When Did the Soviet Union Declare War on Japan?
The Soviet Union declared war on Japan on August 8, 1945, just three days after the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. This sudden declaration of war caught both Japan and the United States by surprise, and it played a significant role in the eventual surrender of Japan and the end of World War II.
Background
The Soviet Union and Japan had been at peace since the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. However, in the early 1940s, the Soviet Union began to take a more aggressive stance towards Japan, partly due to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and the subsequent occupation of China. The Soviet Union also saw Japan as a potential threat to its own territorial claims in the Far East.
The Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact
In April 1941, the Soviet Union and Japan signed the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, which effectively ended the state of war between the two countries. The pact was seen as a way for both countries to focus on their respective conflicts with Germany and the United States. However, the pact also allowed Japan to focus on its military expansion in Asia, including its invasion of Indochina and the Philippines.
The Soviet Union’s Decision to Declare War
In the summer of 1945, the Soviet Union began to reassess its relationship with Japan in light of the Allied victory in Europe and the increasing likelihood of an invasion of Japan by the United States. The Soviet Union saw an opportunity to gain territory and influence in the Far East, and it began to make preparations for a possible war with Japan.
The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, killing an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people immediately. The bombing was followed by a second atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, which killed an estimated 39,000 to 80,000 people.
The Soviet Union’s Declaration of War
In response to the atomic bombings, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on August 8, 1945, just hours after the bombings. The declaration of war was made public through a radio broadcast by Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, who announced that the Soviet Union was entering the war against Japan.
The Soviet Invasion of Manchuria
On August 9, 1945, the Soviet Union launched a massive invasion of Manchuria, a region in northeastern China that had been occupied by Japan since 1931. The invasion was carried out by the Soviet Far Eastern Front, which consisted of over 1.5 million soldiers.
The Japanese Surrender
The Soviet declaration of war and the invasion of Manchuria were significant factors in Japan’s decision to surrender. The Japanese government realized that it could not win a war against both the United States and the Soviet Union, and it began to negotiate a surrender.
The Potsdam Declaration
In July 1945, the United States, Great Britain, and China issued the Potsdam Declaration, which called on Japan to surrender unconditionally. The declaration threatened Japan with "prompt and utter destruction" if it did not surrender.
The Japanese Surrender
On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its surrender to the Allied Powers, effective on September 2, 1945. The surrender was accepted by General Douglas MacArthur, who was appointed as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in Japan.
Conclusion
The Soviet Union’s declaration of war on Japan on August 8, 1945, was a significant event in the final days of World War II. The declaration of war and the subsequent invasion of Manchuria were key factors in Japan’s decision to surrender, and they played a crucial role in bringing an end to the war.
Timeline
- April 1941: The Soviet Union and Japan sign the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact.
- August 6, 1945: The United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
- August 8, 1945: The Soviet Union declares war on Japan.
- August 9, 1945: The Soviet Union launches an invasion of Manchuria.
- August 15, 1945: Japan announces its surrender to the Allied Powers.
- September 2, 1945: The surrender of Japan is effective.
Key Players
- Joseph Stalin: Soviet Premier
- Hirohito: Emperor of Japan
- Douglas MacArthur: Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP)
- Harry S. Truman: President of the United States
References
- "The Soviet Union and Japan, 1941-1945" by Richard J. B. Bosworth
- "The Pacific War" by John W. Dower
- "The Soviet Union and the Far East" by George A. Lensen