...with the Emperor as the head of the hierarchy. It maintained its isolationist policy and never opened-up to the outside world for centuries and was in a stagnant stage in terms of development. However, in the 19th Century it dumped its feudal past and subsequently emerged stronger and economically superior after the rubbles left behind by the Pacific War in the 20th Century. Japan showed her strength in the two World Wars. Japan is now ranked one of the world’s largest power/economy behind The United States and China. It is regarded as a distinct civilization of its own, with very unique history. To fully understand present day Japan and its economic miracle, critical investigation needs to be done on its past history to see where its foundation of modernity and industrialization has been laid. When investigation was done, it showed that the Meiji Era (1868-1912) is considered to be the upward trajectory that fired-up Japanese industrialization and helped establish its modernization path. This started when Japan’s pre-modern political system and its feudal society (1603-1865): the Edo Period, led by the Tokugawa Shogunate, with its band of radical samurais was ended in 1868. The Tokugawa Shogunate/central Government at Edo was weak, corrupt, and incompetent to cope with foreign pressures. In the chaotic and desperate circumstances that ensured, some rural educated Samurais led the banner of the emperor. This is called the Meiji Restoration, wherein the foundation of the contemporary...
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...ESSAYS FOR THE FINAL EXAM 2014 1. What was the Manhattan project and how did it evolve? How was the decision made to drop the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and how did the bombing end the war? (be specific and complete) Essay – The Manhattan project was central to the United States efforts in constructing a nuclear bomb during the Second World War. Motivated by the fear of an enemy attack from the Nazi’s, the United States was able to develop the world’s most devastating bombs, which would end up killing more than 200,000 Japanese citizens in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In this way, the Manhattan project essentially grew out of America’s efforts to defend themselves against a potential Nazi attack. Hungarian scientist Leo Szilard, after escaping to America, realized that if the Nazis acquired the works recently conducted on nuclear fission, they might be able to construct a nuclear bomb and dominate the world with its destruction. He then convinced Albert Einstein of the impending Nazi threat and Einstein took the initiative to alert the United States by writing a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the letter sent in August 1939, right before the start of the war, Einstein advised that the United States be wary of the threat of nuclear weaponry in the hands of the enemy and that they should begin a weapons building program of their own. A very small committee was established to look into the science and development of a bomb, funded by a mere $6,000. President...
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...Welfield Topic: Why did the leaders of the Meiji government in Japan decide to construct a great empire in Asia? Analyse the implementation of Japan’s Imperial Grand Strategy during the Meiji, Taisho and early Showa eras (i.e 1868 – 1945). Why did Japan’s imperial project end in disaster? What lessons can be draw? Word count (excluding references): 3857 The world in 19th century had seen the breakdown and collapse of numerous empires and kingdoms of Europe and Asia: first The Holy Roman Empire in 1806, then the defeat of Waterloo (1815) - which marked the end of Napoleonic Era, moreover, 19th century also witnessed the decline of the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, this paved the way for other nations like England, France, Russia or China, to rise as new powers. During that time, Japan had dynamic political changes - the hundred-years-peace concreted by the Tokugawa Shogunate could not last any longer as the spread of Western imperialism was becoming larger in Asia. Therefore, the government of the Meiji realized that: Japan should become an Empire and emerge as the paramount Asian power along with her European counterparts, to maintain the balance of power so as to develop its national interests– this was Japan’s Imperial Grand Strategy during early to mid-19th century. In the beginning, a more detailed background of Japanese history will be provided. Earlier than...
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...The Empire of Japan during WW2 The Empire of Japan during World War two seen great victories and expanding territories it also seen dramatic defeat. “At the height of its power in 1942, the Empire of Japan ruled over a land area spanning 2,857,000 square miles, making it one of the largest maritime empires in history (Colin, 1998).” It was the first and only nation to endure the atomic bomb twice. During this paper we will look at the rise and fall of the Japanese Empire. What kind of Government ran this nation? Was their economy a strong or weak economy at the start of the war and how did the war affect it? How did their military operate? The Empire of Japan’s government was a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. To better understand the dynamics of the Government during WW2 you have to travel back to the Meiji Restoration in 1868. “The Meiji Restoration was the political revolution that brought about the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate (a feudal military government which existed between 1603 and 1868) and returned control of the country to direct imperial rule under the emperor Meiji (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009).” Although, at the start of the Second World War the emperor did not have complete control of the government. The Emperor was the supreme ruler and head of state but the prime minister was the actual head of government. The Emperor was worshipped like a god similar to the Pharos of Egypt during ancient times. “Emperor Hirohito was the emperor from...
