Militarism in Japan

Objectives Explain the background that led to the rise of militarism in Japan.

Was the rise of Fascism in Japan inevitable? What led to the failure of the democratic government in Japan? What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan? Factors that contributed to the failure of democracy in Japan Factors that assisted the rise of Fascist factions to gain control of Japan

In a Nutshell The 1920s saw the spread of Fascist ideas around the world. Fascism grew to be a popular alternative to democracy. People began to lose confidence in democratic leaders when they were not able to handle the 1930 Great Depression. In Japan, Fascist ideas were strongly influenced by its powerful military. Another idea advocated by the Japanese Army officers was Japanese superiority over other Asians.*

The beginnings of Fascism The term Fascism, was first used by Mussolini in Italy, 1919. Fascists believed that the needs of the nation first. Power and violence were advocated by the Fascists. Fascists also believed that a nation’s goal was to grow strong and expand. People began to feel that Fascism gave them a sense of belonging to a great nation.*

What led to the failure of the democratic government in Japan? The Diet’s limited power Democratic leaders failed to solve economic problems Corruption damaged democracy’s reputation

The Diet’s Limited power The Diet/Parliament was set up in late 19th century. Real power however remained in the hands of the Emperor. The Diet did not have the power to make decisions or policies. Limited power of the Diet made it possible for the military faction to grow unchecked.*

Corruption Damaged Democracy’s Reputation Corruption among the politicians was common during the 1920s. In order to fund election campaigns, many leaders turned to wealthy companies for sponsorship. These were able to influence the policies of the government. Such close ties led to many rumours of corruption within the government.*

Democratic Leaders Failed to Solve Economic Problems The workers’ difficult working conditions The farmers’ difficult living conditions Democratic leaders failed to solve economic problems Trade imbalance Great Depression

Great Depression 1929 The Wall Street Crash in the USA triggered a world wide economic depression. It also led to a fall in Japan’s exports due to protectionism (especially in the USA). Due to protectionism, countries such as the USA imposed high taxes on Japanese goods like silk. This led to a fall in demand for silk. Silk farmers in Japan suffered the most. As economic problems mounted, many farmers joined the Army or patriotic societies.*

Great Depression 1929 Crash Loss of paper profits Less demand Lower prices Less bank credit Less money in circulation Less employment Less production Depression Less building of factories and homes Less employment

What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan? External reasons Internal reasons

American expansion in Asia-Pacific region threatened Japanese plans to control the region Since 1853, American businessmen had taken interest in doing business in the Asia-Pacific region. The USA took control of many tiny islands and used them as bases for American trading ships. By 1930s, American control spread to the Philippines. Japanese militarists believed that the economic and military interests of Japan and the USA would run into conflict over who would control this region.*

Paris Peace Conference, 1919 Japan had fought alongside the Allies during World War I. During the Paris Peace Conference, Japanese representatives made a request that the League of Nations formally recognise that all races were equal. This was however rejected making Japan feel discriminated.*

Washington Naval Conference, 1921-1922 This was held between 1921 and 1922 and aimed to reduce naval forces of major naval powers. The ratio of warships that were allowed for Japan was lower than that of the USA and Britain. Many Japanese felt that this was an unfair treaty aiming at restricting Japanese power.*

London Disarmament Conference, 1930 This was held in 1930. Many Japanese were unhappy that PM Osachi agreed to further limit the number of Japan’s battleships as he wanted to improve ties with China. In addition to that, he tried to solve the problems of the Great Depression by reducing spending on the Army. He was accused of being too soft and trying to betray Japan.*

Immigration laws in the USA in the mid-1920s In 1924, the USA tried to prevent Asian immigration as part of its isolationist policy. In California, the California Alien Law ordered that all Asian children attend schools separate from the Americans. Such laws angered the Japanese who formed the main bulk of the immigrants. They saw such laws as regarding them as being inferior. This combined with other factors such as the Great Depression, made many Japanese turn away from democracy.*

Resurgence of Chinese nationalism Since 1894, China had been weakened by many internal struggles. This however changed in 1927 when the KMT and CCP formed an alliance to eliminate all internal enemies. General Chiang gained control of China and demanded an end to all concessions that foreign powers had enjoyed in China. Frequent strikes and boycotts of Japanese goods hurt Japan’s economy. The Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria proposed that Japan occupy Manchuria and North China, and this was supported by many Japanese.*

The Showa Restoration From the 1930s, the education system of Japan emphasised nationalism, loyalty to the Emperor, self-sacrifice and obedience. Japan’s response to the Great Depression and foreign opposition to Japan’s growing empire was the inauguration of the Showa Restoration. This movement characterised all things Western in a negative light and stressed the glorification of the Emperor. This movement produced youths who were blindly loyal to the nation. This further developed Japan’s militarism.*

Patriotic societies Patriotic societies had been growing since the 1920s in Japan. Many of them had close connections with the Army. They were extremely nationalistic and wanted Japan to adopt an aggressive foreign policy. Some societies such as the Black Dragon Society wanted to eliminate democratic leaders so that Japan would adopt a more aggressive foreign policy.*

Army’s and Navy’s great Influence over the Government The Army and Navy had great influence over the government. Since the late 19th century, they had been pressing the government to acquire more colonies like what the Western nations were doing. Military successes in Manchuria and parts of China made them even more ambitious to pursue an expansionist policy. Leaders who did not support the military ambitions were often the subjects of assassination attempts.*

Army’s and Navy’s great influence over the government 1894–1895 : Sino-Japanese War. Japan gained Taiwan and parts of the Liaodung Peninsula. 1904–1905 : Russo-Japanese War. Japan was the first Asian power to defeat an European power. 1905 : Japan gain rights to build a railway in Manchuria. It also gained the southern Sakhalin Island. 1910 : Japan gained full control of Korea. 1914 : Japan joined the Allies in World War I and occupied German territories in Shantung and parts of the Pacific Islands. 1915 : Japan issued 21 Demands on China.*

Military takeover of Japan In 1930, the Army brought down Hamaguchi’s government. He was shot and wounded. He died a year later of the wounds. Hamaguchi’s assassins were left off with a light jail sentence. In May 1932, the Army assassinated PM Inukai for criticising the Kwantung Army’s actions in Manchuria. Succeeding PMs either felt pressured to support the Kwantung Army or were already strong supporters themselves especially after the Mukden Incident in 1932.*

Impact of growth of Fascism in Japan on the World For Japan For the next 13 years, Japan became more aggressive in its foreign policy. It disregarded the Washington Naval Conference and expanded its Navy. For Germany and Italy Japan started to forge closer ties with these Fascist States. For the USA, Britain and France These countries were too preoccupied with the Great Depression. Furthermore they had a common enemy in the Communists. They were hence generally more cordial. For China Japan became bolder towards China and took steps to expand Further into China. Most importantly, it was the growth of Fascism in Japan that led Japan into World War II.

Summary What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan? Failure of democratic government Weakness of the Japanese parliament Corrupt politicians Lacked support of workers and farmers Impact of economic problems Problems at the end of World War I 1929 Great Depression What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan? Fear of Chinese Nationalism Anti-Japanese protests Unhappiness with former Allied Powers 1919 Versailles Treaty 1921–1922 Washington Naval Conference Mid-1920s immigration issues Unhappiness with Japanese leaders who wanted friendly ties with former Allied Powers