Background Meiji Restoration 1868 -end the rule of

Background Meiji Restoration 1868 -end the rule of Tokugawa Shogunate -power was in hands of Oligarchs -started the Meiji Modernization 1868

Meiji Modernization 1868 -slogans: “Rich country, Strong Army”, “Colonization and Industry” & “Civilization and Enlightenment” -carried out reforms-constitutional, Economic, education, military, legal reforms -very successful-Japan as “the Britain in The East”

1. A constitutional monarchy mixed with Japanese traditions • Emperor • Army & navy • Genro • The Privy Council • Diet-House of Peers & House of Representatives • Prime minister & Cabinet

The Meiji Constitution 1889 -Ito Hirobumi & mission -Prussian model with monarchy as the Focus -practised until 1945 -[study the chart on p. 197]

Comment on Meiji Constitution: -many shortcomings! 1. Emperor enjoyed too much power 2. Genro (elder statesmen) retained control Over policies through giving advice to Emperor.

3. Diet was powerless. The House of Peers Was dominated by genros. 4. There was limited suffrage (2% only men paying tax Could vote) 5. The prime minister was responsible to The emperor àSuperficially democratic & gave rise To crises in 1912 -3.

The Taisho Political Crisis 1912 -3 Background: -rise of middle educated class -ideas of liberty and democracy popular -”Organic Theory” & “Theory of Universal Manhood Suffrage” emerged

Organic Theory: -the emperor was an organ -government should be responsible to that Organ, but the government responsible To the citizens.

Theory of Universal Manhood Suffrage: -Universal Suffrage League -general election to the cabinet -vetoed by House of Peers (Genro) & the League was dismantled in 1921.

The Crisis -Taisho became the new emperor -the prime minister rejected the military Ministry’s request for increased military Spending. -Army minister resigned, prime minister Resigned & new cabinet dissolved. -Katsura Taro (warlord) was appointed As the New prime minister and formed a New Cabinet.

Opposition to Katsura -public & political parties & “Movement To Protect Constitutional Government” Called Katsura to resign. -Katsura urged Taisho to issue an edict To suppress the opposition. -the Diet condemned Katsura and was Suspended. -When the Diet reopened, 6000 people Supported the Diet. Katsura dissolved The Diet.

-The Diet cast “non-confidence” vote Against the prime minister. -Unable to pacify the mass, Katsura Resigned and his cabinet dissolved.

Significance of Taisho Crisis: 1. First time the prime minister And cabinet was overthrown by mass-> Saw the importance of mass support to the Cabinet. 2. Saw the importance of army->affect the Cabinet without its support. rise Of army’political status and rise of Militarism in Japan in the 1930 s.

2. Rise of political parties -industrialization-> industrialists & professionals, middle class & intellectuals discontented with fake democracy -many oligarchs died -world democratic trend -Hara Kei the first civilian prime minister responsible for the Diet. -1920 s, party rule

3. Foreign policies & expansions -for raw materials & overseas market -not very aggressive -1900 -Allied Expedition, 1902 -Anglo. Japanese Alliance, 1904 -Russo-Japanese War, 1910 -colonized Korea -1914 -WWI-Shandong

The Anglo Japanese Alliance 1902 Motives of Japan: 1. Revenge [Liaodong] after the “Triple Intervention”in 1895 (Sino. Japanese War) 2. Conflict with / Threat from Russia in Korea and Manchuria 3. Strengthened her power against Russia In the future.

Motives of Britain: 1. Needed an ally to protect her interest In China and to check Russia in the Far East. 2. Found being isolated in Europe [Triple Entente & Triple Alliance 1897] 3. Challenge from Germany

Significance of the Alliance: To Britain: 1. Ended her isolation policy 2. Got an ally To Japan: 1. Dared to challenge Russia with strong Backing->sped up Russo-Japanese War. 2. Raised Japan’s international status [first alliance between an Asia and A European country]

The Russo-Japanese War 1904 -5 Events leading to the war 1. The Russian Expansion of Manchuria -endangered the interest of Japan 2. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902 3. Battle of Tsushima Straits

Treaty of Portsmouth -no indemnity was paid -signed with the mediation of Roosevelt -p. 204 Significance: 1. Impact on Japan—rising status 2. Impact on Russia—great humiliation 1905 Russian Revolution 3. Impact on China—suffered most 4. Impact on Korea---became independent more likely under Japan’s conquest

The First World War 1914 -an ally of Britain -consolidated her world power status -occupied the German base in Shandong [Jiaozhou Bay]/ Act to revenge on Germany in Triple Intervention in 1895.

