Canada and the War in the Pacific
Before the end of World War II, Japan was bound to expand their empire in the Pacific and win control of Southeast Asia's valuable natural resources. They considered the Americans' developing naval strength as an obstacle. Because of this, the Japanese launched an air attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, on the 7th of December, 1941. They gave no warning, so the attack was a total surprise to the Americans. 2403 Americans were killed, and 14 warships and 347 aircraft were damaged. Due to this ambush, the Americans then joined the Allies after being neutral for the whole of WWI and most of WWII.
After Germany surrendered and much of World War II was over in Europe, Japan was still on the verge of expansion of their empire and not coming near to surrendering. As time progressed, the Allies began to win back the Pacific island occupied by Japan. The war of the Pacific was now between America and Japan.
Towards the end of the war of the Pacific, America bombed 58 cities in Japan. In Tokyo alone, 84, 000 people were killed. Harry Truman, whom was president of the United States after Roosevelt, decided to use nuclear weapons against Japan for fearing they would never stop. On August 6th, 1945, the first atomic bomb ever to be dropped in history was dropped on Hiroshima, killing 70, 000 instantly. When Japan was no where near stopping, the Americans dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. This bomb killed 70, 000 as well. In total, 400, 000 people had died from the effects of bombs by 1950.
On August 14, 1945, the Japanese government had surrendered. Finally, World War II ended.
After Germany surrendered and much of World War II was over in Europe, Japan was still on the verge of expansion of their empire and not coming near to surrendering. As time progressed, the Allies began to win back the Pacific island occupied by Japan. The war of the Pacific was now between America and Japan.
Towards the end of the war of the Pacific, America bombed 58 cities in Japan. In Tokyo alone, 84, 000 people were killed. Harry Truman, whom was president of the United States after Roosevelt, decided to use nuclear weapons against Japan for fearing they would never stop. On August 6th, 1945, the first atomic bomb ever to be dropped in history was dropped on Hiroshima, killing 70, 000 instantly. When Japan was no where near stopping, the Americans dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. This bomb killed 70, 000 as well. In total, 400, 000 people had died from the effects of bombs by 1950.
On August 14, 1945, the Japanese government had surrendered. Finally, World War II ended.
"We heard what sounded [like] low-flying planes and explosions, but as the air station was still under construction, didn't really pay attention to it, though someone commented on the fact they were working on Sunday."
-Marine Private First Class James Evans
What did the Canadians do?
When the Japanese started to attack other Allied bases in Southeast Asia, including the British territory of Hong Kong, young and inexperienced Canadian soldiers arrived at Hong Kong to aid the British in the battle. Unfortunately, the Allied troops were not able to defeat the Japanese.
The remaining Canadians who have survived were sent to Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. The Japanese treated the Canadians horribly; they were abused, stabbed, and fed poorly. As a result, more than 260 Canadians died from the brutal conditions, or later, when they were forced to work as slaves in Japanese shipyards and mines.
The remaining Canadians who have survived were sent to Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. The Japanese treated the Canadians horribly; they were abused, stabbed, and fed poorly. As a result, more than 260 Canadians died from the brutal conditions, or later, when they were forced to work as slaves in Japanese shipyards and mines.