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Japan takes control of desired west-bound islands
Japan takes on islands such as the Dutch Indies, Burma, Malaysia, etc. -
The U.S. begins island-hopping
In response to Japan taking over islands belonging to the U.S., the U.S. begins to "island-hop": going from island to island reclaiming land. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
A Japanese air fleet attacked an American naval base on the coast of Hawai'i -
The Government enacted a mass-incarceration of Japanese-Americans
In response to Pearl Harbor, the government ordered all Japanese-Americans be sent to internment camps, where they suffered horrid conditions and inhumane treatment for upwards to 3, even 4 years -
Hirohito resigns
In response to the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Hirohito resigned from his divine position as Emperor, naming his era the "Showa Era" -
Internment Camps close
Japanese-American "internment camps" were ordered to be closed in 1945, releasing their prisoners, but the last one did not shut down until 1946. -
Japan under American rule
After the end of WWII, following the surrender of Japan, Japan was put under the control of America with harsh military sanctions and control of supplies. -
Japan distances from Axis Powers
When Germany surrendered on May 7th, 1945, Japan saw this as an act of treason and began to distance from the Axis Powers -
The Attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima
President Harry S. Truman launched the first and only nuclear weapons by the United States (effectively creating an Arms Race) on two Japanese cities, HIroshima and Nagasaki, killing 214,000 civilians. -
Hirohito announces Japan's surrender
Reigning Emperor Hirohito officially surrendered from WWII following the attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima via a grainy radio broadcast that lasted seconds.