1. 15.4- Imperial Japan

2. Japan & WWI Japan helped Allies with exports
Makes Japan world industrial power
Received German spheres of influence in China from the Treaty of Versailles

3. Japan’s Economics Emperor Hirohito will rule Japan from 1926-1989
1920s: Parliament members influenced by powerful business leaders that pushed for international trade
BUT
Aggressive expansion affected economic relations with the West SO
Japan cut military spending & reduced the size of its’ navy

4. Peasants were suffering & followed beliefs of Russia’s Lenin
Some clung to Western ideas & rejected ancient beliefs of family authority
Issues rose between the military and government
Military was upset with control by business owners & Western influence undermining Japanese values

5. Ultranationalism Japan gets hit hard with world-wide Great Depression
Ultranationalism: extreme nationalism because Japan was not a major empire like the other industrial imperialists
Upset with USA for not permitting Japanese immigrants into country (Gentlemen’s Agreement)
Begin building major empire
Needed raw materials and places for their growing population

6. Action was condemned by League of Nations
Manchuria vs. China
Military expanded control in China without government consent, but were supported by Japanese people
Action was condemned by League of Nations
Japan withdrew
Began naval build up
League of Nations did nothing to stop Japan’s aggression

7. Military Japan
1937: Military took control of government, but Hirohito remained in power by getting rid of communist ideas, democratic freedoms, and increasing value of ancient warriors
Schools now taught absolute obedience to Emperor and Japan
Japan also allied with Germany and Italy