Garden City High School Mr. M. Stratis, Esq. ( Global History & Geography IV Lesson: Japanese

Aim: How did militarism shape during the period after WorId War I?

I. What were Japan's relations with the West?

A. Japan was angry and bitter toward the West because it was not accepted as an equal 1. The League ofNations refused to accept Japan's demand for a statement 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 ofAmerican goods and massive demonstrations B. Japan was further angered by the West's refusal to support Japanese policy in China 1. Japan ruled Korea and and wanted to expand its economic and political influence into East Asia 2. Japanese diplomats had forced China to accept a list ofterms known as 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

II. How did social and political tensions affect Japan?

A. 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 ofheavy industry (machinery and equipment production for factories), particularly in steel and railroads industries 3. Most ofthe Japanese economy was in the hands oflarge privately owned businesses known together as B. Working class increased in importance while agricultural woes provided labor for the new urban industries C. Labor unions became more powerful and socialist policies were demanded I D. Japanese cities became great metropolises and centers ofmiddle class culture ( 1. Western influences shaped urban culture 2. Rising standard ofliving produced need for better education E. Japanese Parliament granted universal male suffrage in 1925 1. Emperor continued to be a constitutional monarch 2. He also symbolized traditional authority and was surrounded by military leaders opposed to democratic reforms F. Deteriorating economy ofthe 1930s led to unemployment, starvation and violence 1. Assassin shot prime minister (1930) 2. Farmers and workers turned to strong-minded military leaders such as Hashimoto Kingoro for solutions 3. Led to period ofJapanese militarism which affected all aspects ofJapanese life

III. How did Japanese militarists demonstrate their power?

A. Army leaders invaded the northeastern Chinese province ofManchuria (1931) 1. Japanese government opposed this move and could not control militarists 2. was conquered by Japanese army in five months 3. Young military officers with rural backgrounds opposed democratic government and eagerly accepted extremist ideas B. Army officers assassinated prime minister opposed to their views in 1932 C. Army conspiracy to overthrow government was prevented in 1936 D. By 1937, the army and government were one and the same E. Hirohito feared that his opposition to this militarism would only encourage more extremism and possibly his removal from the throne F. Japanese militarist openly spoke ofcreating a Japanese Empire based on the secret strategy called the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" 1. Outlined the establishment ofpeace and prosperity under the domination ofthe Japanese state 2. Idea would be achieved through military and diplomatic triumphs over other East Asian states

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