The Nuremberg Trials and Postwar Japan

1
The Nuremberg Trials and Postwar Japan

• In this lesson, students will be able to define
  the following terms
• Nuremberg Trials
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• Japanese Constitution

2
In June 1943, Allied forces landed in Italy and
helped the Italians overthrow Mussolini.
Mussolini was hanged. In June 1944, Allied
troops invaded northern France on D-Day. By
1945, Germany surrendered.
3
Hitler committed suicide. However, several of
the most important Nazi leaders were tried and
convicted for crimes against humanity. The
Nuremberg Trials revealed to the world the full
extent of Nazi atrocities.
4
The trials established the principle that there
was something superior to national law. Germany
was also divided and occupied.
5
The Japanese began a series of imperialistic attac
ks on mainland Asia in order to become a world
power. Japan brutally defeated China, Manchuria,
Korea, and lands in Southeast Asia.Japan even
bombed the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor.
6
The Japanese launched a surprise attack on the
U.S. fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor in late 1941
because the United States threatened a blockade
that would thwart Japanese aggression in Asia.
7

• Initially, the Japanese had
• sweeping victories in Asia.
• However, the American
• forces began liberating
• Pacific islands from Japan in
• After Germany was
• defeated in 1945, the United
• States turned its full strength
• against Japan. American
• atomic bombs were dropped
• on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

8
Nearly 200,000 Japanese civilians were killed.
Fearing additional attacks, Japan surrendered on
August 14,1945. Japan was thoroughly defeated.
Its military had been destroyed and its cities
were in ruins.
9
In September, 1945, American General Douglas
MacArthur accepted Japans unconditional
surrender. MacArthur was assigned the task of
rebuilding and reforming post-war Japan.
Important changes were introduced.
10
Japanese war leaders were punished.
Japans ability to wage war was virtually
eliminated. Japan was forbidden to have any army
or navy, except a small self-defense
force. Japan also renounced the use of nuclear
weapons.
11
Japans overseas empire was taken away, leaving
Japan with just her home islands.
12
A new constitution made Japan one of the most
democratic nations in the world. War was
renounced, and the constitution removed power
from the emperor. Control of the government was
placed in the hands of the Japanese people.
13
Japanese women were given the right to vote.
14
Questions for Reflection

• What were the Nuremberg Trials and what principle
  was established at Nuremberg?
• What happened to Germany after its defeat?
• Why did the United States drop two atomic bombs
  on Japan?
• What task was General MacArthur given?
• Describe postwar Japan.