| Date | September 20, 1924-August, 1929 | ||||||||||
| Location | Pacific Rim and Indian Ocean | ||||||||||
| Result | Ceasefire and Treaty Agreed Upon, Finalized with Hilo Accords | ||||||||||
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The Pacific War was an enormously destructive conflict waged between the American-led Allied Powers and the Japanese-led Asian Powers between 1924 and 1929. The war resulted in the deaths of an estimated 35 million people and left nearly 110 million wounded or destitute, and required significant rebuilding for all the parties involved. The war was also significant for its new use of vicious and deadly technology, including poison gas, targeting of civilians and aerial warfare. The Pacific War was largely contained to the South Pacific, but battles and skirmishes erupted in the North Pacific.
Background and causes[]
USS Rockefeller
The cause of the Pacific War started when an Japanese submarine torpedoed the USS Rockefeller off the coast of the Fiji Islands after a tense two-hour stand off. The news of the attack reached Washington and due to the rising tensions over the past four years, President Charles E. Hughes asked Congress to declare war on Japan. Another incident involving the Japanese was when Japanese cruisers took out Oceanic and American gunboats in the Malayan Archipelgo. Hughes issued a full mobilization of the Pacific Fleet shortly thereafter.
Factions[]
Allied Powers[]
The Allied Powers, led by the United States, unified a diverse group of nations situated around the Pacific Rim and in India. Aside from the USA, members included Russia, Alaska, Oceania, Colombia, and various other powers including the Duchy of Holland
Asian Powers[]
American anti-Japanese propaganda
Anti-Japanese propaganda from the United States during the war
The Asian Powers, led by Japan, consisted of various nearby nations, many of which had historically been bitter rivals. As well as China and Korea; Japan was quick to secure alliances with the Indian states which had not aligned themselves with the USA.
Fronts[]
Northern Front[]
See also: Northern Front
The Northern Front of the War covers all actions in the Allied nations of Russia and Alaska.
American[]
See also: American Front
The American front covers all actions in South America, and most actions in North America (excluding Alaska). Early in the war, many of the Allied Powers in the Americas were attacked by the Japanese Navy as they scrambled to respond to Japan's efforts to rapidly bring an end to the war.
Asian[]
See also: Asian Front
While Russia was fighting in Asia throughout the war, Allied powers did not intervene in bloody fighting in Indochina and the Indian Subcontinent until fairly late in the war.
Southern[]
See also: Southern Front
This front began when the nation of Oceania (covering Australia, New Zealand and several Malay islands) was invaded by Japan, as one of the first actions of the war.
Oceanic[]
See also: Oceanic Front
The Oceanic Fronts covers all actions in the Pacific Ocean itself, as well as the Micronesian, Melanesian and Polynesian islands scattered across the Ocean. Probably the most notable battle in this Front was the Battle for Hawaii, which was later adapted into the legendary 1962 film Oahu.
Aftermath[]
The Pacific War left 200 million dead and wounded; many people were left homeless by the air attacks from both the Allies and Asian Powers. The Hilo Accords established peace between the United States and Japan, nations that exited the war with several of their goals intact. Other countries did not enjoy the same results and it rapidly destabilized their politics into the 1930s.