Japan in the 1920’s and 1930’s

Empire of the Rising Sun 5 Empire of the Rising Sun How did liberal changes affect Japan during the 1920’s? How did nationalists react to Japan’s problems during the Great Depression? How did the militarists use their power? How did Japan emerge from the Great Depression? How did the League of Nations respond to Japan’s expansionism and what consequences did this reaction have?

Tradition of feudal lords and samurai class Background: Tradition of feudal lords and samurai class Massive modernization during the mid-1860’s (film, “The Last Samurai” reflects this period) Emperor restored as head of gov’t Period of "Westernization“ Japan had won wars against both China and Russia prior to 1914 Gained "mandates" in the Pacific after World War One

Liberal Changes of the 1920’s 5 During the 1920’s, Japan moved toward greater democracy: Political parties grew stronger. All adult men won the right to vote; parliament Japan signed agreement with western powers to limit the size of its navy. The government reduced military spending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D9VZH5Fi_4

Serious Problems 5 Behind the seeming well-being, Japan faced some grave problems. The economy grew more slowly in the 1920’s than at any time since Japan modernized. Rural peasants enjoyed none of the prosperity of city dwellers. Factory workers earning low wages were attracted to the socialist ideas of Marx and Lenin. Members of the younger generation were in revolt against tradition.

Serious Problems cont. Political party gov’t marred by corruption Tension between the government and the military simmered below the surface. Increasing control of industrial sector by a few giant businesses (the Zaibatsu)

In 1929, the Great Depression rippled across the Pacific, striking Japan with devastating force. The tensions of the 1920’s, coupled with the devastation of the Great Depression led to…

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Japan’s Expanding Empire to 1934 5 Japan’s Expanding Empire to 1934 What territories did Japan add by 1918? What territories did Japan add by 1934? Why was Japan interested in expanding its empire?

Great Depression Hits: 2 Ways Out of the Depression 1). War against a foreign power 2). Gov't spending

1. War - Invasion of Manchuria (make notes on handout) 2. Gov't Spending: - Minister of Finance Korekiyo Takahashi (a kind of Asian Keynes) > increased gov't spending > providing workers with jobs & wages which in turn created new demands for manufactured goods and food > spending on armaments to satisfy army demands   * In 1936, economy booming, Takahashi prepared to restrict gov't spending -> Result: Army officers murdered him b/c of threat to limits on military spending

The Nationalist Reaction 5 In 1929, the Great Depression rippled across the Pacific, striking Japan with devastating force. Economic disaster fed the discontent of the leading military officials and ultranationalists, or extreme nationalists. They condemned politicians for agreeing to western demands to stop overseas expansion. Japanese nationalists were further outraged by racial policies in the United States, Canada, and Australia that shut out Japanese immigrants. As the economic crisis worsened, nationalists and militarists demanded renewed expansion. In 1931, a group of Japanese army officers provoked an incident that would provide an excuse to seize Manchuria from China. (start at 1:26) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D9VZH5Fi_4 Japanese army officers set explosives and blew up tracks on a Japanese owned RR line in Manchuria. Then, they blamed the Chinese and attacked Chinese forces. WITHOUT consulting their own government, the Japanese military forces conquered all of Manchuria and set up a puppet state. When the League of Nations condemned the Japanese aggression against China, the Japanese simply withdrew from the League. Public opinion sided with the military.

How Did Militarists Use Their Power? 5 By the early 1930s, ultra-nationalists were winning popular support for foreign conquests and a tough stand against western powers. Civilian government survived, but by 1937 it had been forced to accept military domination. To please the ultra-nationalists, it: cracked down on socialists ended most democratic freedoms revived ancient warrior values built a cult around the emperor focused on spreading the nationalist message in schools renewed efforts at expansion Cult: an extreme or excessive admiration for a person

Japanese Invasion 4 In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, adding it to the growing Japanese empire. In 1937, Japanese troops attacked again, overrunning eastern China, including Beijing and Guangzhou. Japanese troops marched into Nanjing. After the city’s surrender, the Japanese killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in what came to be known as the “Rape of Nanjing.”

Rape of Nanjing 4 Referring to dictators, Mr. Churchill said : “You see these Dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police on all sides. They are guarded by masses of armed men, cannons, airplanes and fortifications- they boast and vaunt themselves before the world. Yet in their hearts there is an unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts-the words spoken abroad and the thoughts stirring at home.” The Dictator, in Churchill’s opinion, was all strong without and all weak within. Dictatorship, he concluded, was a passing phase that could not long endure if it was brought into contact with the healthy world outside. “The China Weekly Review” Life’s End for Japanese and Chinese Alike October 22, 1938