1. Japanese Expansionism

2. Rise of Militarism Japan was an aggressive nation
In 1930’s they began a policy of territorial expansion
Not enough land to support it’s growing population
Depended on U.S. and other countries for essential goods
Military leaders resented the dependence on foreign countries
Pushed into mainland Asia

3. Invasion
Manchuria – Japan needed space and raw materials – Manchuria provided both
September 1931 – Japan invaded
Within a few months, Japan had taken over
September 1932 – Japan set up a puppet government and renamed the region Manchukuo

4. Reaction Japan was a member of the League of Nations
League of Nations condemned Japan for its aggression
Japan simply withdrew from the League
Argued that its military action was crucial to its long-term security

7. The “China Incident” Japan set its sites on China
U.S. did not like this – It’s stake in the Open Door Policy was close to $100 million a year
If Japan grew stronger and had more natural resources – they would be able to compete with the U.S. for global trade
U.S. citizens sympathized with the Chinese people
FDR authorized small loans to China to buy military supplies

8. The “China Incident”
1937 Japan launched a full scale attack on Shanghai and Nanjing – cities in China
They killed tens of thousands of Chinese civilians
Japanese leaders tried to down play what happened by calling it the “China Incident”
This angered many Americans, however it was nothing more than words

9. Review Why did Japan need to expand? Where did they invade and why?
How did the U.S. feel about Japanese expansionism?
What was the “China Incident”?