Reflections on 10/18/2011 Class

As I reviewed my notes from the October 18, 2011 class, I wanted to take a more in-depth look at Japan. During class it was pointed out that during the 1930s, and perhaps even before, Japan needed oil from Indonesia and its drive to take Indonesia prompted US intervention. Ultimately, that intervention caused Japan to strike Pearl Harbor. But was that the only reason? Clearly the Japanese military lacked certain raw materials, particularly oil and rubber, that were not available within their empire. But surely Japan was accustomed to Western powers, like the United States, playing world policemen and thwarting their efforts at expansion. An interesting aspect of Japan's displeasure with US intervention was founded on racism. After emerging from centuries of exclusion, Japan was forced to accept unequal treaties and extraterritoriality, among other things. The Japanese were an extremely proud people and resented racial slurs that were heaped upon them in some Western nations, including the United States. In many ways Japan saw itself as a champion of Asia and sought to correct Western misperceptions about Asians in general. But make no mistake: Japan was primarily concerned with its own well-being. At the conclusion of WWI, Japan proposed adding a statement of racial equality in the Covenant of the League of Nations. The United States and Great Britain effectively thwarted Japan's proposal by declaring that a unanimous vote was required, although previously only a majority was required on all other proposals. Britain stood firm with Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes, who declared that "ninety-five out of one hundred Australians rejected the very idea of equality." US President Woodrow Wilson was hesitant because he thought Southern Democrats would not support the League of Nations if it included such a clause. Thus, although the proposal received a clear majority, it was tabled for further (meaning never) discussion. Japan resented this slight and never forgot how the US and Great Britain treated it. So in the stroke of a pen, the Japanese had gone from rock star to rock (well maybe not that drastically, but it sounds good). In the end, Japan may have indeed needed valuable raw materials, but we cannot discount the value of Japanese pride in this equation. So in trying to incorporate this episode into my US History lesson plan, I focused on the theme of revenge. I asked my students which motivation would make them most likely to strike back at someone who bullied them: economics or racism (and thus revenge). Most students concluded that they would be more motivated by racism because they are economically deprived anyway, but would never let anyone take their pride and dignity away.