St. Camillus College of Manaoag Foundation, Inc.

Barangay Licsi, Manaoag, Pangasinan

(075) 519-5200; 529-1246
www.stcamillus.edu

Discussants: Instructor: Dr. Norberto Ferrer

Christian V. Tabilin Asian Civilization
Jefferson Natnat
Jeane April Dacanay

THE FAR EAST AND WORLD WAR II

Japans Ambition to Dominate the East

Japan claimed that she had a mission to play in the drama of Oriental affairs, that is, to unite all
Asian nations under her leadership in order to promote their common peace and prosperity. She
called this mission the NEW ORDER IN GREATER EAST ASIA. To fulfill her mission,
she aimed to establish the GREATER EAST ASIA CO-PROSPERITY SPHERE, which
was a federation of Asian nations under her leadership.

Japan and the Axis Powers.

Japans imperialist ambition was opposed by Great Britain, France, the United States, and
Russia, who all had stakes in the orient. For this reason, Japan turned to Axis Powers
Germany and Italy for aid and friendship. Germany was then a Nazi state under Hitler; and
Italy, a Fascist state under Mussolini. Both powers, like Japan, were hungry for territories and
were enemies of democracy.

By the year 1937, Japan was ready to push to conquest of China. She had Hitlers assurance of
aid in case of Russia should interfere.The Chinese were defeated in many battles, but they were
not conquered. By the end of 1938, Japan occupied North China.

Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis

While the Japanese armies were over running China, the SECOND WORLD WAR broke out in
Europe. It began on SEPTEMBER 1, 1939, when the Nazi forces of Hitler invaded Poland. The
democracies France, Great Britain, and Belgium fought against Hitler. Mussolini, dictator
of Italy, joined the war on Hitlers side.

On June 22, 1940, France fell. News of the collapse of France was welcomed by Japan. The
Japanese militarist thought that Germany would win the war.

On September 27, 1940, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact, which established the Berlin-Rome-
Tokyo Axis. By this pact, Japan recognized the leadership of Germany and Italy in Europe, while
Germany and Italy recognized the Leadership of Japan in the Far East. It also provided that if
one of them should be attacked by another power, the other two Axis members would come to its
aid.
Russo-Japanese Neutrality Pact

On April 13, 1941, Japan signed a treaty with Soviet Russia. This was the Russo-Japanese
Neutrality Pact. It provided that Russia and Japan would remain in case the other should be
involved in war with a third power. This pact was a diplomatic victory of Japan. It eliminated
the danger from Russia in case Japan fights the United States or any other power.

The Atlantic Charter

To counteract the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis, the United States and Great Britain strengthen their
ties. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met on board a
warship off the coast of Newfoundland. On August 14, 1941, they issued a joint declaration,
known as the ATLANTIC CHARTER.

Tension in American-Japanese Relations

By the beginning of 1941 the relations between America and Japan grew tense. The raging war in
Europe was spreading to the Pacific. America, aside from helping Great Britain to stop Hitler in
Europe, aided China to check Japan in the Orient.

On March 11, 1941, President Roosevelt signed the LEND-LEASE Bill to help the countries in
struggles against aggression. By giving armaments and funds to Great Britain and China, the
United States became an ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY.

Japan landed her troops in French Indo-China and seized Hainan and Spratly Islands near the
Philippines. On July 26, 1941, in response to this Japanese move, President Roosevelt ordered
the freezing of all Japanese assets in the United States and organized the USAFFE (United
States Armed Forces in the Far East), under the command of General Douglas MacArthur.

Meanwhile diplomatic conversations were being held in Washington, D.C., between Secretary
State Cordell Hull and Ambassador Kichisaburo Nomura to relieve the tension in American-
Japanese relations. Simultaneously, the ABDC (American, British, Chinese and Dutch)
militarists were conferring in Manila and Singapore for common defense against Japan.

On November 26 Secretary of State Hull submitted to the Japanese diplomats a memorandum

embodying definite proposals for restoration of good relations between the United States and
Japan.

Early in December, while Tokyo was studying the Hull Memorandum, more Japanese forces
poured into Indo-China.

On December 6, 1941, President Roosevelt addressed a personal appeal to Emperor Hirohito to

maintain peace in the Pacific.

Outbreak of the Pacific War

At 7:55 A.M., Sunday, December 7, 1941 the DAY OF INFAMY- Japan suddenly attacked
Pearl Harbor. This was the Honolulu time. In the Philippines, it was 2:30 A.M., December 8,
1941. Japanese planes and baby submarines blasted the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the defenses of
Pearl Harbor; Americas greatest naval base in the Pacific. The Americans were caught by
surprise. Within the two hours, the Japanese attackers sank or badly damage 19 American
vessels, destroyed 177 planes, and caused casualties of 2,343 dead, 1,272 wounded, and 960
missing.

