Embedded Files
Learning Checklist
Learning Checklist
Focus 1: Background to Japan’s rise to power
Context of Japan
□ Meiji Restoration of 1868
□ Wars against China (1894-1895) and Russia (1904-1905)
□ Washington Naval Treaty (1921)
Japan’s ambition
□ Ultranationalism
□ Desire to get resources
Divide between civilian politicians and military leaders
Focus 2: Japan’s expansionist foreign policy
□ Rise of militarism in Japanese leadership
□ Japan and the Western Powers
□ Great Depression and Japan's search for sef-sufficiency
Focus 3: Manchurian Crisis and the response of the LON
□ Manchurian crisis
□ Political instability in China
Focus 4: Japanese aggression towards China, 1933-1940
□ Japanese aggression towards China
□ Impact of WWII in Europe on Asia-Pacific
Focus 4: Japan-US relations
□ US economic war on Japan
Trade embargo
□ Japan's response
□ Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
□ Attack on Pearl Harbour
Background of Japan's Rise & Timeline
Background of Japan's Rise & Timeline
Meiji Restoration of 1868
The Meiji emperor led the Meiji Restoration which aimed to strengthen Japan through modernisation and industrialisation.
Japanese historical and cultural legacies
The Japanese people were open to strong military leaders involved in political events due to the precedent set by the Tokugawa Shogunate.
The honour-based samurai code was also highly respected. Backing down or surrendering was perceived as dishonourable.
These shaped the mindset of the Japanese in how they reacted to threats of war and relations with other nations.
What were the reasons for Japanese aggression and expansionist policy?
Internal Reasons
Internal Reasons
Crises in Japan
Crises in Japan
Political: Growing military influence in Japanese politics
The militarists tried to gain power
Assassination of Prime Minister Inukai in May 1932 ended parliamentary rule → Martial law was declared and the military effectively controlled the government
The emperor and other politicians gave in to the military’s demands so as to prevent more political violence → Created an environment that favoured an aggressive foreign policy
Economic: Japan’s population growth from 40 million in 1900 to 64 million in 1930 & the Great Depression
Worsened the shortage of available land for farming → Use of traditional farming methods also resulted in severe food shortages and suffering among the people → The Japanese became unhappy with the government
Many countries, like the USA and Britain, practised protectionism by raising taxes → Resulted in a falling demand for Japanese exports, like silk, worldwide → Affected the Japanese livelihood as unemployment and bankruptcy increased
Social: Japan’s population growth from 40 million in 1900 to 64 million in 1930
Increased demand for housing, goods and products
Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia and Europe
Japan’s ambition to establish itself in Asia and Europe
Japan’s expansionist foreign policy
Japan’s expansionist foreign policy
Desire to get resources
Rise of militarism in Japanese leadership
Creation of Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (1938)
External Reasons
External Reasons
Japan’s responses to world developments in the 1930s
Japan’s responses to world developments in the 1930s
Weakness of League of Nation
💡Food for thought:
💡Food for thought:
Do you remember the Mukden Incident & Manchuria 1931?
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
💡Food for thought:
💡Food for thought:
Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?
How did the war in Europe become an opportunity for the Japanese?
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