The Fall of Imperial Japan and The Rise of Modern Japan Our Class Begins with a brief history of Japan 800-1945 Discusses the factors leading to World War II Closely reviews the events ending the war describing events you never knew happened Class 2: Japanese Debate Over Surrender Takes a long look at the role of Douglas MacArthur in creating the modern Japan we know today Bill Fisher What We Believe About End US and Britain planned to invade Japan in November Atomic bombs did it all Hiroshima August 6, 1945 Nagasaki three days later Japanese sue for peace What happened was much more complicated More Complicated Militarists held hard line after Hiroshima Even after Nagasaki Believe forcing Allied invasion would bring such great casualties Japan would get better terms supreme battle ketsu - go ( decisive battle ) Emperor Hirohito thought otherwise
Ketsu-Go Japanese Suicide Submarine All-out battle for the home islands Strategy to defeat US fleet while at sea suicide bombers, human torpedoes On land women and children trained to be suicide bombers The sooner the Americans come the better. One hundred million will die proudly 100 were used, another 2000 were ready
Casualty Estimates Allied casualties were estimated by General Marshall to be between 500,000 and 1 million Japanese casualties could well have been in the millions if the fight went on to the end US and Britain were keenly interested in USSR declaring war on Japan to keep Japanese troops in Korea and Manchuria Between Yalta and Potsdam A lot happens FDR dies of a stroke - Truman is President Stalin breaks pledges on Poland Atomic bomb test at Alamogordo is successful Truman gets the word while at Potsdam Churchill is voted out of office while at Potsdam Stalin s commitment to war with Japan less important?
While at Potsdam Plutionium bomb tested successfully Truman advises Stalin and got little reaction He knew from his spies in US Potsdam Declaration Issued by joint Allied communique July 26, 1945 Demanded unconditional surrender of Japan Elimination of leadership who led Japan to war - no mention of Emperor Occupation of Japan determined by Allies Japanese sovereignty limited to home islands Forces disarmed and war criminals to be tried - Japan not to be enslaved Japan to remove obstacles to democracy and free speech Japan to keep industries and return to international commerce Failure to agree "would lead to prompt and utter destruction of Japan" Japanese Militarists Insist Little Boy and Fat Man Japanese forces disarmed by Japanese War criminals to be tried by Japanese No American occupation of Japan Retention of the Emperor - status unchanged Alternate designs: originally Little Boy was long and thin Originally called Thin Man after FDR Fat Man was nicknamed after Churchill
Hiroshima One of few remaining Japanese cities not fire bombed Port city on the Inland Sea HQ of Japanese 2nd Army Targeted August 6 Little Boy Uranium bomb Simplest design Not the type tested at Alamogordo NM Set to explode in the air about 2000 ft above ground
Enola Gay Mission Led by Col. Paul Tibbetts B-17 veteran of Europe Navigator was Dutch Van Kirk Flawless mission Hiroshima Castle 2nd Army HQ
Hiroshima Castle 2nd Army HQ
Nagasaki August 9: Target was to be Kokura Mission was jinxed from the beginning Paul Tibbets replaces Fred Bock as commander with a friend, still using the B-29 Bock s Car Bock relegated to the photo plane Just before taxiing - mechanic says reserve fuel tank pump not working What Else Can Go Wrong? Rendezvous with weather and photo plane overdue because one was at wrong altitude Weather plane finds too many clouds at Kokura Bock s Car already short on fuel has to go to alternate target Nagasaki Clouds at Nagasaki force several passes Contrary to Truman s order - commander orders bombing by radar instead of visual At last second bombardier makes visual sight Seriously Low on Fuel Tojo on Sidelines Does not hit proper aim point - destruction limited Sweeney decides to divert to Okinawa as it was impossible to reach Tinian Had hard time raising control tower Landed on almost empty Removed as Prime Minister after the fall of Saipan In retirement Nagasaki raid almost ends in disaster Former PM Tojo
Timeline 1st Meeting with Hirohito June 22 Peace Feeler to Russians July 14 Potsdam Declaration July 26 Hiroshima August 6 USSR Declares War August 8 Nagasaki August 9 2nd Meeting with Hirohito August 10 Atomic Bombs Don t Budge Military from History Channel The Last Mission Unheralded US POW Army Air Corps Lt Marcus McDilda P-51 pilot captured by Japanese Brutally interrogated about the bomb Makes up all sorts of info to avoid more beatings Tells Japanese there are many A-bombs - Tokyo is next
Japan s Big Six Key Japanese Players The inner war Cabinet Had met twice already to consider the Potsdam Declaration Each meeting ended in 3-3 draw. Emperor traditionally never weighs in Emperor Hirohito Emperor Hirohito Prime Minister Suzuki Prime Minister Suzuki Foreign Minister Togo Foreign Minister Togo Admiral Yonai Admiral Yonai General Anami General Anami General Umezu General Umezu Admiral Toyoda Admiral Toyoda Prime Minister Suzuki Admiral Yonai Navy Minister Foreign Minister Togo Emperor Hirohito Baron Hiranuma Visitor General Anami War Minister General Umezu Army Chief of Staff Admiral Toyoda Navy Chief of Staff A Ringer at Last? Head of Privy Council No legal right to be there Normally would carry out their decisions - not be involved in deciding Suzuki would use him as a devil s advocate in the August 10 meeting Baron Hiranuma President of Privy Council
Meeting in Air Raid Shelter Grounds of Imperial Palace Hot and humid - no A/C All dressed in formal attire Emperor arrives with disheveled hair
The Great Debate NO! Prime Minister Suzuki Emperor Hirohito General Anami Dramatization of Emperor Hirohito s Decision from History Channel The Last Mission Foreign Minister Togo Admiral Toyoda Baron Hiranuma NO! Admiral Yonai General Umezu Suzuki asks the Emperor to break the deadlock But There s More to Come Stay Tuned Next Week