The Twenty One Demands 1915 -with Yuan Shikai -5 groups (notes) -Britain & US protested->Japan deleted 5 th group. -Yuan accepted in return for Japan’s support to his monarchical Movement -Japan replaced Britain as the most influential power in China.

Group 1: transfer of German rights in Shandong to Japan Group 2: special interests in Manchuria And Mongolia Group 3: Mining rights in Changjiang Valley Group 4: no cession or lease of Chinese Coastal territories to any power Group 5: Japanese interference into China’s internal affairs

Secret Alliances with other powers 1916 -7 To keep Japan on the side of Triple Entente 1. Russia recognized 21 Demands 2. Britain & France recognized her interests In Shandong and in ex-German colonies 3. US signed Lansing Ishii Agreement , Not to oppose Japanese special claims In China

Paris Peace Conference 1919 Significance on Japan’s diplomatic status 1. The powers agreed to transfer the Rights in Shandong to Japan. The ex German Pacific Island became the mandated territory Of the League of Nations, under the control of Japan.

2. She became a respected member of International community. Japan was Recognized as one of the permanent Members of the League.

Washington Conference 1921 Why? -settle the problem in East Asia -develop a new order of peace in East Asia -deal with the Shandong problem -set up a new balance of power -end the Japanese-American naval arms race -terminate the Anglo-Japanese Alliance

Four Power Pact (text) Five Power Pact Nine Power Pact

Result: -limit the number and tonnage of its capital ships -observe the open-door policy of the US on China -not to renew the Anglo-Japanese Alliance -agreed to respect the integrity of China and Withdraw troops from Shandong.

Impact on Japan -Her expansion was temporarily checked -attack on the “weak-kneed” diplomatic policy -paved for the rise of militarist government

Think About? What do you think of the condition of The following in early 20 th century: 1. Freedom 2. Freedom of women 3. Education standard 4. Urbanization 5. Workers’ condition

Background: 1. No class division [shogun-daimyo. Peasants-artisans-merchants] 2. Highest rate of literacy->middle Educated class 3. Rising status of women 4. Urge for democracy

C. Social Conditions 1. A society of limited freedom -”Peace Preservation Law” to suppress any ideas that threatened the reign of the emperor. 2. Higher education standard in Asia -1907, 6 years of education -school system of primary, secondary and universities.

3. Rapid urbanization and great differences between cities and villages -big industrial cities, e. g Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, etc. 4. Poor livelihood and social unrest -workers (cotton mill) & tenant peasants (land tax 4%-17. 5% in R-J War time)

Examples of Social Movements

The Rice Riot 1918 -government’s policy favoured Zaibatsu -mass protested against the increase in the Price of rice -showed the power of mass

The Labour Organization -Suzuki Bunji, Christian socialist formed “Friendly Society” in 1921, advocating Harmonious relationships between Employers and employees. -By 1918, number of members rose to 30000.

-after 1919, more labour organizations Rose. -the capitalists and government suppressed Them -they became more radical. -”Friendly Society” was split into two factions And renamed as “Japan Federation of Labour” in 1921.

The Women’s Movement -1911, “Bluestocking Society” & magazine “Bluestocking” To spread idea of women’s liberation. -Three key actresses gained popularity And changed the old concepts.

-1920, “New Women’s Association” was Formed & magazine “Women’s Union”. They asked for amendment to Article 5 To allow women joining political parties And activities. -it was finally dissolved.

The Taisho Democratic Movement -divided into two camps: political parties & the popular movement and its leaders -1924, unified under the Kato cabinet -1925 “General Election Law” allowed The proletarian party to participate in Elections.

Background: -Meiji Modernization-Industrial Development -mainly government run industries and Light industries -later the government sold the non. Military industries to private enterprises At low prices, e. g. Mitsubishi, Yasuda, Mitsui, Sumitomo, etc.

B. Economic Conditions 1. Economic ups & downs -economic ups & downs related with foreign wars -victories--financial problems/ overspending--issued bonds and increased taxes. Tax increased by 50% in R-J War and by 100% in second year.