One hour after the treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor, Nomura appeared at the State
department and gave Japans reply to Secretary Hulls Memorandum of November 26. A few
hours later, Japan declared war on the United States. On December 8, the United States
declared war on Japan. Great Britain also declared war on Japan. On December 11,
Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. On the same date, United States
declared war on them. The European war, which Hitler began on September 1, 1939, became a
global war- the SECOND WORLD WAR.

The Japanese Offensive

Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, Japan hurled her air-land-sea forces against
democracys ramparts in the Far East. Hongkong, the Philippines, Singapore, and Guam were
bombed. On December 8, Thailand was invaded, and after a little resistance it surrendered to
Japanese. Two days later, Japanese forces invaded Philippines. The fighting Filipinos, led by
General MacArthur offered resistance.

On December 13, Guam, Americas outpost in the Marianas surrendered to the Japanese.
Christmas day, Hongkong fell. McArthurs gallant Fil-American forces, hard pressed by the
Japanese invaders, retreated to Bataan to make their last stand.

On February 15, 1942, as Bataans guns defied Japan. Singapore, Englands greatest naval base
in the orient fell.

The ABDA (Americans, British, Dutch, and Australian) fleet was defeated by the Japanese
navy in the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27. On March 9, Rangoon, Burmas Capital,
fell.

By April, 1942, only the Philippines, Americas bulwark in the Far East, remained
unconquered. Bataan fought unto the bitter end. It fell on April 9, 1942. Corregidor continued
the hopeless fight until its fall on May 6.

The heroic stand of the Philippines saved Australia. It gave the Australians more time to
strengthen their defenses. It also destroyed Tokyos timetable of conquest.

Allied Aggressive-Defensive Policy

The United States and other Allied powers were busy in the European front. They could not
concentrate their forces in the Pacific to beat Japan. Their main aim was to defeat Hitler first.
After the fall of the Philippines, Japan dominated the Far East. From New Guinea and the
Solomons, Japan threatened Australia. And from Burma, Japan menaced India and Ceylon.

General MacArthur, who escaped from Bataan on March 11, 1942, organized the South West
Pacific command in Australia. He stopped the Japanese offensive at New Guinea and the
Solomons. Admiral Chester Nimitz, the new Pacific Naval Commander, conducted a series of
naval raids on outlying Japanese bases.

On May 4-8, 1942, the American task force blasted the Japanese fleet which was sailing toward
Australia, in the Battle of Coral Sea.

Allied Offensive

Toward the end of 1943, the UNITED NATIONS (new name of Allies) began the offensive in
the Pacific. On June 15, 1944 Saipan was invaded, after a hard fight of 25 days. On June 19,
while the marines were fighting the Japanese at Saipan, Nimitz fleet defeated the Japanese Navy
in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea. On October 20, 1944, General MacArthur, leading a
mighty armada of liberation forces, landed at Leyte. He kept his promise to the Filipino People,
which he gave in 1942: I SHALL RETURN. While he was smashing the Japanese in Leyte,
the American fleet once more defeated the Japanese navy in the Second Battle of the Philippine
Sea, which was fought from October 23 to 26, 1944. After liberating Leyte, the American forces
landed in Mindoro on December 16 and later in Lingayen on January 9, 1945.

On the night of February 3, the vanguard of MacArthurs forces entered Manila and liberated
the Allied internees. On February 27, the Commonwealth Government was restored in Manila.
On July 5, 1945, MacArthur announced the Liberation of the Philippines.

Allied Assaults on Japan

The victories of General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz exploded Japans dream of
GREATER EAST ASIA CO-PROSPERITY SPHERE. On November 24, 1944, Tokyo was
bombed by American planes. Everyday, since then, Tokyo and other cities of Japan were raided
by American planes.

On August 6, 1945, the first ATOMIC BOMB was dropped on the Japanese city Hiroshima.
The destruction was terrific 60% of the city was wiped out. Japan pleaded with Russia to
mediate for her, but Russia refused. On August 8 Russia declared war on Japan and invaded
Manchuria. The next day the second ATOMIC BOMB was dropped on Nagasaki 40% of the
city vanished.

The End of the War

Two horrible atom bombs brought Japan to her knees. On August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered
unconditionally to the United Nations. General MacArthur was named Supreme Commander
for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in Japan.

