Transcript The Crucible Part II

• International:
– Japanese Empire
–
–
–
–
–
–
Grows
Attack on Hong
Kong
Pearl Harbor
Battles of the
Coral Sea, Midway
and Leyte Gulf
General
McAurthur
Hiroshima
Nagasaki
• Canadian:
– Battle of Hong
–
–
–
–
Kong
Coastal Defense
Ian McKenzie
Japanese
Internment
Operation
Downfall
• Fukoku Kyohei (Enrich the
Country, Strengthen the Military)
• Began in late 1800’s – Japan’s
rapid industrialization and
militarization. In a quest for
resources to support
industrialization, Japan moves out
into South East Asia to capture
supplies from resource rich
countries (Greater East Asian Co
Prosperity Sphere)
Japan – 1937 to 1940
sweeps outward and
takes over much of S.E.
Asia. British presence in
Hong Kong a threat.
Considers the American
naval presence a threat.
England – controls Hong
Kong, heavy naval presence
in region – defended by
close to 14,000 men (2
Canadian Units)
Russia - had
previously fought with
Japan, and sought
peace fearing a two
front war with
Germany. Japan
signed TRIPARTITE
PACT with Germany
and Italy in Sept.
1940
United States – Claims to
Philippine Region, Pacific
Naval base at Pearl
Harbor Hawaii
• By 1940, world opinion
was against Japan.
When Japan captured
Indochina, the US
halted all trade of fuel
to Japan.
• Knowing the time for
peace was over,
Emperor Hirohito
ordered Admiral
Yamamoto to begin
practice and
preparations for
attacking Pearl
Harbor.
• Japan knew the importance of
naval superiority in the Pacific
Ocean.
• They decided a surprise attack on
Pearl Harbor would eliminate the
American ability to fight
• Surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor,
Thailand and the British base at
Hong Kong were launched on
December 7th (PH), and Dec. 8th
• December 7th, 1941
• Torpedo Bombers attack US Pacific
Fleet in Hawaii
• Hope to destroy 4 existing American
Aircraft Carriers
• The attack damaged 5
battleships, sunk 3, and
destroyed many planes, but the
US Air Craft Carriers were not in
port. Japanese failed to destroy
fuel depots.
• Japan has not destroyed the US
naval ability to respond.
• Roosevelt declares war on
Japan on December 8th.
• Japanese invade December 8th.
• British, Indian, and Canadian forces
hold out until Christmas Day
• All 1975 Canadians killed, wounded or
captured (not all supplies had arrived)
• Years of residual hatred towards
migrant Asian workers ignites in BC.
• Violence in Vancouver’s Chinatown,
and government seizures of Japanese
homes, fishing boats follow
• Employers such as the CPR lay off
Japanese workers.
• Ian McKenzie, BC Cabinet Minister,
begins the push to round up all
Japanese in BC (despite RCMP and
intelligence stating there is no threat).
• 100 mile protected area
created along coast
• 22,000 people of Japanese
decent uprooted – men to labor
camps, women to isolated
interior communities
• 1943, All possessions seized
and auctioned
• May 1942- Battle of the Coral Sea –
Japan’s first major setback
• June 1942 - Midway – US decodes
Japanese messages and learns of
attack. Japan loses 4 carriers and
one cruiser (major turning point)
• Oct. 1944 – Leyte Gulf – largest
naval battle in history (282 ships).
• Japan crippled attempting to stop
American landing on Phillipines.
• US General Douglas MacArthur
successfully “island hops” his
troops closer to Japan. Takes
Osaka in June 1945.
• Canadians returning from
defeating Germany volunteer for
Operation Downfall, the planned
land invasion of Japan.
• The operation is cancelled. Other
plans are made.
• President Harry Truman (replaced
Roosevelt who died in April 45),
authorized the atomic attack on
Hiroshima on August 6th 45, and a
second attack on Nagasaki on the 8th.
• Truman believed that by using atomic
weapons, he was sparing the lives of
millions if Operation Downfall had
taken place.
• August 14th, Japan surrenders.