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...once again. Unfortunately, as they found out a few decades later, that was not the case. War reparations that Germany was forced to pay after WWI tanked their economy, as well as the Great Depression that affected everyone else. It hit Germany the hardest and they were forced to somehow find a way out of debt. Because of this, Germany was weakened politically and emotionally, and a person like Adolf Hitler was easily able to persuade the people that he will make Germany the best nation in the world, as well as the rise of his Third Reich. Separately, Japan and Italy wanted to also become powerful nations and hypothetically rule the world, but needed help in achieving that goal, so they allied with Nazi Germany in order to form the Axis of Power. The opposition to the Axis was called the Allies, and they are mainly led by the United State, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. As time passed, WWII would become the bloodiest battle of all time, casualties as high as 70 million, about 30 million more than at the end of WWI (Cole, 700-705). After WWI, Germany began to change by adopting...
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...(Gordon and Andrew 14). Every side was characterized by different atrocities, yet engaged just on those conferred by the other, and the citizens on both sides of the Pacific were on alert to expect the worse from each other. The Japanese had seen sixty-six of their significant urban areas and major cities demolished by the fierce fire of bombs and reduced to ashes. The twin bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 cannot escape many people's mind. At their occurrences, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings brought an unexpected end to what has been known as a 'war without mercy', yet the choice to surrender was contradicted by military leaders until the Emperor interceded and broke a gridlock that existed among his senior advisors. Japan's almost 15 year frenzy through Asia (1931–45) was done, at last killing an expected 3 million Japanese and more than 15 million Asians, for the most part in China. Japanese mercilessness actions in war, including abuse of prisoners-of-war (POWs), created assumptions favoring retaliation and punishment. It was in this unfriendly atmosphere that US troops arrived in Japan and started the Occupation (Higley, John and Burton 48). The American government argued that developing a democratic nation in Japan included change in every aspect of Japanese life. Under MacArthur and with the collaboration of the Japanese, Japan embraced colossal changes in only seven short years. This is the time that the occupation took place (1945 to 1952). ...
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...(Gordon and Andrew 14). Every side was characterized by different atrocities, yet engaged just on those conferred by the other, and the citizens on both sides of the Pacific were on alert to expect the worse from each other. The Japanese had seen sixty-six of their significant urban areas and major cities demolished by the fierce fire of bombs and reduced to ashes. The twin bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 cannot escape many people's mind. At their occurrences, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings brought an unexpected end to what has been known as a 'war without mercy', yet the choice to surrender was contradicted by military leaders until the Emperor interceded and broke a gridlock that existed among his senior advisors. Japan's almost 15 year frenzy through Asia (1931–45) was done, at last killing an expected 3 million Japanese and more than 15 million Asians, for the most part in China. Japanese mercilessness actions in war, including abuse of prisoners-of-war (POWs), created assumptions favoring retaliation and punishment. It was in this unfriendly atmosphere that US troops arrived in Japan and started the Occupation (Higley, John and Burton 48). The American government argued that developing a democratic nation in Japan included change in every aspect of Japanese life. Under MacArthur and with the collaboration of the Japanese, Japan embraced colossal changes in only seven short years. This is the time that the occupation took place (1945 to 1952). At the...
