Japan's Pacific Campaign

1. Explain how Japanese expansionism led to war with the Allies in Asia.
2. What were the potential advantages and disadvantages to the "island-hop" plan?
3. Why do you think the Japanese changed their approach from trying to win the support of the colonial peoples to acting as conquerors?

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1. Japan wanted to expand their empire so they decided to take over China. The Japanese armies expected to have a quick victory, but China's resistance caused the war to drag on, which caused a strain on Japan's economy. To increase resources, Japan turned towards the European colonies of Southeast Asia. If Japan were conquer the European colonies, it could also threatened the Philippine Islands and Guam, which was controlled by the Americans. The U.S. government sent aid to strengthen China's resistance to stop the Japanese advance. In respond, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, causing many deaths and wounded. (Textbook: Ch. 16.2 Pg. 497)

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2. The advantage of the "island-hop" plan would be that it would not take as long as storming each island. It allowed the U.S. forces to reach Japan and not spend time, power and supplies to get each Japanese-held island on the way. The disadvantages would be that the Allies had to strike fast and had to have strong air and naval forces. Also, the Japanese troops had time to prepare for the assault they knew was coming. (Textbook: Ch.16.2 Pg. 501)

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3. I think the Japanese changed their approach from trying to win the support of the colonial people's to acting as conquerors because it was easier to control the people.