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Japan had invaded Manchuria without any declaration of war, which violated the rules of the League of Nations. Japan invaded because they lacked the oil, rubber, and lumber that China had. They attacked by placing explosives next to the South Manchuria Railroad near Mukden which allowed Japan to seize cities along the railroad. -
Following the invasion of Manchuria, Japan began expanding through China which led to the Second Sino-Japanese War. This became the largest Asian war in the twentieth century and ended with Japan's surrender in 1945 -
Germany, Italy, and Japan form the Axis powers after signing the Tripartite Pact in Berlin. The Pact ensured mutual assistance if any nation are attacked by a country not already involved in the war. -
After refusing to withdraw from China, Japan was banned from receiving oil, steel, scrap iron, and aviation fuel exports from the U.S. As a result, Japan lost 88% of its oil and faced an economic crisis. -
Japan sent hundreds of aircrafts to Hawaii where they bombed Pearl Harbor for nearly 2 hours. Japan thought that attacking the U.S. would be an easy win and would provide them with lots of land and resources. Japan formally declared war on the U.S. later that morning. This attack only strengthened American nationalism and pushed them to join WW2.
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The day after the attack, President Roosevelt gave a speech where he addressed the nation. Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war on Japan. Congress approves and declares war on Japan with Great Britain. -
Following the U.S. declaring war on Japan, Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. -
Colonel James H. Doolittle led 16 bombers in an attack on Tokyo and other nearby cities. This raid caused little damage but boosted American morale. It showed Japan that the U.S. would fight back.
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President Truman warned Japan to surrender or face "complete destruction." Japan refused so the U.S. dropped two nuclear bombs first over Hiroshima, then Nagasaki. The blast, heat, and radiation of the two bombs killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of people.
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After the recent bombing of Japan, their air force and navy was completely destroyed and left the economy devastated. Boarded on the Missouri in Tokyo Bay was the U.S., Japan, Britain, the Soviet Union, and China. Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed on behalf of the Japanese government and General Yoshijiro Umezu on behalf of the Japanese armed forces. The Japanese surrender marked the end of WW2