-After R-J War, Japan seized railway and mining rights in Manchuria--angered Chinese--boycott Japanese goods. -During WWI, occupied Shandong and controlled railways + dominated the chinese market and sold necessities to the western powers.

-After WWI, entered dark age during the 1920 s + Great Depression 1929 (silk export dropped)--unemployment

2. Rapid Industrialization -benefits from the victories in S-J & R-J War: Korea, Manchuria & Taiwan -foreign land brought sufficient food supply and lessened the demand for food. -helped develop light industry: raw materials and market. E. g. silk export and Japanese cotton.

-helped heavy industry: mining and railway rights, production of warships and steamships, sea transport, shipbuilding and chemical industries. -enterprises increased from 400 (1868) to 8000 (1903) -->Japan became industrialized country.

3. Further extension of the influence of Zaibatsu -the government had sold most industries (non strategic) to Zaibatsu. -Zaibatsu developed capital intensive industries such as finance, trade or transport, etc. -By 1913, 75% of industrial & commercial capital was controlled by Zaibatsu.

“Monopolized Capitalism” Think about? Suggest one form of monopolized Services in Hong Kong. First Bus, Kowloon Motor Bus, City Bus

-20 th century industry focused on heavy Industry, military industries and the Nationalization of railways. -WWI, Japan increased its export and earn Foreign profits. “Monopolized Capitalism” Emerged.

Characteristics of Capitalism in Japan: 1. The rise of privileged capitalists -colluded with the government to get Protection -had great influence in industrial Development.

2. Limited Scope of heavy industry -heavily depended on foreign technology -light industry [textile industry] overtook The heavy industry. 3. The focus on capitalism and military Industry -because industry was driven by national Capital and external wars.

4. The basis of semi-feudal agriculture -signified the exploitation of labour class And serious disconnection between industry And agriculture. -but it guaranteed a cheap labour force.

Significance of Monopolized Capitalism: 1. it led to emergence of Zaibatsu 2. It affected the life of peasants/ agrarian Industry became undervalued. It Brought poverty and Weakening of people’s purchasing power. 3. Domestic market had no room for Expansion economic fear and downturns

Japanese economy in & after WWI -Japan exported the products to developing Countries, US & Europe. -Military supplies to Britain and Russia Increased. -Shipping and shipbuilding industries grew. -Light industries, machinery industry, Chemical industry developed. .

Outcome: -3 rd largest shipping country in 1919. -steel production increased by 7 times Electricity increased by 2. 8 times. -light industry accounted for 70% of the National economy.

Background: -consequence of political reform & Affluence of capitalism -learnt the western culture & believed In the importance of traditional values And ideas. “Rokumeikan” -developed science and humanities

Think about? What is the traditional values of The Japanese? (How did we view their Emperor? Did they love western culture? ) What is their traditional religion?

1. Preservation and traditional cultures -confucian beliefs such as loyalty to the emperor, filial piety to parents -Shintoism -nationalism (details) in Imperial Rescript on Education 1890 & National Textbook System

2. Absorption of western culture Why? -western education -magazines & newspaper -affected their way of clothing, architecture.

The promotion of national loyalty: -the idea of loyalty and obedience & Belief in traditional ideas and values -1886, the ministry of education decreed The school based on nationalism. -1890, The Imperial Rescript on Education “goodness, righteousness, piety and loyalty”

-1907, compulsory education to 6 years. -higher education expanded.

Achievements in Humanities Achievements in Science END

Concluding Remarks: 1920 s “how to be equal such power as the US in terms of national strength or even to surpass her? ” “joining the families of European nations” 1930 s “becoming better than Britain and the US”

-1932, Takahashi’s progressive financial Policy-expanding armaments and military Production-focused on heavy and military Industry -1933, Japan withdrew from League and Occupied north-eastern part of China.

2. Initiation of the Pacific War and invasion of SE Asia -isolated China to cut off military back up from Indochina -natural resources, e. g. tin, oil -Attack on Pearl Harbour

Entry into the WWII -1941 Dec 7, attack on Pearl Harbour brought the US into the war. -dropping of atomic bombs on 6, 9 Aug 1945. -Japan surrendered on 15 Aug 1945