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...David Goldberg Week 7 Individual Work “Writing in his journal on July 25, 1945, President Truman described with utter clarity his views on the destructive nature of the atomic bomb: We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may be the fire of destruction prophesied in the Euphrates Valley era, after Noah and his fabulous ark. Yet, despite his characterization of the bomb as the fire that would destroy the world, Truman goes on to state: This weapon is to be used against Japan between now and August 10 It seems to be the most terrible thing ever discovered, but it can be made the most useful. How could a Christian man justify using what seemed to be the very power of God against enemy cities with the intent to kill over 100,000 innocent civilians with the power from one atomic bomb (Goldfield, D., Abbot, C., Anderson, V., Argersinger, J., Argersinger,P, Barney, W, Weir, R. ,2010)?” “Truman’s argument for the use of atomic weapons against Japan focused on the fact that the targets were strictly military and no innocent civilians would be harmed: I have told the secretary of war, Mr. Stimson, to use it so that military objectives and soldiers are the target and not women and children. Truman further argues that the U.S., on account of its reputation as a leader of the civilized world, would never bomb a civilian city: Even if the Japs are savages, ruthless, merciless and fanatic, we as the leader of the world for the common welfare cannot drop this...
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...The Sources of Japanese Militarism Source: J.B. Crowley, “A New Deal for Japan and Asia: One Road to Pearl Harbor” (1970)1 Introduction While the events of Pearl Harbor (1941) became “a date which will live in infamy” for the Americans, it is doubted by many if the attack was to be expected due to the rigid U.S. policy toward Japan. Crowley argues that by not acting against the 1931 Japanese intervention in Manchuria the U.S. “condemned itself to Pearl Harbor and the Pacific War”. In the perspective of the Vietnam War the aspects of Asian nationalism, the heritage of colonialism, communist ideology & national movement emerged. America’s role in Asia should be reassessed, and a better understanding of Asian racism and nationalism is needed. In this perspective Pearl Harbor will be seen as a by-product of Asian nationalism and as a conflict between an Asian country and the Occidental nationalism. As he assumes for the Japanese Pearl Harbor portrayed “a blow against the efforts of the Occidental powers to strangle Japan”. He quotes Tokutomi Sohō’s comment on the Imperial Declaration of War: “We must show the races of East Asia that order, tranquillity, peace... can be gained only by eradicating... [the Anglo-Saxons] ...and by making Nippon the leader of East Asia.” The essay of Crowley aims to help the better understanding of nationalism, colonialism, communism and imperialism in the Asian setting. The post-WW1 situation 1 Besides this essay, I relayed on the Wikipedia...
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...In the following paper I will be examining the process of economic development in Japan. I begin with their history in the Meiji period and how that effected their great success in the postwar development. Then I will go through the different economic stages of economic development in postwar Japan. I will examine the high periods and low period in Japan economics, and the factors behind these shifts in development. Last I will give a conclusion and where I believe Japan economy will be in the future. To understand Japan economic boom after the war you must also look at there history. Without the creation of the industrial economy during the Meiji Japan this economic growth after postwar could have not happened. To look even closer lets examine the period before called the Tokugawa period, from 1630's until the 1860's. Smith explains that "during this period Japanese economy experienced unparalleled growth and structural change" (Smith, Page 4). The system was set up on rules and obligations on all sections of society. These systems of control helped rapid urbanization. Education is also a factor in the economic development in Tokugawa period. Tokugawa Japan abapted Confucianism belief system from there neighbors China. This became important because "one of the distinctive traits of Confucianism was reverence for education and learning" (Smith, Page 5). This spread of education was dramatic. Not Macdonnell, 2 Only did the knowledge seep...
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...certainly the most powerful of all weapons, but it is conclusively powerful and effective only in the hands of the nation which controls the sky.” –Lyndon B. Johnson. Nearing the end of World War II, Harry S. Truman decided to use two atomic bombs on Japan to make the war end quicker. On August 6, 1946, during World War 2, a U.S B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, the United States dropped a second explosive on Nagasaki. These two bombs played a major role into how Japan surrendered and how the Allied Powers won the war. Before the war began, Japan was an overpopulated nation. The country was “heavily dependent on foreign imports of food and raw materials” (WWII Overview 4). In 1931, people in the country pushed Emperor Hirohito, the dictator of Japan, to attack China for raw materials. As time passed, the military grew immensely, dominating the economy and government, also known as militarism. The army’s numbers grew and the navy had aircraft carriers, powerful battleships, and strong air and submarine...
