1. Japanese Expansion
1920s and 1930s

2. Growth and Expansion after WW I
Less Imperialism
Increased industry
Increased trade with Allied nations
Japan becomes an industrial power

3. Expanded Influence in East Asia
Annexed Korea 1910
Expanded rights with China - 21 Demands
Occured during WW I
Plans to extend Japan’s power in China
Control of Manchuria and Chinese economy

4. Japan’s Expanding Empire

5. Liberal Changes in the 1920s
Democracy flourished
Japanese parliament - Diet - voted
All adult men could vote in 1925
Zaibatsu- businessmen who influenced political parties
Foreign expansion slowed, military spending reduced
Japan agrees to leave Shandong, China

6. Problems Poverty: Poor vs Rich Traditional values vs Western ideas
Government vs military - corruption
Earthquake in 1923 ruins economy

7. Great Depression Causes Suffering
Japanese exports suffer
Ultranationalists - extreme nationalists
Condemn politicians for halting overseas expansion
Disagree with Western powers’ mistreatment of Japanese immigrants
Want renewed expansion
Wants to take control of Manchuria, China

8. Manchurian Incident -1931
Japanese military provokes excuse to seize Manchuria
Blows up railroad tracks on Japanese-owned line
Blame Chinese and attacks them
Conquers all of Manchuria without govt. approval
Set-up puppet government
Actions condemned by League of Nations
Japan withdraws from League of Nations
Nullifies agreement to limit naval armament

9. Japanese Militarists in Power
Hirohito becomes Emperor
Ultranationalists gain support and power
Overthrow government
Traditional Values Revived
Suppress democratic freedoms
Expansion in China
Allies with Germany and Italy
Signs Tripartite Act in September 1940