensive natural resources.

Expansion into Inner Mongolia and northern Expansion into Inner Mongolia and northern China:China: Japan responded to criticism from the League of  Japan responded to criticism from the League of Nations by withdrawing from the League. It continued its Nations by withdrawing from the League. It continued its expansion, seizing territory in northern China and Inner expansion, seizing territory in northern China and Inner Mongolia.Mongolia.

Delayed response by China:Delayed response by China: Chinese leader Chiang Kai- Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek was initially slow to combat Japanese aggression shek was initially slow to combat Japanese aggression because his army was busy fighting Chinese Communists.because his army was busy fighting Chinese Communists.

Japan's advance through China:Japan's advance through China: When Chiang finally did  When Chiang finally did send Chinese troops against Japan, he suffered a series of send Chinese troops against Japan, he suffered a series of setbacks and had to retreat.setbacks and had to retreat.

Discussion Discussion 

Why do you think the Japanese Why do you think the Japanese used deception to justify their used deception to justify their military takeover of Manchuria?military takeover of Manchuria?

other nations might not have other nations might not have accepted Japan's actions without a accepted Japan's actions without a reason and that a simulated attack reason and that a simulated attack by the Chinese gave them an excuse by the Chinese gave them an excuse to invade.to invade.

Background Background  Henry Pu Yi (1906–1967) was three years Henry Pu Yi (1906–1967) was three years

old when his uncle died and he became old when his uncle died and he became emperor of China. He reigned under a emperor of China. He reigned under a regency for three years, then was forced regency for three years, then was forced from the throne following the Chinese from the throne following the Chinese revolution of 1911. This ended the 267-revolution of 1911. This ended the 267-year Qing rule of China and the 2,000-year Qing rule of China and the 2,000-year-old Chinese imperial system. No year-old Chinese imperial system. No longer royalty, Pu Yi chose Henry as a longer royalty, Pu Yi chose Henry as a given name. Pu Yi's autobiography, given name. Pu Yi's autobiography, From From Emperor to CitizenEmperor to Citizen, was published in , was published in English in 1964. Pu Yi also was the subject English in 1964. Pu Yi also was the subject of the 1987 movie of the 1987 movie The Last EmperorThe Last Emperor. .

New Asian Order and New New Asian Order and New Japanese AttacksJapanese Attacks

Attempt to create a New Order in Asia:Attempt to create a New Order in Asia: Japan  Japan hoped to join with China to seize the Siberia hoped to join with China to seize the Siberia region of the USSR, which had vast mineral region of the USSR, which had vast mineral resources.resources.

Effect of Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Effect of Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact:Pact: When Japan's ally, Nazi Germany, signed a  When Japan's ally, Nazi Germany, signed a nonaggression agreement with the Soviet Union, nonaggression agreement with the Soviet Union, Japan's hopes of seizing Siberia were dashed. The Japan's hopes of seizing Siberia were dashed. The Japanese next looked to Southeast Asia.Japanese next looked to Southeast Asia.

Demand for resources of French Demand for resources of French Indochina:Indochina: In 1940, Japan demanded the right to  In 1940, Japan demanded the right to resources in Indochina. The United States resources in Indochina. The United States objected to this demand and threatened Japan objected to this demand and threatened Japan with economic sanctionswith economic sanctions

Discussion Discussion 

How did a change in political alliances How did a change in political alliances force Japan to change its plans for force Japan to change its plans for expansion?expansion?

Japan had hoped to join forces with Japan had hoped to join forces with Germany to invade the Soviet Union and Germany to invade the Soviet Union and divide its resources between them. The divide its resources between them. The alliance between Hitler and Stalin forced alliance between Hitler and Stalin forced Japan to change its plans, looking instead Japan to change its plans, looking instead to Southeast Asia for access to natural to Southeast Asia for access to natural resources.resources.

Discussion Discussion 

What are economic sanctions?What are economic sanctions?

trade restrictions intended to enforce trade restrictions intended to enforce international lawinternational law

Discussion Discussion 

Why was the threat of economic Why was the threat of economic sanctions a concern to Japan?sanctions a concern to Japan?

JJapan had limited natural resources apan had limited natural resources and relied on oil and scrap iron from and relied on oil and scrap iron from the United States. If sanctions were the United States. If sanctions were enforced, the Japanese would lose enforced, the Japanese would lose those resources.those resources.

Discussion Discussion 

What was a key motivation for What was a key motivation for Japan's plans to expand into Japan's plans to expand into China, the Soviet Union, and China, the Soviet Union, and French Indochina?French Indochina?

the need for natural resources to the need for natural resources to support its expanding economy and support its expanding economy and militarymilitary