The following scientific work addresses the U.S.-Japan-relation in depth. Each topic is divided into historical facts at first and the analysis of the relationship in the following.
The historical facts are mainly taken from the book: "Die Außenpolitiken der USA, Japans
und Deutschlands im wechselseitigen Einfluß von der Mitte des 19. bis Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts" by Manfred P. Emmes. The relationship analysis bases mainly on my own opinion.
Table of Contents
1. USA and Japan: The world’s police against the criminal
2. 1890-1914: The roots of an upcoming tension
3. An alliance in World War I (1914-1918)
4. A worsening relation between the two World Wars (1918-1939)
4.1. The arms Race and the Washington Fleet Conference (1918-1921)
4.2. The violation of the Gentlemen’s Agreement (1924)
4.3. Japan crosses over to offensive (1931-1933)
4.4. The London Fleet Conference and the USS Panay incident in China (1930-1939)
5. World War II (1939-1945): The highlight of the relation
5.1. USA on its way to war intervention
5.2. The Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941) and the Aftereffects
5.3. The Nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A relation at its deepest point
6. Postwar (1945-1990)
6.1. The Occupation of Japan until 1951
6.2. Reasons and aftereffects of the San Francisco Treaty (1951)
6.3. The 1960s: The US-Japan-relation among the influence of the Cold War
6.4. From the 1970s until the 1980s: The decades of increasing economic rivalry
6.5. The 1990s: The relation after the fall of the Soviet Union
7. The cooperation between Japan and the USA nowadays
Objectives and Research Themes
This work examines the historical development of diplomatic, military, and economic relations between the United States and Japan over the past 120 years, focusing on the evolution from mutual distrust and conflict to contemporary strategic cooperation.
- Historical evolution of U.S.-Japan relations since 1890.
- The impact of World War II and the subsequent post-war transformation.
- Economic and geopolitical shifts during the Cold War era.
- Current status of military and political cooperation between the two nations.
Excerpt from the Book
The Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941) and the Aftereffects
“Pearl Harbor, the modern trauma of the USA, constituted the key event of the military history by being the trigger of the war in Far East [...]. “Pearl Harbor” symbolizes the first massive act of aggression of a foreign force on American property and the vulnerability of a nation that felt save between the Oceans. Moreover, a particularly sensitive area of the American security comprehension was hit.”
This quote by the author Manfred P. Emmes describes the effect of the event on the publicity. Although the USA felt really save, on December 07th 1941 it was destructively beaten at their military headquarter in the Pacific on Hawaii. Japan had not declared war to the United States directly, the rivalry between both nations merely suggested a possible war. Ironically, the USA were already informed about Japanese preparation to war for a long time since the military decoded Japanese radio codes. However, they did not know anything about the size of the troops that were send to America, so they did not really take it seriously. Actually, the Japanese army was on the way to Pearl Harbor since November 25th 1941.
In these days, most of the American pacific fleet was concentrated in Pearl Harbor. The Japanese fleet, that was attacking the pacific base, consisted of six aircraft carrier with about 440 warplanes. Moreover, there were two warships, three cruisers, nine destroyers, several supply ships and six submarines. The surprise attack began in the early morning of December 07th 1941. The first wave comprised about 180 bombers and fighters. The attack lasted for almost two hours and it claimed the lives of 2.400 people. 19 warships and 177 warplanes were destroyed as well.
Summary of Chapters
1. USA and Japan: The world’s police against the criminal: This chapter introduces the historical and ideological framework, positioning the U.S. as a perceived global "police" figure in contrast to Japan's expansionist goals.
2. 1890-1914: The roots of an upcoming tension: This section explores the early geopolitical interests of both nations in Asia and the Pacific, marking the origin of their strategic rivalry.
3. An alliance in World War I (1914-1918): This chapter covers the formal, yet distant, wartime alliance during World War I, noting that underlying tensions remained unresolved.
4. A worsening relation between the two World Wars (1918-1939): This segment details the arms race, diplomatic failures, and increasing military incidents that exacerbated the rift between the two countries.
5. World War II (1939-1945): The highlight of the relation: This chapter analyzes the escalation to war, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the catastrophic impact of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
6. Postwar (1945-1990): This section describes the transition from occupation to strategic partnership, navigating the Cold War, economic competition, and geopolitical shifts.
7. The cooperation between Japan and the USA nowadays: The concluding chapter focuses on contemporary diplomatic relations, military exercises like RIMPAC, and the remaining socio-cultural challenges.
Keywords
United States, Japan, Pearl Harbor, World War II, Cold War, San Francisco Treaty, Economic Rivalry, Geopolitics, Pacific Region, Military Strategy, RIMPAC, Diplomacy, History, International Relations, Defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the historical development and complex transformation of the diplomatic, economic, and military relationship between the United States and Japan from 1890 to the present day.
What are the central themes of the research?
Central themes include territorial competition in the Pacific, the shift from pre-WWII antagonism to conflict, the post-war reconstruction of Japan, and the subsequent evolution into a strategic military and economic partnership.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The primary goal is to analyze the catalysts for conflict and the factors that enabled reconciliation and cooperation between the two nations over the last century.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study employs a historical-analytical approach, synthesizing documented historical events with personal evaluations of the political and economic shifts defining the relationship.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the roots of tension before WWI, the dynamics of the interwar period, the total conflict of WWII, and the complex diplomatic and economic developments during the Cold War and the 1990s.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include U.S.-Japan relations, historical analysis, geopolitical rivalry, military intervention, diplomatic treaties, and contemporary strategic cooperation.
How did the San Francisco Treaty affect the relations?
The 1951 treaty served as a milestone by restoring Japan's independence and integrating it as an equal, albeit strategically aligned, partner in the Western sphere against the influence of the Soviet Union.
What significance does the RIMPAC exercise have today?
RIMPAC serves as a symbolic and practical platform for strengthening military cooperation and interoperability between the United States, Japan, and other allies in the Pacific region.
- Quote paper
- Felix Warmuth (Author), 2013, The U.S.-Japan-relation from 1890 until today, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/268105
