Militarism and Imperialism in Japan

Japan came out of WWI with a strong economy. They began making democratic reforms Hit hard by the Depression Military Dictatorship takes over

Japanese Goals of the 1930s Revive economy hit by the Depression Lead economic modernization in Asia- hoping to one day rival Europe and the United States. Free Asia from western colonial influences. Set up “East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” Dominate Asia economically and militarily.

What might limit Japan’s ability to dominate Asia?

Aggression in Manchuria September, needing resources, the Japanese invade Manchuria, northern China. China protests to the League of Nations

Aggression in Manchuria League and United States condemned Japanese action in China, but took no further action Japan withdrew from the League in 1933 Japanese minister says that the League is being mean and that’s why they left.

Tensions Rise in China By 1937, Japanese forces overran much of the northern part of China Manchuoko created Rape of Nanking– murdering over 300,000 civilians and soldiers in a few months

WWII in Asia Berlin, 1940– Japan joins alliance with Germany and Italy Looked to European colonies in Southeast Asia for resources FDR threatened to cut off supplies of scrap metal, rubber, and oil

Review: Events Leading to Pearl Harbor Japan foresaw the US cutting off supplies and also declaring war. To pre-empt that, the Japanese planned a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor to eliminate the American presence in the Pacific

Failure of the Co-Prosperity Sphere The original idea was a system that benefited both Japan and the occupied territories– “Asia for Asians” Instead, Japanese imperial troops replaced the European troops

Instead of sharing resources, the resources were diverted to the Japanese war effort. This caused food shortages and famine.

Failure of the Co-Prosperity Sphere Attempted to institute Japanese Customs – This insulted the native people Forced people to work in factories for little to no pay. Some groups cooperated with the Japanese and some helped the allies.