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What led to the outbreak of WWII in APAC? - Coggle Diagram
What led to the outbreak of WWII in APAC?
Japan's worsening relations with the West
With Britain
Japan had a belief that they were destined to liberate Southeast Asia and rule them instead of the western powers, so they saw Britain and France as rivals and obstacles to their goal as they already had colonies/territories there.
Relations with Britain worsened after Britain condemned Japan's actions in invading Manchuria in 1931.
During Japan's expansion southward into Southeast Asia, Japan began attacking British colonies, leading the Allied Powers to declare war on Japan and the eventual outbreak of WWII.
When WWII broke out in Europe, most of the British forces were concentrated and went back to the mainland for defense against the Nazis, leaving its colonies in Southeast Asia with low defense. Japan saw this as a great opportunity to create its empire, so it took action.
With the USSR
Being within close proximity with the USSR gave security concerns to Japan, as their ideology of communism went against Japanese beliefs, and over fear that communism may spread in the nation.
This was another reason why Japan invaded Manchuria, to create a vital buffer state between themselves and the USSR for security concerns.
With the US
Relations with the US worsened after the US implemented trade embargos on Japan in response to Japan's invasion of Manchuria. The US mainly stopped exporting oil and coal to Japan, to prevent them from continuously expanding and moving forward, as their industries, vehicles and war materials would require them.
Japan began having tense relations with the US when the US adopted a protectionist policy and implemented tariffs on Japanese goods, which affected the Japanese economy.
Because of this, they had to find their own resources, leading to another factor.
Japan wanted to create more war materials and militarize to prepare for war against the US, and to knock US influence out of the Pacific, eventually leading to Attack on Pearl Harbor, and entry of the US into WWII.
Japan's desire for self-sufficiency
Japan was heavily dependent on exports (especially from the US) for resources, for production and everyday life. During the Great Depression of 1929, Japan suffered when the US stopped trading with them, leading to high unemployment rate and contributed to the rise of military government in Japan.
After the Great Depression, the US adopted a protectionist policy and implemented tariffs on Japanese goods, which protected their own economy but greatly affected Japanese export trade and economy.
Learning from there two incidents, Japan had a desire for self-sufficiency to reduce reliance on foreign trade and exports. The Japanese military government proposed the idea of aggressive expansion to secure resources and new markets for trade. This is what led to their invasion and occupation of Manchuria, not only to show their military might, but also to secure Manchuria's rich resources and arable land for Japanese populations to settle there.
This got negative responses and actions from the West, which contributed to Japan's worsening relations with the West. The US's trade embargo cut off supply of resources to Japan, meaning that Japan had to find a new alternative source. This gave them motivation to invade Southeast Asia, an area full of resources, to be used in production of war materials and for other purposes.
Japan's invasion of these colonies led to the Allied Powers declaring war on Japan and the eventual outbreak of WWII in APAC.
Military's influence and propaganda