Short Essay on the Second World War and Japan

There was possibility of intervention of three powers, Britain, Russia and America at the time of Japanese invasion on China in 1937.

But Japan knew that England was a weak power and possibility of Russian intervention was very slim due to the formation of Anti-Comintern Pact (Germany, Italy and Japan).

Moreover, in 1941 Japan had concluded a non-aggression pact with Russia. Thus, Japan was completely free from the fear of Russia.

Now only America was the country which did not like the rising influence of Japan. Hence Japan endeavoured her best to enter into cordial relations with America at the time of Chinese-Japanese War.

Japan tried to safeguard the economic interests of the American citizens in China. No doubt, the Kuomintang government of Chiang Kai-shek had to face the fierce attack of Japan but China was getting war material and economic help from America via Indonesia and India, and this is why in spite of heavy losses Chiang Kai-shek’s government was not surrendering.

In 1939 after the outbreak of the Second World War Japan continued to expand her territory in China. By this time Japan had established three puppet governments in Manchuria, Mongolia and Nanking.

They served the interests of Japan but the latter was not satisfied still. By this time the policy of Japan had become quite clear.

It is known as ‘New Order’. Japan not only wanted to establish her control over China by crushing the Kuomintang government but also intended to propagate the Monroe doctrine by freeing South-Eastern Asia from European and American influence, i.e., Asia is for the Asians and foreigners should have no right to establish their rule in Asia.

Through the propagation of this doctrine, Japan wanted to establish her superiority in Asia. The Japanese took to the slogan that Japan was the leader, liberator and pathfinder of Asia.

The success of this policy could be possible only if Japan could establish her control over South-East Asia. In 1940-41 Germany and Italy were achieving constant victories in the Second World War.

France had to bow down before the powerful attacks of Germany, and England had also been crushed to some extent. In June 1941 Germany invaded Russia.

It encouraged Japan and she began to feel that only America could be a barrier in the victory of South-East Asia because once America had already confiscated the property of Japan in America in 1940-41.

Now supply of iron and petrol was no more being made by America to Japan. America had also warned that in case of any change in South-East Asia by Japan, she would be forced to act against Japan.

In fact the fear of American intervention was the only hindrance in the fulfillment of the imperialistic policy of Japan.

Japan proposed a treaty with America in 1941 and seeing no possibility of its taking effect, Japan continued talks for about a year so that Japan could attack the island of Pearl Harbour.

On 7th December 1941, Pearl Harboar was attacked. It was Japan’s entry into the Second World War. As a result thereof Germany had to declare war on the side of Italy and America did likewise on the side of France, England and Russia.

The Japanese captured the American colony Philippines in 1942. Her forces also established their sway in English colonies like Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore and Indonesia, the Dutch Colony.

The forces of Japan also achieved victory in Burma and bombed the eastern territory of India. This success of Japan was not only an unexpected achievement but it also proved that Japan was already fully prepared for the war and she had marked her goal.

Things began to change after 1943 with the defeat of the Axis nations. In 1941, America again captured Philippines and in 1945 Germany and Italy surrendered. Japan alone continued war in the Far East.

In 1945 America gave severe jolt to Japan by dropping’ atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6th and 9th August respectively. It compelled the emperor of Japan to surrender which he did on 14th August, 1945.