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...Douglas MacArthur: The Big Chief in America and Japan General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), is well-known in the history of army in the United States and one of the soldiers who served the United States for more than a half-century. He was born on January 26th, 1880, at the Little Rock Barracks in Arkansas and grew up on outposts of the western borderline in which his Army officer father, Arthur MacArthur (1845-1912), was positioned. He later mentioned about the experience in his early childhood, “It was here I learned to ride and shoot even before I could read or write–indeed, almost before I could walk or talk.” (History.com) MacArthur was talented and candid; besides is best known for his crucial parts in World War II and following reconstruction of Japan. In this paper, his educational and political background, political challenges and accomplishments, and also relationship with particularly the United States and Japan are going to be explicated. EDUCATIONAL AND POLITICAL BACKGROUND Douglas MacArthur spent his entire life in the military of the United States. He lived in a far-off region of New Mexico in his early childhood in which his father, Arthur MacArthur Jr., instructed an infantry company charged with guarding settlers and railroad employees from the Indian "menace." When he was a teenager, Arthur served with division in the Union Army, and he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after all for showing a courageous assault up Missionary Ridge...
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...The scope of this essay is that the decision, to drop the atomic bomb, made by President Truman was largely influenced by political factors rather than military factors. By observing the historical timeline, the Cold War started shortly after World War II. Truman was likely to have been aware of the rising power of the USSR. This mostly likely influenced him more to drop the bomb. Truman at the same time could have been influenced by the people around him such as the Manhattan Project and Congress. The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been one of the most widely debated topics to date. The two conflicting sides of the argument are political and militarily. Traditionalist historians argue from the military perspective,...
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...WHAT DO KUME KUNITAKE’S OBSERVATIONS OF THE WEST DURING HIS TRAVELS WITH THE IWAKURA EMBASSY REVEAL ABOUT JAPAN IN THE 1870S? In December 1871 the prominent Japanese minister Iwakura Tomomi led almost half of the new Meiji government (“the government”) on an embassy around the Western world. Travelling with the ‘Iwakura Embassy’ was Kume Kunitake, a Neo-Confucian scholar and historian. Employed as both Iwakura’s personal secretary and the Embassy’s recorder, Kume along with his assistant Sugiura Kozo (later Hatakeyama Yoshinari) were instructed to record what the Embassy witnessed in the West. The record they produced was to form the basis for Kume’s ‘True Account’ (‘Jikki’) of the Embassy’s ‘Journey of Observations’ (‘Kairan’). Clearly set aside from the Jikki’s narrative in indented sections are Kume’s ‘personal views and observations’ (“Kume’s observations”). Yet these are much more than mere observations. Indeed, before Kume could publish his work he required the approval of Iwakura. While this presumably encouraged Kume to toe the government line, it also gave Iwakura considerable influence over Kume. Considering that the Jikki was revised over ten times before it was approved, it seems that Iwakura fully exercised this influence. Indeed, as Kume’s observations often appear to digress from the main narrative it suggests that they were imposed into Jikki at a late stage of compilation, presumably during these revisions. This suggests that these observations were written...
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...World War Two Study Guide Fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry,commerce,etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism. A political movement that employs the principles and methods of fascism, especially the one established by Mussolini in Italy. Benito Mussolini: Benito Mussolini served as Italy’s 40th Prime Minister from 1922 until 1943. He is considered a central figure in the creation of Fascism and was both an influence on and close ally of Adolf Hitler during World War II. In 1943, Mussolini was replaced as Prime Minister and served as the head of the Italian Social Republic until his execution by Italian partisans in 1945. Adolf Hitler: Adolf Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany from 1933 until his suicide in 1945. Hitler was responsible for starting World War II and for killing more than 11 million people during the Holocaust. He was know as the Führer of the Third Reich. As dictator of Germany, Hitler wanted to increase and strengthen the German army as well as expand Germany's territory. Although these things broke the terms of the Versailles Treaty, the treaty that officially ended World War I, other countries allowed him to do so. Since the terms of the Versailles Treaty had been harsh, other countries found it easier to be lenient than risk another bloody European war. When the Nazis attacked Poland World War II began. Nazism: "Nazi"...
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