Sec 4N Hist (Elec) Chapter 7: Japan's Defeat

How far do you agree that the defeat of Japan could only have been brought about by the dropping of the atomic bomb?

1. Japan’s defeat in WWII How far do you agree that the defeat of Japan could only have ben brought about by the dropping of the atomic bomb

2. Context Japan’s invasion and occupation of Southeast Asia Japan achieved excellent progress in the early stages of World War II—it rapidly took control of the entire region. Allied forces in Asia Pacific region were ill-equipped and unprepared for battle. Hence, they were unable to response effectively against the Japanese. Although the British reinforced their military strength with troops from Australia and India, these forces were n ot trained to fight in tropical Southeast Asia and were poorly equipped. The US also needed time to recover its naval strength and shift its economy and industries towards supporting the war effort .

3. Context Japan’s rapid advance and eventual defeat Japan had launched simultaneous invasions of several countries in Southeast Asia and the attack on Pearl Harbor. With the US Pacific fleet crippled, it could not challenge these Japanese invasions. Japan planned to seize control of the resources necessary to its war effort , as well as to set up a perimeter defence around this zone to protect its conquests. However, despite its early dominance, Japan was eventually defeated in World War II .

4. How did the United States government respond to the bombing of Pearl Harbour ?

5. Strengths of the US Economic strength Largest industrial producer in the world at the time The USA also had many previously unemployed people (because ?). They proved to be better workers than the forced labour used by the Axis powers.

6. Strengths of the US In contrast, Japan did not have such a strong industrial foundation or capabilities to support their war effort. Japan was also unable to protect their merchant fleet from attacks by American submarines. This weakened the Japanese economy and the people suffered shortages. The Allies also bombed many of the Japanese factories, while the American factories remained out of range from Japanese attacks.

7. Strengths of the US Contribution of women to the war effort Allied countries actively encouraged women to contribute to the war efforts. USA: Woman Ordnance Workers (WOWs) worked in factories to contribute to the war effort. Others even joined in the armed forces, serving as nurses or soldiers . Japan & Germany : emphasised the role of women as mothers and child-bearers who should stay home . This meant that after entering WWII, it was able to quickly switch over from producing consumption goods to military equipment. (link)

8. Strengths of the US Military and naval strengths Pearl Harbor did not cripple US Navy 3 aircraft carriers of the Pacific Fleet was unharmed 3 key battles that showed US resolve / military strength

9. TB pg 196 - 197

10. Continued bombings on mainland Japan Later years of the war: the USA continued aerial bombings of mainland Japan. They also captured strategic island bases such as Philippines and Iwo Jima. 9 March 1945: bombing campaign saw a quarter of Tokyo destroyed. Japanese factories suffered further shortages Workers fled the cities for the countryside As a result, the Japanese economy was at the brink of collapse . (link)

11. Fire-bombing of Japan

12. Ineffective defence of overextended Japanese Empire

13. Key military defeats experienced by Japan Island hopping strategy A military tactic involving a series of battles whereby the military forces attack strategically important islands one by one establishing a stronghold there and then moving on to the next island These defeats inflicted heavy damage to the Japanese military and weakened its ability to defend its empire

14. Desire of the Allies to secure a quick victory in the Asia Pacific Liberation of Allied Prisoners-of-war Japanese used forced labour to solve its manpower shortage. Forced labourers faced harsh conditions, malnutrition and basic health facilities. Prisoners-of-war (POWs) were also used as forced labourers . The Japanese secret police units ( Kempeitai ) also tortured the prisoners. Japanese hostility towards Allied POWs were highlighted in Allied propaganda. This strengthened the determination of the Allied powers to end the war . (link)

15. Minimise Allied losses from kamikaze attacks Kamikaze—suicide missions by Japanese pilots against Allied ships with the intention to inflict maximum damage. Kamikaze attacks were increasingly used by the Japanese to attack the Allies as they tried to gain control of Japanese islands. The Allied leaders were worried that continued kamikaze attacks would lead to extremely high number of casualties. Thus, they were determined to secure a quick victory to minimise losses . (link) Desire of the Allies to secure a quick victory in the Asia Pacific

16. Japanese Kamikaze Squad Tokkotai

17. Allied victory in Europe Japan’s success in the war in the Asia Pacific was partly dependent on the fact that the Allies were distracted by Hitler’s armies in Europe. When the USA formally entered the war, Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that the Allies should concentrate on defeating Germany first. Even before Germany’s defeat in the war in May 1945, it was clear that Japan could not hope to win the war.

18. Demand for unconditional surrender The Allies demanded an unconditional surrender from Japan: It desired a complete victory It wanted to avoid a repeat of the situation in World War I in Europe Allies were outraged at Japanese atrocities and wanted to see them totally defeated. However, the Japanese were determined not to surrender. Japanese leaders could not bring themselves to reveal their weakness to the Allies, let alone surrender.

19. Little Boy Hiroshima (6 Aug 1945) Fat Man Nagasaki (9 Aug 1945)

20. J Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who oversaw the building of the bomb, famously said after the first test detonation: “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds .” The co-pilot, Captain Robert Lewis, commented, "My God, what have we done?" 

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22. Dropping of Atomic Bomb Allied scientists began working on the atomic bomb since 1942 under the Manhattan Project . American leaders considered using the atomic bomb when The Asia Pacific war became increasingly violent Japan showed it would not accept unconditional surrender.

23. Dropping the Atomic Bomb The Allies also wanted to impress the Soviet Union, and to defeat Japan without the Soviet Union’s help. Although the Soviet Union had worked with Britain and USA to defeat Germany, they were divided by ideology.

24. Dropping of Atomic Bomb

25. Hiroshima (Little Boy) 6 Aug 1945, the 1 st atomic bomb was dropped 1/3 of the population died instantly and many more died soon USA repeated its demand for ‘unconditional surrender’ Soviet Union declared war on Japan on 7 Aug 1945 Japan refused to surrender

26. Nagasaki (Fat Man) 9 Aug 1945, 2 nd atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki Another 40,000 people died instantly 15 Aug 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies WWII came to an end