Surrender of Japan (post WWII)

Question 1

Allied strategy to surrender Japan

Answer 1

• Cut off Japan from new colonies
• Attack the Japanese economy
• Starve Japan into submission (by 1944, Japan was short on food, railroads, coal, oil, houses and factories)

Question 2

Japanese response to the Allies

Answer 2

• Refusal to surrender from ultra-militarists who dominated govt.
• Ideas of divinity and destiny were ever-present
• Propaganda to encourage dedication of civilians and soldiers
• Fear of the humiliation that would come from defeat

Question 3

How did surrender happen ?

Answer 3

1) At Potsdam Conference (July 1945), US imposed unconditional surrender or destruction (as they now had the atomic bomb.
2) Imperial Rule Assistance mobilised young girls and elderlies and the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War did not want to surrender.
3) Emperor decided to surrender. A coup d’état was crushed by the emperor’s closest generals and surrender announcement was broadcast on nationwide radio on 15 August 1945.
4) It was officially signed on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, with Gen. Douglas MacArthur as US representative and foreign minister Mamoru and Lieut. Gen. Yoshijiro as japanese representatives.

Question 4

Impact of surrender ?

Answer 4

• US occupation from 02.09.1945 to 28.04.1952. Technically Japan was to be under international control, but in reality the Americans controlled it.
• Confusion, relief, fear.