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The "Black Ships"
The US sent "black ships" to trade with other nations. These ships found themselves on the coast of Japan. Japan was threatened by these ships and signed a trade treaty with the US. Within 5 years of the US visit to Japan, they signed treaties with Great Britain, Russia, France, and Holland. Japan's period of isolation ended after the US arrived. -
The 15 Year-Old Emperor
A 15 year-old emperor took the throne after the ruling shogun was overthrown. The new emperor choose the name Meiji meaning enlightened reign during his rule. His supporters choose the slogan "rich country, strong military" which came true during his reign. His rule brought upon a new era to the country. -
Pacific Power
Britain, Germany, France, and Japan were taking control of China's port cities. The US announced the "open door policy" after seeing that they could lose their profitable trade with China. This policy guaranteed equal trading rights among nations. Japan wanted to build its own Pacific empire and wanted China. Protests by European powers caused Japan to give up this territory. The US took Hawaii as American territory during this time. Hawaii was a prized naval port which was Pearl Harbor. -
The Great Depression
The New York Stock Exchange crash and the failure of important European banks plunged the world into an economic depression. With practically no natural resources Japan was hit especially hard. Japan had to export goods abroad but this was harder as other nations raised tariffs to protect their own struggling industries. Japan's economy grew worse, and they became more aggressive. They increased their territory to gain more raw materials and resources. -
China in Flames
China and Japan went to war. Japan advanced farther into China even though their forces resisted. The Chinese people suffered greatly because of this conflict. Photographs of all the destruction caused nationwide anger against Japan. The US didn't want to get involved in foreign wars although they acted as China's protector. US were more concerned with Europe's rising tension. Japan seized military bases in Indochina, France's Southeast Asian colony. This caused tension between Japan and the US. -
The Tripartite Pact
Japan considered the US a threat. They responded to the threat by joining Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in the Tripartite Pact. The three countries pledged to support one another is any was attacked by the US. The US challenged this by seizing Japanese money and property in the US and placing an embargo on exports of oil, steel, and iron to Japan. Great Britain and Netherlands also cut off exports of oil to Japan. Japan would have to go to war to seize these resources. -
War Warning
Japanese army general Hideki Tojo became the nation's prime minister. Tojo's government leaned toward the navy's approach. They began planning surprise attacks all across the Pacific. Japan prepared for war but they also continued to negotiate for better agreement with the US. Little progress was made towards a peaceful solution. The American military broke several coded communication codes. Found that Japan was planning a major attack in the Pacific but it was not clear when or where. -
The Day of Infamy
The Japanese government began sending a long message to its diplomats in Washington. Japanese diplomats prepared for a final meeting with Secretary of State knowing there were suppose to break off all negotiations with with the US. However that same message had been decoded and rushed to President Roosevelt and to high commanders of the US Army and Navy. The US knew that Japan meant to attack in the Pacific but the message did not reach Pearl Harbor until it was too late. -
Martial Law
Martial Law was declared within hours of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It lasted for 3 years from December 7, 1941-October 24, 1944. It affected every resident of the Territory of Hawaii, citizen and alien alike.