2. The Road to War: Japan
• During WWI, the Pacific theatre saw the largely
bloodless conquest of German colonial possessions
in the Pacific Ocean and China
• The Empire of Japan entered the war on the side of
the Allies
• Victory gave Japan an opportunity to expand its
influence and territorial holdings in Asia
3. The Road to War: Japan
• Japan was recognized as
one of the “Big Five” at the
Paris Peace Conference
• After joining the League of
Nations, Japan received a
mandate over the Pacific
islands formerly held by
Germany
• In 1931, Japan invades
Manchuria
