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∙ 6y agofirst answer:
The Japanese surrendered in August 1945 because they simply didn't have the resources or weapons to push on. By the end of World War II, most of the warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy were sunk and the Japanese had no more resources to recover from their losses. One example that led to the surrender and downfall of Japan was that the Japanese realized they could never build warships as fast as the United States could. The solution was simple: Japan was to build bigger warships with bigger guns to compensate for their smaller numbers. The product of this plan was the construction of the Japanese Yamato-class battleships, the largest battleships ever built in the history of humanity. These behemoths could fire rounds that were 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter that weighed as much as a car, the largest naval guns ever. The purpose of the Yamato-class battleships was to be able to kill every single ship in existence. However, all Yamato-class ships were were sunk by American aircraft, since one of the flaws of the Yamato-class battleships was poor anti-aircraft armament. This battle had proven battleships obsolete (battleships are not built today), and the aircraft carrier to be the dominating force in future navies. The effectiveness of the US Navy had deprived Japan of their resources and American industry could simply be unmatched. By the end of the war, over 6,000 ships were commissioned in the US Navy. To put this into perspective, today, the US Navy has over 400 ships commissioned. The Yamato was very symbolic. Although she rarely got to use her guns against a worthy opponent (such as a duel with a US battleship), she went down like a true samurai. The Yamato still remains a symbol of Japanese naval power today. If you are interested in history, I would strongly recommend researching about the Yamato. Naval history is an amazing subject to learn about.
second much improved answer: The US with some help from its Allies had inflicted terrible defeats & significant setbacks on the Japanese by mid-1945. Despite these conditions, the Japanese Army leadership wanted to fight to the very bitter end and not surrender. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito took the unprecedented step of telling the government to seek peace, even if it required accepting the terms of "Unconditional Surrender". Below is an outline of the latest events leading to the surrender decision:
US Strategic Bombing of Japan
Ø B-29 bases were established in the Marianas Islands in the Central Pacific.
Ø 24 November 1944: High Level Daylight Bombing begins on the European model.
Ø Switch to Low-altitude Night Bombing.
Ø 25 February 1945: Fire Bombing Raids begin.
Ø US fighter escorts added after Iwo Jima seized.
US Submarine Warfare against Japanese Merchant Shipping
Ø 1941-1942: Poor torpedoes limited US success.
Ø 1943-1945: Improved torpedoes & more submarines.
Ø Submarines attacked with torpedoes & laid mines in Japanese coastal waters.
Ø Virtually destroys the Japanese merchant marine & sinks many warships.
US Mining Operations & Blockade against Japanese Sea Lanes & Ports
Ø Mines placed from US submarines.
Ø Mines placed by US B-29 bombers.
Germany Defeated: 8 May 1945
Ø Japan is now fighting alone against almost all nations in the world.
Ø A major exception, the Soviet Union is not yet at war with Japan.
Ø Previously, about 70% the American war effort had been aimed at defeating Hitler & Mussolini in Europe. Now Japan can expect to face the full weight of US military & economic power.
Ø The United States begins shifting combat-tested military units & resources from Europe to the Pacific. Veteran naval & air units begin arriving in the Pacific Theater starting in June 1945. Large numbers of ground units (combat & support) will begin to arrive in the Theater in September 1945.
Ø The British, Free French & Dutch are now sending sizeable reinforcements in ships, aircraft & troops to assist the US.
US Liberated the Philippines from Japanese Occupation
Ø Japanese had very heavy losses to all branches of the military in the failed attempt to stop the US invasion.
Ø US air & naval forces in its new bases in Philippines have effectively cutoff Japanese home islands from its supply of oil, rubber, tin & food from all occupied territories in the south (Malaya, Southeast Asia, French Indo-China, Dutch East Indies, Borneo, etc.).
Ø The Philippines will be the new staging area & jumping off point for the future invasion of Japan.
US seized Okinawa & Iwo Jima
Ø Japanese unable to stop the US invasions & seizure of valuable air bases near Japan.
Ø US air forces in these new bases are able to escort B-29 bombers all the way to Japan, attack the Japanese home islands & help support the future invasion of Japan.
Pending Invasion of the Japanese Home Islands in late 1945 & early 1946
Ø American efforts to keep Japanese troops from reinforcing the Home Islands from China & Manchuria.
Ø Would have been a massive undertaking (Operation Downfall), the largest invasion in world history.
Ø It would have been supported by the largest US Fleet in history, and massive air-support.
Ø Operation Olympic: Preliminary landings & seizure of Kyushu Island & diversion on Shikoku Island.
Ø Operation Coronet: Main Invasion & landings on Honshu Island w/ primary objective of Tokyo.
