On December 7th, 1941, Tojo led the Kwantung Army on an attack against America, targeting their Pearl Harbor naval base. In this attack over 2,000 American soldiers were killed and another 1,000 were wounded. This was celebrated in Japan, their country looked strong and America looked weak in comparison. While Roosevelt declared war against Japan, Hideki was gaining the support of his nation. However, Tojo's reign did not last for very long. It was soon discovered that Hideki had broken the Geneva Convention which was, "...a series of treaties on the treatment of civilians, prisoners of war (POWs) and soldiers who are otherwise rendered hors de combat, or incapable of fighting" (Geneva Connections). When the public heard this, Tojo lost many followers and the Japanese government begins to oppose his leadership. He then loses even more of his followers when Saipan falls and other battles are lost under his leadership. Hideki Tojo then resigns from his position as Prime Minister in 1944. In 1945 atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by America. These retaliation attacks are blamed on Tojo's rash and poor decision to attack Pearl Harbor. When Japan and their allies were defeated, Tojo is arrested as a war criminal. Before being taken into custody, Tojo attempted suicide unsuccessfully, shooting himself with four bullets and being nursed back to health. When he recovered, he was put on trial, found guilty and hanged on December 23, 1948.
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