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Garden City High School
Global History & Geography IV
Lesson:
Mr. M. Stratis, Esq.
Japanese Militarism
Aim : How did militarism shape Japan during the period after WorId War I?
I.
What were Japan's relations with the West?
A.
B.
II.
Japan was angry and bitter toward the West because it was not accepted as an
equal
The League of Nations refused to accept Japan's demand for a statement
1.
on racial equality in the League's charter (1919)
2.
Japanese regarded the League's actions as a humiliation
3.
The u.s. banned further Japanese immigration to its shores (1924)
4.
Japanese responded with a boycott of American goods and massive
demonstrations
Japan was further angered by the West's refusal to support Japanese policy in
China
Japan ruled Korea and Taiwan and wanted to expand its economic and
1.
political influence into East Asia
Japanese
diplomats had forced China to accept a list of terms known as
2.
the Twenty-One Demands, which in effect made China a Japanese
protectorate (1915)
a
Were abandoned under pressure from the West
b.
The West wanted to retain the Open Door Policy and maintain its
interests in China
How did social and political tensions affect Japan?
A.
B.
C.
Japanese population explosion was a major challenge
1.
Placed new emphasis on manufacturing and foreign trade to create
employment opportunities
2.
Government-controlled banks provided needed capital to encourage
expansion of heavy industry (machinery and equipment production for
factories), particularly in steel and railroads industries
3.
Most of the Japanese economy was in the hands oflarge privately owned
businesses known together as zaibatsu
Working class increased in importance while agricultural woes provided labor for
the new urban industries
Labor unions became more powerful and socialist policies were demanded
I
D.
(
E.
F.
III.
Japanese cities became great metropolises and centers of middle class culture
1.
Western influences shaped urban culture
2.
Rising standard ofliving produced need for better education
Japanese Parliament granted universal male suffrage in 1925
1.
Emperor Hirohito continued to be a constitutional monarch
2.
He also symbolized traditional authority and was surrounded by military
leaders opposed to democratic reforms
Deteriorating economy of the 1930s led to unemployment, starvation and violence
1.
Assassin shot prime minister Osachi Hamaguchi (1930)
2.
Farmers and workers turned to strong-minded military leaders such as
Hashimoto Kingoro for solutions
3.
Led to period of Japanese militarism which affected all aspects of Japanese
life
How did Japanese militarists demonstrate their power?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
leaders invaded the northeastern Chinese province of Manchuria (1931)
Japanese government opposed this move and could not control militarists
Manchuria was conquered by Japanese army in five months
Young military officers with rural backgrounds opposed democratic
government and eagerly accepted extremist ideas
Army officers assassinated prime minister opposed to their views in 1932
Army conspiracy to overthrow government was prevented in 1936
By 1937, the army and government were one and the same
Hirohito feared that his opposition to this militarism would only encourage more
extremism and possibly his removal from the throne
Japanese militarist openly spoke of creating a Japanese Empire based on the
secret strategy called the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere"
1.
Outlined the establishment of peace and prosperity under the domination
of the Japanese state
2.
Idea would be achieved through military and diplomatic triumphs over
other East Asian states
Army
1.
2.
3.
2