Ø Huge casualties expected for both the Japanese (military & civilian) & Americans.
Japan is Mortally Wounded, and Yet the Army remains Obsessed with China
Ø Japan's economy & industry is in shambles and its population is on the verge of starvation.
Ø The Japanese Navy has been swept aside & defeated.
Ø The Japanese merchant marine has been almost completely wiped-out by US submarines, mines, ships & aircraft.
Ø US daylight & night bombing of the Japanese Home Islands is inflicting massive destruction on Japanese cities, industries, transportation & utilities. US bombing efforts are increasing with each passing week. The Japanese air defenses are unable to prevent these attacks and the Japanese government is unable to replace or repair even a small percentage of what is lost.
Ø No fortified outlying Japanese island has yet withstood an American invasion.
Ø US, British & Dutch ships are now able to operate in very close proximity to Japanese Home Islands, even to the extent that they can bombard Japanese cities from the air or with surface gunfire.
Ø Japanese defensive measures are becoming more desperate, relying heavily on suicide tactics & equipment.
Ø It has become extremely clear that the United States is deadly determined to defeat Japan, even at the risk of inflicting huge casualties on the Japanese population and absorbing high losses itself.
Ø The full weight of American military power will make its presence felt by the end of 1945.
Ø The Japanese Army advances deeper into China despite obvious catastrophe at home.
The Japanese Emperor Intervenes for the first time in July 1945
Ø Emperor Hirohito was previously only a figurehead.
Ø Japanese population is mostly unaware that the Army controls their government & their Emperor.
Ø The Japanese Army is planning to "fight to the death" on the Home Islands of Japan.
Ø The Japanese population is on the verge of starvation and the Japanese economy & industry are almost completely destroyed or immobilized.
Ø Civilian leaders are concerned that the government will soon lose control.
Ø In an unprecedented manner, Emperor Hirohito announces to the cabinet that the government should make peace, and avoid invasion.
Ø Japanese diplomats will approach Switzerland & the Soviet Union to help in negotiations with the United States & Britain.
Ø Switzerland will assist some, and the Soviet Union will stall. Stalin does not want an early end to the war. The Japanese are misled into thinking that negotiations are possible with Soviet assistance.
Ø Supposedly, the Japanese diplomats want the surrender to include a 'condition' that keeps the Emperor in power (not in control). On its face, this violates the 'unconditional' demand by the Allies for Japan's surrender.
Ø Secretly, the Japanese Army leadership is opposed to making peace and will attempt to prevent it.
Use of the Atomic Bombs
Ø 6 August 1945: Hiroshima; "Little Boy" Uranium (U-235); by B-29 "Enola Gay" (Colonel Paul Tibbets); city was army depot & naval port; blast at 1,750 ft altitude; equivalent to 13 kilotons of TNT; 4.7 square miles of city destroyed; 70-80,000 killed & 70,000 injured.
Ø 9 August 1945: Nagasaki; "Fat Man" Plutonium (Pu-239); by B-29 "Bockscar" (Major Charles Sweeney); Kokura was primary target but it was obscured by cloud cover; went to secondary target; dropped over city's industrial valley between two Mitsubishi complexes; equivalent to 21 kilotons of TNT; blast mostly confined by hills to the Urakami Valley; 40% of city destroyed; 35,000 killed & 60,000 injured.
Ø The use of the bombs was sufficiently shocking to the Japanese, that they hurriedly discussed the terms of surrender, however it was the words of Emperor Hirohito that had the most impact in reaching a final decision.
The Soviet Union Declares War & Attacks Japanese Army in Manchuria
Ø Japanese diplomats had hoped that Stalin would act as 'Peace-Broker'.
Ø Stalin fooled the Japanese diplomats into thinking that he would consider this.
Ø Stalin planned to attack Japan at the last moment (as it collapsed) to grab as much territory as possible while avoiding most of the heaviest fighting.
Ø The US Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima spurs Stalin to act quickly before the Japanese can surrender.
Ø 8 August 1945: Japan shocked & surprised because a possible intermediary has become an enemy.
Ø Red Army quickly stream-rolls over the Japanese Army in Manchuria.
Ø The only example of a modern western-style ground 'blitzkrieg' in Asia.
Ø The unstoppable Soviet offensive would eventually completely isolate the large Japanese armies fighting in China and cutoff the flow of food & raw materials from the Asian mainland to the Japanese home islands.
Ø This offensive would also prevent the flow of Japanese Army reinforcements into the Japanese home islands from the Asian mainland.
The Japanese Emperor Hirohito Intervenes
Ø The Emperor is horrified at the loss of life & expected future casualties in Japan.
