The Rise of Japanese Militarism The Interwar Years

Japan begins to industrialize after the Meiji Restoration Emperor elevated to new status Created a Constitutional Monarchy Supported by Shintoism Japan Develops Army based on Germany. Develops Navy based on England’s

Japan Imperialism 1894—Took Taiwan away from China In 1910, occupied Korea From 1894 on had resources from Manchuria

Japan Hit Hard by Great Depression In the 1930s Worker’s Real Income was down and unemployment was up Depression blamed on the weakness of the parliamentary government. When Germany became strong under Hitler, some Japanese started looking to Germany as their model Gradually began to demand an “Asia for the Asians”

Post-World War I Japan After World War I, Japan saw itself as the dominant power in the East It began to pursue policies that would increase their territory and their influence in Asia Ultimately, these policies would lead to the outbreak of war in the Pacific

Motives for Japanese Expansion Economics Japan was in desperate need of natural resources to fuel its industry and military Extreme Nationalism Many Japanese citizens believed that Japan was the most superior country in Asia and therefore had the right to rule everyone else Acts by Western Powers Several actions by Western powers were motivated by the belief that Japan was not equal; these insults fueled imperialistic desires in Japan

The Invasion of China Begins In 1931 Japan invaded the northern area of China, Manchuria, which had huge deposits of natural resources like coal The League of Nations did nothing

1937: The Invasion Spreads After a few years, Japanese forces moved south and invaded China During this invasion they took control of the Chinese capital, Nanking (also written as Nanjing—same place)

The Rape of Nanking, 1937 During the invasion, the people of Nanking were treated horribly by the Japanese soldiers

The Japanese Government Though Japan had an emperor, the military had taken control of the government by this time Emperor Hirohito could not stand up to the powerful generals, but he was worshipped by the people, who often fought in his name The military leader of Japan was General Hideki Tojo

The need for more resources Next, Japan began to look towards Southeast Asia for more resources Their quest for territory and resources in this part of Asia would lead the US to become involved with stopping their expansion But more on that later….

Imperial Japan in 1939

In 1939, Japan’s Problems in Asia, not European How to deal with China Very threatened by Soviet Union Didn’t want to antagonize the United States Coveted Vietnam, Dutch East Indies and other areas in Southeast Asia Believed that Southeast Asia should be ruled by Asians, mainly them They lose the Battle of Nomonhan to Soviet Union.

In 1940 Tripartite Pact Hitler starts thinking about invading Soviet Union

In 1941 April 13, 1941—Japan concludes treaty of neutrality with USSR. June 22, 1941—Hitler invades Soviet Union June 23, 1941—German controlled France agrees to let Japan take over Vietnam. US places total embargo after Vietnam and Dutch East Indies occupied by Japan.

Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941—Japan bombs Pearl Harbor Admiral Yamamoto terrified to learn that Air Craft Carriers not hurt Hitler declares war on US

Bataan Death March Japan attacked the Philippines in December 1941. The Philippines fell in May 1942. The Japanese troops forced the sick, malnourished American soldiers to march 55 miles. After a trip on a railway, they had to march another 8 miles. 7,000 American and Filipino troops died during the grueling journey.

Doolittle Raid America did a bombing raid in April of 1942 by launching bombers from aircraft carriers. Bombed Tokyo Japan was embarrassed, and resolved to destroy aircraft carriers, and began to plan to attack Midway