THE ROLE OF RACISM IN THE CONCEPTION AND CONTINUITY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN IMPERIAL JAPAN (Research Paper Sample)

THE ROLE OF RACISM IN THE CONCEPTION AND CONTINUITY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN IMPERIAL JAPAN
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World war II in Imperial Japan was fueled by racist motives especially the conflict between her and the United States. It was a fight against diversity. War propaganda from warring sides demonstrates how racial the conflict was because the physical appearance and way of life shaped enemy’s description. Many incidences during the war leave no doubt that it was not just a fight for more territories, resources and power, but a racial conflict. Despite taking part in the war form antagonistic sides, Japanese Americans were treated unfairly compared to German and Italian Americans. This racial confrontation between Americans and Japanese explains the reason why in spite of the fact that they were fighting from opposite sides (allied and axis forces), they focused their energy on each other rather than on group victory. This paper outlines the role of racism in the conflict leading to the Second World War, the axis forces and the Pacific Battle, paying close interest to Imperial Japan.
‘Down with the Japs’
Diversity played a key role in shaping the conflict between Allied and Axis forces particular Japan and the US. Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii USA, by Japanese forces, the US government detained Japanese Americans. They were treated like enemies by locking them and spreading propaganda against every Japanese nationality. They were described as yellow people and even children were taught that they were the country’s main enemy. It would be argued that resources and power were the major causes, but the subsequent attack on other countries in the East by Japanese troops proves otherwise. Japan wanted to expand her territory and influence all across Asia and one of the ways she did that is by forcing others to submit to them. Her strong cultural and political and cultural background gave her the morale to attack neighbors forcing them to declare loyalty to her.[Leonard, Kevin Allen. 1990. "Is that what we fought for?" Japanese Americans and racism in california, the impact of world war II. The Western Historical Quarterly 21 (4): 463-82.] [Leonard et al., n.d]
The Americans on the other hand wanted to control Japan by suppressing their influence in the Asian continent and forcing them to surrender. Most of their propaganda about the latter were based on racial considerations. Posters clearly differentiated people from the two neighboring countries, Japan and China. Children in New York adopted the phrase ‘down with the Japs, the rats.’ Having convinced the citizens about who the real enemy is, the army had all the support to engage Japan in war. Looking at past events, the conflict developed long ago when the American government under the leadership of President Millard Fillmore forced Japan to open up its territory for the westerners. She did not want to let in western influence into her culture but since the US came in forcefully, she bowed to pressure. America wanted Japan to conform to its way of life (western culture) and even she agreed to the demands at the time, her relationship with the latter remained shaky.[Parker, Frederick D. 2011. A Priceless Advantage. 2nd ed. Fort George G. Meade, Md.: Center for Cryptologic History, National Security Agency; 50-65.] [Ward, Jason Morgan. 2007. "no jap crow": Japanese americans encounter the world war II south. The Journal of Southern History 73 (1): 75-104.]