Imperial Japan Rise of a world power, from the 19 th century to the 1930s

Background The Meiji Restoration ended the Tokugawa shogunate (last feudal military government) in 1868, allowing for political reforms, including: – A European-style constitution and parliament Democratic in form, but upper classes held control Emperor had less power than Prime Minister and his cabinet – Land reform Split up the Daimyo’s (landlords) lands to peasants, then taxed them – Industrialization Government supported industries through science education, transportation and communication, and funding – Public education – Modernization of the military, with technology and required service

Background The Meiji reforms helped Japan become an imperialist power – Defeated China in First Sino-Japanese War ( ) Seized Taiwan, gained sphere of influence in Korea – Defeated Russia in Russo-Japanese War ( ) – Annexed Korea (1910)

The 1920s Parliamentary democracy – Universal male suffrage – League of Nations member – Rights of free speech and press restricted – Schools and the press emphasized devotion to emperor Zaibatsu economy – Zaibatsus were large financial and industrial corporations that dominated the economy – Prosperity grew in the 1920s, but so did inequality

Hirohito (Emperor Showa) reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989.

Home ministry poster celebrating universal male suffrage in 1928: “Vote and the future will be bright. Abstain, and darkness will fall.”

1930s The Great Depression hit Japan hard – Fall in exports, incomes, employment – Rice crop failure in 1931 People begging, eating bark and roots, girls turning to prostitution – For many Japanese people, the Depression was proof that Western capitalism and democracy had failed Rise of Ultra-Nationalism – Glorified the Emperor and war – Believed that Japan should dominate Asia and push Western powers out

New military expansion Ultra-nationalist army officers seized Manchuria (northeast China) in 1931 The Japanese government was opposed, but could not stop them Most Japanese people supported the invasion This led to the domination of the government by the military The West protested  Japan withdrew from the League of Nations

Poster from the puppet state of Manchukuo: “With the help of Japan, China, and Manchukuo, the world can be in peace.”

New military expansion Why Manchuria? – Needed raw materials to run industrial economy – Like other imperial powers, Japan also sought: Markets for goods Land for colonization by Japanese people – (Ultra) nationalism Invaded central China in 1937 – This was the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War ( )

The ultra-nationalists in power Military influence in politics – Assassinated political and business leaders Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi (May 15 Incident), 1932 – Used Kenpeitai, secret police – Political parties were combined into the Imperial Rule Assistance Association (1940)

The ultra-nationalists in power Military influence in the economy – Increased military spending – Labor unions outlawed Promoting nationalism – Leaders tried to purge education and culture of Western ideas – Leaders emphasized traditional values and demanded extreme nationalism and devotion to the Emperor

Analyzing Japan in the 1930s Which analytical terms would be appropriate to describe Japan in the 1930s? Japanese fascism? – Lots of similarities, but note: No dictator – elections continued, and the Emperor did not have absolute power Stopped short of creating a totalitarian state