Japan Between the Wars

Political Taisho democracy - ruled by old oligarchy (the genro) - tension between individual parties Changes: - independent press and bill of rights - reduced military budget - male japanese voting - individual pressure groups rose

Social - With the current economic system the poor became poorer and the rich became richer - Tensions between the two sides - Left Side = Generally Poor - Right Side = Generally Rich - Left side Marxist, made up of the work force - Right side ultranationalist

Cultural - Tension between old and new - some only wanted west, some only wanted traditional - Eventually they blended traditional and western styles Geishas were influenced by the west Writing Styles: I novel - western influenced writing style, the author confessed inner thoughts and showed self exposure. vs. Proletarian literature - inspired by soviet literature and served socialist goals. Proletarian writing was working class propaganda in 1930s → censored

Major Zaibatsu Companies Large companies created by Samurai and Daimyos made up of different industries controlled 35 % of shipbuilding, 21 % of the banking industry, 26% of mining, 38% of commercial shipping, more than 60% of paper manufacturing and insurance four major companies: Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Yasuda

What is the zaibatsu economy? Had a lot of control over certain manufacturing processes such as boats exporting goods other countries complaining about the increasing competition from Japan How did it work? invested their money into raw materials met high domestic demand

Zaibatsu economy effects Very high concentration of wealth → economic inequality Government split in half dual economy: modern industry with up-to-date methods vs. a traditional manufacturing sector Increase in labor force Increasing price of rice led to food riots Poor became poorer → fled to cities to escape rural poverty Rich became richer Production of raw materials tripled Industrial production increased 12x Food shortages due to increase in population

Question 3 - Andrea, Tathy, Maya and Crista 1. How did Japan deal with a lack of raw materials AND foreign markets for their manufactured goods? 2. What were the international effects of how the Japanese dealt with the lack of raw material and foreign markets?

Lack of Raw Materials and Foreign Markets Colonizing in different countries Gain raw materials Sell products Seized territories Taiwan, Korea and Southern Manchuria

International Effects The West began to feel concerned of them as an aggressive empire Paris Peace Conference 1919 Japanese demand for Shandong province (owned by Germany) Aroused massive protests in major Chinese cities

What was the 1922 Washington Conference and what did they try and address? How? Warren G. Harding Conference of nations to discuss problems with: Security in the pacific ocean Armament limitations Regional security President of the US. 1865-1923

Was it successful? Why or why not? China: Successful for China Initiated a nine power treaty Recognized the territorial integrity of China and the Open Door Policy Spheres of influence was over and China no longer were influenced by the west Japan: Didn‘t affect Japan as much as China Interest in other Nations for their resources Under pressure to find new sources Zaibatsu influenced the government Known as the Shidehara diplomacy

What is militant nationalism? When countries have a strong feeling of nationalism and they become aggressive in order to prove their superiority.

Why Japan turned to Militant Nationalism Radical nationalists dominated the Japanese government. Most of the government were military officers and ultranationalist politicians.

Continued: The ultranationalists thought that the diplomacy of the 1920s failed. Wanted more aggressive approach to protect the national interests in a brutal and competitive way.