Tensions between Japan and the United States during the 1920s and 1930s - Essay Example

Unit IV Exam #2 Tensions between Japan and the United s during the 1920’s and 1930’s. From the beginning, of 20th century anti-Japanese sentiments were becoming prevalent in the U.S. This culminated into curbing of emigration of Japanese into U.S. The United States legislative body as well as the court system placed provisions that limited naturalization to peoples of Asian origin. After Japan’s invasion of Northern Indochina in 1931, and its resultant domination over China, the US introduced a policy of non-recognition. This policy stated U.S. non-recognition of Japan’s conquest. One of the indications of ever simmering tensions between Japan and United States was the termination of Washington Naval Treaty in 1934, which had stood for twelve years (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 809). As a result, the U.S. placed an embargo on exportation of aircrafts to Japan in 1938 as well freezing of her assets in the United States. The relations between the two countries became even tenser in the fall of 1941 culminating in Pearl Harbor attack (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 812). Part of the problem emanated from Japan’s dislike to the ungenerous treaty of Versailles. The country was hoping to expand its territory in order to accommodate its increasing population. Japan also rejected calls for disarmament; instead, it doubled its efforts in militarizing as exhibited by construction of giant battleships. Another indicator of souring tensions between Japan and United States was the termination of Washington Naval Treaty in 1934, which had stood for twelve years. There was also a persistent anti-Japanese prejudice on the West Coast (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 829). Japan’s main Motivations behind the Attack on Pearl Harbor The main motivation behind Japan’s Pearl Harbor attack was to weaken U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor so that it could have a chance of overrunning Thailand, Malaya, and Philippines (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 838). The Japanese saw the fleet as a hindrance that could foil their plans, and hence had to be taken out. Japan hoped that the attack will avail an opportunity of engaging in a blitz war, where it would accomplish its mission long before U.S. launched a retaliation. With the success of the mission, Japan hoped to comprehensively achieve its conquest of China and unite the whole of Greater East Asia under its domination. In addition, the attack was motivated by geography since it was closer to Japan compared to other likely targets like San Francisco. Pearl Harbor offered the Japanese aviation a shorter distance to travel as well as a low risk of detection. Another key factor that was at play was deception. The Japanese were fooling around in negotiations with U.S. whereas their main resolution was to attack U.S. The attack was also motivated by US’s intervention in its affairs such as the placing of an embargo steel, scrap iron, and fuel. This arose from Japan’s incursion into Northern China to seek the commodities that it could no longer source from US. Similarly, the two nations were rivals in the sense that Japan had signed a mutual defensive pact with Germany and Italy in 1940. Was Pearl Harbor a victory for Japan? Japan attack at Pearl Harbor was a mistake right from the beginning. This is because the attack turned around popular opinion in the U.S., which at first was apprehensive about declaring war. This attack led to increased national unity behind intervention. For instance, the American Communists who had previously condemned Anglo-French imperialists’ war now agitated for an assault on the axis powers (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 828). Therefore, Japan’s attack was unnecessary since by then the US was more determined than ever to defend itself and its interests. #3 How the American People dealt with the War on the Home Front The impact of World War II on America’s cultural, social, and economic landscape was immense. The politics of the war set forth increased calls for patriotism and sacrifice. The war time era exhibited a public-spirited community, focused only in winning the war. On the home front, Americans took pride in knowing that they were engaging in a dignified and successful cause. War time home front, witnessed changes in industrial, agricultural, science and technology, manpower, financial, morale, and political spheres (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 837). Economic Effects The prevailing low industrial capacity resulting from effects of Great Depression was rejuvenated by enormous military orders (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 832). Other changes were also witnessed in diverse fields of the economy such as farming as farmers stepped up their efforts to provide for an ever increasing demand. This saw changes in agriculture such as increased mechanization and use of fertilizers. However, these changes also brought about economic constraints such as an inflationary surge. The economy experienced a surge in its GDP, and the masses had more disposable income. The realm of labor provision also changed with increases in membership as well as capping of wages (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 832). The war on the home front also availed incentives such as high wages, on-the–job training, and medical care which were better compared to those present during the Great Depression. This was also the time in which public-private partnerships such as between the government and Universities were reinforced. Nevertheless, the conflict was exceptionally expensive; almost ten times that of World War I. To foot the bill, the people had to bear increased tax rates as well as increasing national debt (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 838). Social Effects of the War The war had a revolutionary effect on the demographics especially of manpower and women power. An increased number of women and African-Americans were employed to take up non-combatant duties and plug voids left by departing service men. Efforts to keep the industrial and food producing machines running, also led to recruitment of worker from other regions such as Mexico, who took up agricultural production activities (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 833). In some way, this brought about diversity within the ethnic composition of the society. The massive incorporation of women into production activities brought about institutions such as day care centers for mothers who worked in the industries. Even after the end of the war, the changes of social roles of women also stood because many still remained as working mothers (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 834). Cultural Changes The war had a profound effect on race relations, which previously had been a regional issue such as ethnic intolerance especially on African-American and people of Asian ancestry. During war time, race relations became a national issue with volatile tensions manifesting over employment, housing, and segregated facilities. One of the weighty developments of this era was the emergence of strong anti-sentiments on peoples of Asian ancestry arising from displaced suspicion on their loyalty. This brought about people been subjected to unfair and degrading stereotyping. War time era provided the impetus for racial equality and nondiscrimination movements, such as executive order 8802 which outlawed discrimination in defense industries. #4 The Responsibility of Women and Minorities during the War Women and some of the minorities took non-combat duties that were left open by service men who had departed to the war (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 833). Women and the minorities provided necessary labor to sustain the military campaigns. With the onset of the war, some of the women served as Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). The women recruited into these contingents where they served as nurses, office personnel, and doctors. Their work proved to be invaluable and was the backbone of the military. African-Americans, on the other hand, contributed the most of the manpower, which stood at 11% of total US military population by the end of the year. The Selective Service Act enabled African-Americans to be enlisted into the Army, Marine Corps, Air Corps, and Coast Guard. Despite the legislation of anti-discrimination policies, racism and subordination was still rampant in the army. Therefore, African-American soldiers faced a twin-pronged battle: psychological conflict arising from racism and combat confrontations in the battlefield (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 836). Native American (Indians) also featured in the war and played an incredible role as radiomen since they were Navajo Code talkers. Native Americans enhanced use of a secure and resilient Navajo code, which was almost impossible to break (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 836). Their skills and competence enhanced safe radio transmissions. Hispanics comprising of Puerto Ricans and New Mexico National Guard which was mainly based in Philippines, also enlisted in the war and boosted the numbers and success of U.S. Army. Lastly, another notable contribution by the minority was that of Japanese Americans commonly referred to as 442nd Regiment. However, this minority group was off a rocky start with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This incidence triggered resentment towards people of Japanese ancestry whom loyalty was questioned. As a result, most people with Japanese ancestry were placed in concentration camps out of suspicion of being spies. Nevertheless, the US government changed its tune in 1943 and gave them a chance to join the Army. The 442nd Regiment, which fought in many European campaigns, is credited as being the most decorated unit in the history US. Women were the most affected by the war since it heralded radical changes into the social, economic, and cultural aspects of their life (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 834). The war enabled women to delve into nontraditional roles such as serving in WAAC. They could also engage in formal employment with high wages complete with provisions such as day care facilities, medical cover and maternity leave. When the women stepped into service and workforce, many saw it as a mere civic duty oblivious of the structural changes that would be brought by the war such as equality, and a depart from the traditional role of homemakers. Women relished gaining of new skills and economic independence. In my opinion, the minority group, which was least affected by the war, was Hispanics. Having participated in other wars such as World War I, they were better integrated within American system. They thus did not suffer many structural changes. Similarly, the discrimination that they faced was also lower. #5 How the Allies Managed to Defeat Germany While Germany was annexing much of Europe, Japan was busy launching its expansion into Greater East Asia while Italy was making efforts to establish prominence in the Mediterranean and North Africa. The mobilization of the National Guard and transfer of weaponry into Britain were the first efforts made by US in setting the stage for an outward war incorporating various armies against Germany (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 821). Rainbow Plan, which implicitly held that the allies will act to impede the axis powers, stressed the responsibility of Air Corps in air defenses and air power projection. The allied forces mounted a galvanized land-air war with persistent air raids (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 841). The allies had made immense investments in weaponry such as battleships, aircraft carriers, submarines, and destroyers. The allies also had pooled immense material resources compared to Germany, which by then sources for raw materials were dwindling. The allies waged a coalition warfare strategy known as Grand Alliance. The main focus of the coalition was to overthrow the German and Japan regimes, which had started the war. They also intended to effect a military occupation in the countries, punish the axis powers leaders for war crimes, and eventually impose friendlier regimes. The British also brought sophistication, as they could break German’s codes with ease (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 842). This was crucial in winning the battle of the Atlantic. Much of the success of Allied forces arose from a coordinated strategy, even though it was shadowed by differing ideologies, geopolitical claims, and divergent perceptions on post-war international order. The allied forces carried out no-stop strategic air campaigns on German’s military, industrial, and population centre targets. These air attacks crippled German’s war fighting capability. They also combined ground forces penetration which aided in securing landing grounds. Their main strategy of first gaining air superiority minimized casualties. This approach also enhanced ground support operations. Effective blockade of reinforcement fizzled out Germany’s ability to sustain its war efforts (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 842). The air assets of the allied forces were strengthening under the control of a single command structure of the 12th Air Force. This gave the commander the opportunity to shift air resources as deemed fit. This was a brilliant strategy that minimized losses that would otherwise result from multiple command structures. Hence, the allied centralized resources were able to gain an edge over German’s dispersed resources. The strategic bombing campaign dealt a heavy blow to German’s morale. The all out second front, which shows attack of Germany from both East and West overwhelmed German’s forces that were dispersed. The allies were also able to project a strong sea control. The allied navies’ coordinated attacks on Germany’s submarines weakened Germany’s ability to sustain its war effort. The allied forces had access to large numbers of merchant vessels and warships and had instituted an innovative anti-submarine warfare. In the battle of Atlantic, Germany suffered enormous losses on its submarines. The allied forces had also adopted diversionary tactics that duped Germans (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 844). Such operations included cross-English channel attack and securing of Mediterranean landings. Allied warships had also rendered German naval patrols futile, while bombers had destroyed radar units. Thus, the ability of Germans to detect enemies was mutilated. Allied forces efforts culminated with the defeat of Germany and Japan in 1945. Italy had earlier surrendered to the allies in 1943. In conclusion, tensions between Japan and the United states in the 1920 and 1930s can be regarded as a contributing factor to the war. Japan invaded Indochina in 1931, making the United States introduce a policy of domination. On the home front, the Americans seemed determined to win the war. Women and minorities played the role of providing necessary labor, which was essential in sustaining the military campaigns. The allies managed to defeat Germany since they had adequate war machinery, such as warships, submarines, and weaponry. Works Cited Kennedy, David, Cohen Lizabeth and Bailey Thomas. The American Pageant: A History of the Republic, 14th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2008. Print. Read More