World History
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WorldWarII.pptxI. Origins in Asia
Japan aspired to, denied “Great Power” status
Needed empire for industrialization
Military took control over government through internal struggle
1931—seizes Manchuria
1937—Invades Northern China
1937-1945: Prolonged war in Asia for hegemony
Like Germany, an industrial nation seeking empire, resources, sphere of interest, vindication for superior race; a mission fueled by rapid nationalism and militarism
“Asia for the Asians” with Japan at top
The Rape of Nanking
Deeply rooted cultural and ethnic animosity
December 13, 1937 Japanese army captures Nanking
Six weeks of terror: rapes, killing contests, brutalities
300,000 killed; 80,000 raped
Some later convicted of war crimes; many avoid prosecution as insulated by U.S. after the war
Remains division in Asia diplomatic relations
“A second rape”: Cloaked in Japan; counter to narrative of Japanese as victims
Dehumanization of the “Other”
Product of total war and nationalism; forces of inclusion and exclusion
Rape of Nanking
“Comfort Women”
Bataan Death March
Holocaust
Hiroshima, Nagasaki
II. Origins in Europe
Hitler rearms, seeks territory lost in 1919
Isolationism; hope of appeasement
Blitzkrieg: Hitler’s hopes for quick, decisive war against status powers (Britain, France)
“Lightning war”
Lessons of WWI: avoid long war, use stockpiles, series of short wars, knock-out rivals
Rapid strikes, penetrate and envelope
Multiple enemies and long war=disaster
1939: Poland and Non-Aggression Pact
1940: Frances falls in six weeks
Again, A World at War
June 1941—Germany attacks Soviet Union
December 1941: Japan’s own Blitzkrieg in Pacific
Germany honors pact with Japan
Another world war, another global remaking…
