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Period: to
Japan Establishes Extreme Nationalism
Japan begins to put an emphasis on preserving their traditional values, and rejecting Western values. -
Japan Invades China
Japan goes to war with China, capturing Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing. 300,000 Chinese civilians are killed. -
Japan Joins Axis
Japan signs an alliance with Nazi Germany -
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
Japan launches a surprise attack on the territory of Hawaii, killing 2,403 US citizens. US joins war against the Axis. -
Japan Occupies Multiple Island Countries
Japan has come under control of the Philippines, Dutch East Indies, Burma and Malaya. -
America Begins to make Strides in Pacific
Japanese lose at the battle of Midway. The US begins its "island-hopping" strategy. -
United States Closes in on Japan
US forces have gained enough land to begin bombing raids on Japanese cities. -
First Atomic Bomb Dropped
Japan receives warning from President Harry S. Truman. Military leaders wave off the warning and the first atomic bomb is dropped. -
Second Atomic Bomb is Dropped
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Japan Announces Unconditional Surrender
Emperor Hirohito announces to his country that they have "resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable." The US was quick to accept Japan's surrender.