American Government: Perspective

What date did the Potsdam Declaration call for Japan's unconditional surrender?

26 July 1945

What did the Potsdam Declaration threaten if Japan refused to surrender?

"Complete and utter destruction"

How many American men had been lost in the Pacific War by August 1945?

More than 100,000

How many further American casualties did the United States estimate a land invasion of Japan would cause?

Over 132,000

Is "Saving American Lives" a value belief, motivation or experience?

Motivation

Why did President Truman want to end the war as soon as possible?

He believed it was his duty to stop the war and save American lives

What were Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" introduced in 1941?

Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear

What did "freedom from want" mean?

Economic conditions that would ensure a healthy and peaceful life for all nations

What did "freedom from fear" mean?

A worldwide reduction of armaments to prevent physical aggression

Why did the American government believe Japan threatened the Four Freedoms?

Japan's behaviour and military aggression before and during WWII threatened these freedoms

Are the Four Freedoms an experience, value, belief or motivation?

Belief/Value

What international conflict was beginning in 1945 and influenced American thinking about Japan?

The Cold War

Which territories had the Soviet Union expanded into during WWII?

China, Korea and Manchuria

Is America's experience of the beginning of the Cold War an experience

value, belief or motivation?, Experience

Why did America want Japan as an ally during the early Cold War?

To help prevent the spread of communism in Asia

Is preventing the spread of communism in Asia a value belief, motivation or experience?

Motivation

What did America hope Japan's surrender would allow it to do internationally?

Increase its global political power

What did the American government want Japan to become after the war?

A peaceful and responsible government that respected the rights of other states

Is wanting Japan to become a peaceful and responsible government a value belief, motivation or experience?

Motivation

What two main concerns shaped America's reasons for wanting Japan to surrender?

Saving American lives and increasing American influence against the Soviet Union

Is WWII a value, belief, motivation or experience?

Experience