JAPANESE EXPANSION IN CHINA 1931 - 37

3 Reasons Social Reasons Economic Reasons Political Reasons

Social Reasons Rapid growth of Japan’s population 1900 : 45 million 1930 : 64 million Intense pressure on agricultural sector which could not supply Japan’s needs Food had to be imported Pressure on Japan’s limited land Much of Japan is mountainous and unsuitable for settlement New territories overseas would solve this problem by providing homes and jobs

Economic Reasons Internal economic problems of 1920s The Great Depression in the early 1930s NB : All other explanations for economic reasons derive from these two main factors

Economic Reasons Internal economic problems of 1920s Japan experienced trade boom because of WWI But by 1921, Europe began to recover its lost markets Signalled the start of Japan’s economic problems Unemployment and industrial unrest increased Farmers badly affected by falling price of rice Then came the Great Depression (GD)

Economic Reasons The GD – severe impact on the economy Japan’s exports shrank disastrously Exports of manufactured goods dropped by 2/3 Japan’s two main exports : raw silk and cotton goods Most of the silk went to USA GD – reduced demand pushed prices down By 1932 – price of raw silk had fallen to less than 20% of the 1923 price

Economic Reasons About ½ of Jap farmers relied on production of raw silk and rice for their livelihood Situation created widespread poverty Drop in world trade in 1930s  Countries had less $ to buy imported goods Japan  earn less  unable to buy the imported food needed to feed its growing population

Economic Reasons Japan’s industries badly affected Japan had few natural resources and raw materials Thus its industries depended heavily on imported materials such as iron, tin, cotton, rubber and oil With declining income from exports, Jap industries could not afford to buy these materials One possible solution  With its own overseas empire, easier and cheaper to supply Jap industries with raw materials

Economic Reasons More difficult to export its products in the GD USA and other countries solve their own economic problems by imposing tariffs or taxes on foreign imports  protect their own industries Worsened Japan’s economic problems Forced Japan to look for markets elsewhere The 2 main factors had an important political impact People unhappy with democratic government Looked to the military for possible solutions to Japan’s economic problems

MANCHURIA

Economic Reasons MANCHURIA  had many valuable resources which Japan needed Forestry & minerals (oil, iron, coal and aluminium) It also had space 3 times the size of Japan 28 million people Lots of land for new settlers

Economic Reasons Alternative market for Japanese exports Japan already had substantial economic interests there Controlled the most important mines, ports, factories and railways Jap interests protected by a large army, the Kwantung army, stationed in southern Manchuria Acquisition of Manchuria would solve Japan’s severe economic and social problems!!

Economic Reasons The attractiveness of the land does not arise from the scarcity of the population alone; its wealth of forestry, minerals and agricultural products is also unrivalled elsewhere in the world. An extract from a letter written by PM Tanaka to Emperor Hirohito in 1927

EMPEROR HIROHITO

Political Reasons 1920’s – Japan isolated itself from WWI allies Many Japs believed it to be in Japan’s best interests to build an empire in East Asia than to stay on good terms with the rest of the world

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons The Peace Settlement after WWI The Washington Naval Conference, 1921-22 The USA’s Immigration Policies The USA’s Economic Policies Growing Dissatisfaction with the Japanese Government

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons 1. THE PEACE SETTLEMENT AFTER WWI Japan disappointed with some aspects of the peace settlements despite getting the Liaotong Peninsula Asked that the Covenant (Agreement) of the new League of Nations include a statement to declare all races in the world equal Eventually not included because of Europeans’ superiority complex

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons 2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE 1921-22 Called by US to reduce naval arms and ease tension in the Far East Felt threatened by Japan’s growing power and influence in China Main agreement limited the size of the navies in the Pacific (no of ships) US : Britain : Japan  5 : 5 : 3 The powers also agreed not to build any more ships for 10 years

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons 2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE 1921-22 Conference meant to improve relations between Japan and US Instead, it made things worse Japan felt it was treated as a second-rate power Nationalists, especially military felt that Japan’s honour had been betrayed by the agreement Govt signed agreement very reluctantly – however, it was still blamed for this disgrace

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons Many Japs migrated to US 3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES Many Japs migrated to US Shortage of land Rising population At first, US accepted them freely Early 20th C  US Govt concerned at the level of immigration Started to put some restrictions

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons 3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES 1922  Supreme Court ruled that only Japanese born in the US could become citizens 1924  USA immigration policy changed to exclude all Orientals, including japanese Japs felt insulted by this discrimination Meant that those with relatives who migrated earlier to the US could no longer join them there

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons 4. THE USA’s ECONOMIC POLICIES USA and other countries imposed tariffs on imports in 1920s and 1930s Result  Japan did less and less trade with US More isolated from the US as it was less necessary to maintain good relations with the US Govt Japan also began to look for other markets for its goods

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons 5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT 1920’s  Democratic government not seen to be successful for a few reasons It did not solve Japan’s economic and social problems Farmers and workers tried to organize a political party  ruthlessly put down by police GD  caused farmers and workers to resent the govt even more Blamed for wide-spread poverty and other economic problems

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons 5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT 2. Democracy was not popular with the army Govt seen as weak and ineffective Evidence : Baron Shidehara, Foreign Minister from 1924 to 27 Advocated peaceful economic expansion policy in China Tried to gain more trading privileges through a policy of friendship with China Army’s view  policy too soft on the Chinese Not the right way to strengthen Japan’s economic hold over China Saw such policies as weakening Japan’s position

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons Democracy was not popular with the army 5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT Democracy was not popular with the army Army’s solution to solve Japan’s problem  An aggressive foreign policy using the armed forces to build up an overseas empire and make Japan strong and powerful Another aspect of militarism Army felt that govt had betrayed Japan in its dealings with foreign powers Evidence : The Washington Naval Conference humiliating and showed disregard for Japan’s national security

Political Reasons FIVE Reasons Democracy was not popular with the army 5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT Democracy was not popular with the army Most army recruits were peasants who suffered in the 1920s Rank-and-file as well as officers disgusted with the weak democratic government Army’s discontent with the govt was a direct cause of the Mukden Incident Led to Japan seizing control of Manchuria in 1931-32

From the histerical notes of the Ancient Library of Copyright reserved 2001