15.4- Imperial Japan

Japan & WWI Japan helped Allies with exports Makes Japan world industrial power Received German spheres of influence in China from the Treaty of Versailles

Japan’s Economics Emperor Hirohito will rule Japan from 1926-1989 1920s: Parliament members influenced by powerful business leaders that pushed for international trade BUT Aggressive expansion affected economic relations with the West SO Japan cut military spending & reduced the size of its’ navy

Peasants were suffering & followed beliefs of Russia’s Lenin Some clung to Western ideas & rejected ancient beliefs of family authority Issues rose between the military and government Military was upset with control by business owners & Western influence undermining Japanese values

Ultranationalism Japan gets hit hard with world-wide Great Depression Ultranationalism: extreme nationalism because Japan was not a major empire like the other industrial imperialists Upset with USA for not permitting Japanese immigrants into country (Gentlemen’s Agreement) Begin building major empire Needed raw materials and places for their growing population

Action was condemned by League of Nations Manchuria vs. China Military expanded control in China without government consent, but were supported by Japanese people Action was condemned by League of Nations Japan withdrew Began naval build up League of Nations did nothing to stop Japan’s aggression

Military Japan 1937: Military took control of government, but Hirohito remained in power by getting rid of communist ideas, democratic freedoms, and increasing value of ancient warriors Schools now taught absolute obedience to Emperor and Japan Japan also allied with Germany and Italy