On August 19, the famous Kwantung Army of 1,000,000 men surrendered to the Russian in
Manchuria. The next day the Japanese military envoys signed in Rangoon the surrender of the
forces in Burma, Malaysia and Indonesia. On September 3, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the
TIGER OF MALAYA surrendered in Baguio. At last, the Second World War was over.
 THE FAR EAST AND WORLD WAR II
Japans Ambition to Dominate the East
Japan claimed that she had a mission to play in the
drama of Oriental affairs, that is, to unite all Asian
nations under her leadership in order to promote their
common peace and prosperity. She called this
mission the NEW ORDER IN GREATER EAST
ASIA. To fulfill her mission, she aimed to establish
the GREATER EAST ASIA CO-PROSPERITY
SPHERE, which was a federation of Asian nations
under her leadership.
Japan and the Axis Powers.
Japans imperialist ambition was opposed by Great
Britain, France, the United States, and Russia,
who all had stakes in the orient. For this reason,
Japan turned to Axis Powers Germany and Italy
for aid and friendship. Germany was then a Nazi state
under Hitler; and Italy, a Fascist state under
Mussolini. Both powers, like Japan, were hungry for
territories and were enemies of democracy. By the
year 1937, Japan was ready to push to conquest of
China. She had Hitlers assurance of aid in case of
Russia should interfere. The Chinese were defeated in
many battles, but they were not conquered. By the
end of 1938, Japan occupied North China.
Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis
While the Japanese armies were over running China,
the SECOND WORLD WAR broke out in Europe.
It began on SEPTEMBER 1, 1939, when the Nazi
forces of Hitler invaded Poland. The democracies
France, Great Britain, and Belgium fought
against Hitler. Mussolini, dictator of Italy, joined the
war on Hitlers side. On June 22, 1940, France fell.
News of the collapse of France was welcomed by
Japan. The Japanese militarist thought that Germany
would win the war. On September 27, 1940, Japan
signed the Tripartite Pact, which established the
Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis. By this pact, Japan
recognized the leadership of Germany and Italy in
Europe, while Germany and Italy recognized the
Leadership of Japan in the Far East. It also provided
that if one of them should be attacked by another
power, the other two Axis members would come to
its aid.
Russo-Japanese Neutrality Pact
On April 13, 1941, Japan signed a treaty with Soviet
Russia. This was the Russo-Japanese Neutrality
Pact. It provided that Russia and Japan would remain
in case the other should be involved in war with a
third power. This pact was a diplomatic victory of
Japan. It eliminated the danger from Russia in case
Japan fights the United States or any other power.
The Atlantic Charter
To counteract the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis, the
United States and Great Britain strengthen their ties.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime
Minister Winston Churchill met on board a warship
off the coast of Newfoundland. On August 14, 1941,
they issued a joint declaration, known as the
ATLANTIC CHARTER.
Tension in American-Japanese Relations
By the beginning of 1941 the relations between
America and Japan grew tense. The raging war in
Europe was spreading to the Pacific. America, aside
from helping Great Britain to stop Hitler in Europe,
aided China to check Japan in the Orient. On March
11, 1941, President Roosevelt signed the LEND-
LEASE Bill to help the countries in struggles against
aggression. By giving armaments and funds to Great
Britain and China, the United States became an
ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY. Japan landed her
troops in French Indo-China and seized Hainan and
Spratly Islands near the Philippines. On July 26,
1941, in response to this Japanese move, President
Roosevelt ordered the freezing of all Japanese assets
in the United States and organized the USAFFE
(United States Armed Forces in the Far East),
under the command of General Douglas
MacArthur. Meanwhile diplomatic conversations
were being held in Washington, D.C., between
Secretary State Cordell Hull and Ambassador
Kichisaburo Nomura to relieve the tension in
American-Japanese relations. Simultaneously, the
ABDC (American, British, Chinese and Dutch)
militarists were conferring in Manila and Singapore
for common defense against Japan. On November 26
Secretary of State Hull submitted to the Japanese
diplomats a memorandum embodying definite
proposals for restoration of good relations between
the United States and Japan. Early in December,
while Tokyo was studying the Hull Memorandum,
more Japanese forces poured into Indo-China. On
December 6, 1941, President Roosevelt addressed a
personal appeal to Emperor Hirohito to maintain
peace in the Pacific.
Outbreak of the Pacific War
At 7:55 A.M., Sunday, December 7, 1941 the
DAY OF INFAMY- Japan suddenly attacked
Pearl Harbor. This was the Honolulu time. In the
Philippines, it was 2:30 A.M., December 8, 1941.
Japanese planes and baby submarines blasted the
U.S. Pacific Fleet and the defenses of Pearl Harbor;
Americas greatest naval base in the Pacific. The
Americans were caught by surprise. Within the two
