World War II

I. Japanese Imperialism

A. Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

1. Why?

a) international reputation

b) economic development

2. Where & When?

a) Taiwan & Korea (by 1910)

b) Manchuria (1931) & parts of China (1937)

c) SE Asia, New Guinea & Solomons (by 1942)

B. Micronesia

1. How acquired?

a) Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902)

b) World War I (1914)

c) League of Nations (mandated territory)

2. Lack of resistance by islanders

a) military take over

b) no pan-Micronesian identity

c) no educated elite

d) majority not affected

3. Colonial policies

a) economic development

b) Japanize Micronesia

-- assimilation

-- immigration

II. The Pacific Theater

A. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Dec. 7, 1941) --> start of war

B. Who? = Japanese vs. Allies (Americans & Australians)

C. Key Battles

1. Guadalcanal, Solomons (Aug. 1942)

2. Tarawa, Gilberts (Nov. 1943)

3. Saipan, Marianas (June-July 1944)

4. Pelelieu & Angaur, Palau (Sept.-Oct. 1944)

5. Iwo Jima, Bonins (Feb. 1945)

6. Okinawa, Japan (June 1945)

-- e.g. Kamikaze pilots

D. Atomic Bombs dropped --> end of war

1. Hiroshima (Aug. 6, 1945)

2. Nagasaki (Aug. 9, 1945)

III. Impact on Pacific Islanders

A. Islanders' involvement during the war

1. coastwatchers (i.e. Bill Bennett)

2. soldiers (i.e. George Maelalo)

3. laborers (i.e. "Fuzzy-Wuzzy Angels" of Kokoda Trail)

B. Different experiences

1. Japanese occupation

2. Allied occupation

C. Lasting changes

1. social & cultural

a) Pan-Pacific identity

b) educated elite

c) migration

2. economic & political

a) infrastructure

b) challenge colonial authority

c) permanent armies

Think/Write Question

Do you agree with the assessment that characterizes the Micronesians as victims under the Japanese and beneficiaries under the Americans?