UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE END OF WWII

On September 2, 1945, when Japanese officials signed the instruments of surrender on the American battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, none of those present could have known that this was the last time Americans would stand as the indisputable victors in war, imposing their will on a conquered foe that had surrendered unconditionally. They could not have known that the policy of unconditional surrender would become a flash point in America’s culture wars for decades to come.

MARC GALLICCHIO
An award-winning author and current professor and Chair of the History Department at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, Dr. Gallicchio’s knowledge of Japan, having twice taught there as a J. William Fulbright Lecturer, has given him invaluable firsthand insight into the once-mighty empire’s place in history -- past, present, and future. His knowledge of modern military history, with an emphasis on Japan’s role in World War II, as well as the post-World War II East Asian conflicts that continue to shape international relations to the present day are Gallicchio’s specialties.

This video is a recording from the Admiral Nimitz Foundation 2020 Annual Symposium.
This program was funded in-part by donations from Humanities Texas, Texas Pioneer Foundation, and Enterprise Holdings Foundation.