1. Notebook Entries:
20th Century Conflicts (part 2)
2. Japanese Militarists
3. Explain Militarism and Militarists.
EQ: Evaluate the extent to which WWII fits
our model for modern conflict.
causation, leaders, issues, rivalry, racism,
militarism, alliance systems, nationalism
By the end of class our objectives are to:
- describe how Japan came under military rule
- explain why Japan invaded Manchuria
- explain why Japan invaded China
Tonight’s Homework: Read & Outline p. 812-815
Q3 Interval Assessment: Thursday and Friday
Failed Democracy:
• 1920s – Japanese government became more
democratic
• 1922 – signed treaty to respect China’s borders
• 1928 – Kellogg-Briand Pact: renounced war
• Weak Parliamentary system
– Constitution limited powers of Prime Minister
and cabinet
– Civilian leaders had little control over the
armed forces
– Military leaders reported only to the emperor
Militarists Take Control:
• Government blamed for Great Depression
• Military leaders gained support and won
control
• Did not establish new system of government
– Made the emperor the symbol
of state power
– Keeping emperor won popular
support
Goals of Militarists:
• Extreme nationalism
• Solve economic problems
– Foreign expansion
– Pacific empire including a conquered China
• Empire would provide
– Raw materials
– Markets for goods
– Room for rising population
1
Japan invades Manchuria:
• Japanese business invested heavily in
China’s northeast province: Manchuria
• Army seized Manchuria
• Direct challenge
to League of
Nations
– Condemned Japan,
but no power to
enforce decisions
– Japan withdrew
from League and
ignored protests
2
Japan Invades China:
• 1937 – Japanese and Chinese battle
• Japan invades northern China
– Chinese have a million soldiers but are no match
• Japanese kill tens of thousands of soldiers and
civilians
• Chinese guerillas led
by Mao continue to
fight in conquered
area
3