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The Nuremberg Trials and Postwar Japan

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

Nuremberg TrialsHiroshima and NagasakiJapanese Constitution

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In June 1943, Allied forces landed in Italyand helped the Italians overthrow

Mussolini. Mussolini was hanged. In June 1944, Allied troops invaded

northern France on D-Day. By 1945,Germany surrendered.

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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 worldthe full extent of Nazi atrocities.

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The trials established the principle thatthere was something superior to national

law. Germany was also divided and occupied.

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The Japanese began aseries of imperialisticattacks on mainland

Asia in order to becomea world power. Japan

brutally defeated China,Manchuria, Korea, and

lands in Southeast Asia.Japan even bombed theU.S. naval base at Pearl

Harbor.

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The Japanese launched a surprise attackon the U.S. fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor

in late 1941 because the United Statesthreatened a blockade that would

thwart Japanese aggression in Asia.

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Initially, the Japanese hadsweeping victories in Asia.However, the American forces began liberating

Pacific islands from Japan in 1943. After Germany was

defeated in 1945, the UnitedStates turned its full strengthagainst Japan. American

atomic bombs were droppedon Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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Nearly 200,000 Japanese civilians

were killed. Fearingadditional attacks, Japan surrenderedon August 14,1945.

Japan was thoroughlydefeated. Its

military had been destroyed and its

cities were in ruins.

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In September, 1945, American GeneralDouglas MacArthur accepted Japan’sunconditional surrender. MacArthurwas assigned the task of rebuilding

and reforming post-war Japan. Important changes were introduced.

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Japanese war leaderswere punished. Japan’sability to wage war was

virtually eliminated. Japanwas forbidden to have

any army or navy, excepta small “self-defense force.”Japan also renounced theuse of nuclear weapons.

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Japan’s overseasempire was taken

away, leaving Japan with just

her home islands.

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A new constitution made Japan oneof the most democratic nations in theworld. War was renounced, and theconstitution removed power from theemperor. Control of the government

was placed in the hands of the Japanesepeople.

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Japanese women were given theright to vote.

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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.