hours, the Japanese attackers sank or badly damage
19 American vessels, destroyed 177 planes, and
caused casualties of 2,343 dead, 1,272 wounded, and
960 missing. One hour after the treacherous attack
on Pearl Harbor, Nomura appeared at the State
department and gave Japans reply to Secretary Hulls
Memorandum of November 26. A few hours later,
Japan declared war on the United States. On
December 8, the United States declared war on
Japan. Great Britain also declared war on Japan.
On December 11, Germany and Italy declared war
on the United States. On the same date, United
States declared war on them. The European war,
which Hitler began on September 1, 1939, became a
global war- the SECOND WORLD WAR.
The Japanese Offensive
Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, Japan
hurled her air-land-sea forces against democracys
ramparts in the Far East. Hongkong, the
Philippines, Singapore, and Guam were bombed.
On December 8, Thailand was invaded, and after a
little resistance it surrendered to Japanese. Two days
later, Japanese forces invaded Philippines. The
fighting Filipinos, led by General MacArthur
offered resistance. On December 13, Guam,
Americas outpost in the Marianas surrendered to the
Japanese. Christmas day, Hongkong fell.
McArthurs gallant Fil-American forces, hard pressed
by the Japanese invaders, retreated to Bataan to
make their last stand. On February 15, 1942, as
Bataans guns defied Japan. Singapore, Englands
greatest naval base in the orient fell. The ABDA
(Americans, British, Dutch, and Australian) fleet
was defeated by the Japanese navy in the Battle of
the Java Sea on February 27. On March 9,
Rangoon, Burmas Capital, fell. By April, 1942,
only the Philippines, Americas bulwark in the Far
East, remained unconquered. Bataan fought unto the
bitter end. It fell on April 9, 1942. Corregidor
continued the hopeless fight until its fall on May 6.
The heroic stand of the Philippines saved Australia.
It gave the Australians more time to strengthen their
defenses. It also destroyed Tokyos timetable of
conquest.
Allied Aggressive-Defensive Policy
The United States and other Allied powers were busy
in the European front. They could not concentrate
their forces in the Pacific to beat Japan. Their main
aim was to defeat Hitler first. After the fall of the
Philippines, Japan dominated the Far East. From New
Guinea and the Solomons, Japan threatened
Australia. And from Burma, Japan menaced India
and Ceylon. General MacArthur, who escaped from
Bataan on March 11, 1942, organized the South West
Pacific command in Australia. He stopped the
Japanese offensive at New Guinea and the Solomons.
Admiral Chester Nimitz, the new Pacific Naval
Commander, conducted a series of naval raids on
outlying Japanese bases. On May 4-8, 1942, the
American task force blasted the Japanese fleet which
was sailing toward Australia, in the Battle of Coral
Sea.
Allied Offensive
Toward the end of 1943, the UNITED NATIONS
(new name of Allies) began the offensive in the
Pacific. On June 15, 1944 Saipan was invaded, after
a hard fight of 25 days. On June 19, while the
marines were fighting the Japanese at Saipan, Nimitz
fleet defeated the Japanese Navy in the First Battle of
the Philippine Sea. On October 20, 1944, General
MacArthur, leading a mighty armada of liberation
forces, landed at Leyte. He kept his promise to the
Filipino People, which he gave in 1942: I SHALL
RETURN. While he was smashing the Japanese in
Leyte, the American fleet once more defeated the
Japanese navy in the Second Battle of the
Philippine Sea, which was fought from October 23
to 26, 1944. After liberating Leyte, the American
forces landed in Mindoro on December 16 and later
in Lingayen on January 9, 1945. On the night of
February 3, the vanguard of MacArthurs forces
entered Manila and liberated the Allied internees. On
February 27, the Commonwealth Government was
restored in Manila. On July 5, 1945, MacArthur
announced the Liberation of the Philippines.
Allied Assaults on Japan
The victories of General MacArthur and Admiral
Nimitz exploded Japans dream of GREATER
EAST ASIA CO-PROSPERITY SPHERE. On
November 24, 1944, Tokyo was bombed by
American planes. Everyday, since then, Tokyo and
other cities of Japan were raided by American planes.
On August 6, 1945, the first ATOMIC BOMB was
dropped on the Japanese city Hiroshima. The
destruction was terrific 60% of the city was wiped
out. Japan pleaded with Russia to mediate for her,
but Russia refused. On August 8 Russia declared
war on Japan and invaded Manchuria. The next
day the second ATOMIC BOMB was dropped on
Nagasaki 40% of the city vanished.
The End of the War
Two horrible atom bombs brought Japan to her knees.
On August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered
unconditionally to the United Nations. General
MacArthur was named Supreme Commander for
the Allied Powers (SCAP) in Japan. On August 19,
the famous Kwantung Army of 1,000,000 men
surrendered to the Russian in Manchuria. The next
day the Japanese military envoys signed in Rangoon
the surrender of the forces in Burma, Malaysia and
Indonesia. On September 3, General Tomoyuki
Yamashita, the TIGER OF MALAYA
surrendered in Baguio. At last, the Second World
War was over.