Ø Emperor Hirohito announces to cabinet that the government should accept unconditional surrender.
Ø The Soviet attack & Declaration of War means that expected negotiations will not succeed.
Ø Emperor Hirohito records a surrender broadcast to the nation. It will be the first time the Japanese public has heard his voice.
Ø Junior Japanese Army officers attempt, but fail, to prevent the Emperor's broadcast.
The Japanese Surrender
Ø "VJ Day" is 14 August in the US/Europe and 15 August 1945 in Japan, Australia, Philippines, China, etc.
Ø Tokyo Bay Surrender Ceremony on board the USS Missouri (battleship) is on 2 September 1945 (local-Tokyo time) and on 1 September in the US/Europe.
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∙ 14y agoRussia was ready to invade Japan at the time the two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. This motivated Emperor Hirohito to surrender.
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∙ 14y agoThe damage done to the cities of Hiroshima and nagasaki by the nuclear bombs dropped on August 6 and 9, 1945.
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∙ 13y agoThe atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
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∙ 12y agoThe U.S. dropped atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing massive ruin and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Japanese. This shocked Japan into a surrender thus ending the war.
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What did Japan's refusal to surrender after the Potsdam Conference in July 1945 cause?
Led the United States to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945
What is the sequence of events that led to the development of the atomic bomb?
The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were selected as targets after exhaustive study by military specialists. The bombs were droped on August 6 1945 in the city of Hishorima and Agust 9 1945 in the city of Nagasaki. The devastation was clear and inmediate surrender was given by the government of Japan.
What events marked the end of world war 2?
The U.S. nuked Hiroshima, then Nagasaki which led to the surrender of Japan by then Emperor Hirohito.
What campaign was the battle of hiroshima?
The battle of Hiroshima was not a campaign but rather a single event during World War II. It was part of the larger Pacific War between Japan and the United States. The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, was carried out by the US with the goal of forcing Japan's surrender. The devastating attack using an atomic bomb led to widespread destruction and loss of life.
Former dutch possession led to independence by Sukarno?
Indonesia in August 17th 1945.
What did Japan's refusal to surrender after the Potsdam Conference in July 1945 cause?
Led the United States to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945
What did the U.S government fear about Japan which led to the decision to use atomic bombs?
These very same questions were also contentious at the time, as American ... On what basis does Stimson justify the use of the atomic bombs on ... understanding of the events which led up to the attack on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, on. Nagasaki on August 9, and the Japanese decision to surrender, on August 10.===============================Another answerThe U.W. Government feared that Japan would not surrender, prolonging the war.
When was the World War II treaty signed?
In Japan, a surrender was signed by Japan on the USS Missouri. The date was September 2, 1945. The Germans surrendered on May 7, 1945 which led to V-E (Victory in Europe) Day on May 8, 1945.
What led to Japan's surrender?
Japan realized they had no chance of winning. The Soviet Union was ready to invade.The US was ready to invade even farther into Japan. What really made Japan surrender though was the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
What did the U.s government fear about japan which lead to the decision to use atomic bombs?
These very same questions were also contentious at the time, as American ... On what basis does Stimson justify the use of the atomic bombs on ... understanding of the events which led up to the attack on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, on. Nagasaki on August 9, and the Japanese decision to surrender, on August 10.===============================Another answerThe U.W. Government feared that Japan would not surrender, prolonging the war.
What is the sequence of events that led to the development of the atomic bomb?
The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were selected as targets after exhaustive study by military specialists. The bombs were droped on August 6 1945 in the city of Hishorima and Agust 9 1945 in the city of Nagasaki. The devastation was clear and inmediate surrender was given by the government of Japan.
What events marked the end of world war 2?
The U.S. nuked Hiroshima, then Nagasaki which led to the surrender of Japan by then Emperor Hirohito.
When During World War 2 General Douglas MacArthur led the U.S. forces in the Philippines and surrounding areas. MacArthur was also the military general who?
Accepted Japan's surrender in September 1945
During World War 2 General Douglas MacArthur led the U.S. forces in the Philippines and surrounding areas. MacArthur was also the military general who?
Accepted Japan's surrender in September 1945
What campaign was the battle of hiroshima?
The battle of Hiroshima was not a campaign but rather a single event during World War II. It was part of the larger Pacific War between Japan and the United States. The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, was carried out by the US with the goal of forcing Japan's surrender. The devastating attack using an atomic bomb led to widespread destruction and loss of life.
What did the us fear about Japan which led to the decision to use atomic bombs?
Japan would not surrender prolonging on the war
Japan was placed under his control after the war?
General Douglas McArthur led the Allied occupation of Japan from August 14, 1945, until the San Francisco peace treaty was signed on September 8, 1951.
