Chapter 5 Changes in Japan Topic 1: Factors for the Rise of Militarism Sub-Theme 3 Change and Development of Japan and Southeast Asia

Great Depression began1929 American Exclusion Act imposed1924 Washington Conference held Anglo-Japanese Alliance signed1902 Meiji Modernization started1889EventYear Time Track Factors for the Rise of Militarism

The significance of the Meiji Constitution According to the Meiji Constitution: The ministries of the army and navy were to directly report to the emperor The successors of the army and navy ministers should be selected from soldiers in active duty  The soldiers acquired an important position Throughout Meiji Modernization, Japan was modeled on Germany :  Emphasized the unification and supremacy of the country

Factors for the Rise of Militarism The weaknesses of party politics Parties continued to focus on self-interest The proletariat party could not grow Political struggles led to frequent changes of prime ministers The weaknesses of arty politics  Provided favourable conditions for the rise of militarism  The cry for anti-party politics was intense Colluded with the zaibatsu The government In favour of the interests of the rich and unwilling to improve the living condition of the Japanese The government failed to solve the key economic problems

Factors for the Rise of Militarism Economic crisis Concentration of capital in a few large banks - economic domination of the zaibatsu Foreign countries levied heavy custom duties on Japanese commodities The consequence of the economic depression  Zaibatsu colluded with warlords and support hard-line diplomacy Credit crisis and bankruptcies Decrease in wages, rapid increase in unemployment

Factors for the Rise of Militarism The rise of extreme nationalist ideology ﹕ Emphasized extreme nationalism and honoured the supremacy of national community Stressed the national duty to rescue other racial communities Expanding the armaments  Kita Ikki ﹕ An Outline Plan for the Reconstruction of Japan Proposed to overthrow party politics, return real power to the Emperor Adopting an expanding policy to regain Japan’s glory Demand the actualization of military dictatorship under imperial rule The rise of extreme nationalist ideology

Factors for the Rise of Militarism Japanese bear great risks Victory in wars between (defeating China and Russia) Loss of public confidence towards a peaceful foreign policy (e.g., the Washington, the Exclusion Act in the US) The search for glory and prestige Ù The Japanese thought that, the implementation of aggression policy could: ﹕ Bring about national glory and prestige to the country Become an outlet for overcoming political and economic difficulties

The End