Conflicting Forces in Japan p 410 Hirohito

Conflicting Forces in Japan p. 410:

Hirohito: • Ruled Japan from 1926 to 1989. • When he ascended the throne, he promised his ancestors and the Japanese people to – “preserve world peace” – “benefit the welfare of the human race. ”

Japan had become a wealthy nation for its business class • EC: For them there was a rapid rising standard of living (3) – Cities were growing • full of job opportunities and excitement. – The military was comparable to any Western imperialist power.

Japan was very vulnerable in that (3)… • it had no natural resources to sustain its rapid industrial and economic growth. – It depended heavily on the world economy to supply them. – Foreign resources expensive

1920 s: • EC: Politically, Japan was moving toward democratic practices: (4) – Strong political parties – The Diet (legislature) grew more powerful, compared to the emperor. – Universal male suffrage in 1925. – Women made some gains in rights, but were still socially lower than men.

There were still some social weaknesses: • Most political parties were influenced by the _______ (business families). – zaibatsu • The politicians made laws and policies favoring the zaibatsu. • Military leaders could be bought by the zaibatsu.

Other economic and social problems: • Rural areas were still suffering economically. • City workers were still paid very low wages. – EC: What problem did that cause for Japanese leaders? • Some workers and unemployed were joining socialist and communist groups • EC: Japanese youth were rebelling against traditions (3) – Adopted Western fads and traditions – Rejected family authority – Explored Western individual freedom

Money: • Japan’s economy was vulnerable to economic recessions – Natural business cycle of the world and local economies. • EC: How did this make Japan vulnerable? • If Japan’s major trade partners suffered recessions, they purchased less from Japan.

Natural Problems • EC: The Tokyo ______ in 1923. (3) – earthquake • Killed 100, 000 • Many businesses were destroyed – Caused 45% unemployment • EC: Tokyo recovered around ____ – 1929. – EC: Just in time for the beginning of the _____ • Great Depression

The Tokyo earthquake in 1923

1930 s: Desperate Japan • Ultranationalists: • Extreme nationalists and military leaders.

Ultranationalists accuse and demand (5)… • US, Canada, and Australia of racist policies against Japanese immigrants • liberal politicians of selling out or being weak with the Western powers. – Wanted to resume imperialist expansion. • Wanted Japan to be respected as a firstclass power in the world. – Were outraged by liberal government reducing the military

Manchuria: • Northeast region of China. • Resources – Iron, – Oil – Copper – Coal – Land for Japanese colonists

Nationalist Rule • Nationalists took over the government in Tokyo by 1936. • Revived Japanese culture – EC: “samurai” principles (5) • Serve the emperor as a living god • Absolute obedience, no individuality – Die for the emperor and state, no surrender • Attack the enemies of Japan (China, the Western powers. ) • Put nationalism and warrior skills in the Japanese school system.

EC: Ultranationalist Japan finds friends in Europe: (2) • Germany and Italy were taken over by ultranationalists as well. • Japan joined them in 1936, by 1940 the three nations formed the Axis Pact. – All sought to create self-reliant economic and racial empires. – 1940

End hwk • Begin class work

Review: What problems plagued China in the 1920 s and 30 s. (5) • • • Warlords Foreign Control Corrupt Nationalist Government Chinese Civil War Japanese Invasion

EC: Japan had colonies/holdings in…. (4) • • Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and holdings in China Many Western Pacific Islands.

1920 s • Japanese arts entered an experimental phase; 2 (industrial); 3 (workers; nationalist work force) • EC: Japanese business had successful exports: (2) – Silk and ceramics to rich allied nations – Heavy machinery to much of Asia

1920 s: Militarism subsides • Japan’s militarist aggression worried the Allied powers. • EC: Tokyo decided to reduce military activity: (3) – Japan signed the Washington Naval Treaty in 1922, to show she was willing to work for world peace and limit warships. – The Diet passed legislation to remove troops from China – The government reduced military spending.

Standards Check, p. 411 • Question: • All men were allowed to vote in 1925 • Rich zaibatsu had excessive influence on party politicians.

map skills, 412 • Near – Tokyo – Osaka – Areas to the south • 3 – Petroleum – Bauxite

1929: • EC: Japan faced its worst economic crisis. • A global economic depression began in the United States. – Many US banks failed – Japan depended on US banks for • loans • purchases.

No money to borrow; no money to buy – Soon, money dried up in Japan’s economy causing (4) • • business shutdowns, massive unemployment, and food prices skyrocketed. The countryside was devastated as the poor got poorer.

Ultranationalist opportunity • EC: Ultranationalists blamed Japan’s economic problems on (3) • United States, Britain, and France – They failed to control of the world economy. • Japanese ultranationalists felt that Japan must be economically independent • EC: They felt the answer was to (3) – make their empire large and strong to » gain the resources they needed » make foreign markets buy Japanese products.

Standards Check, p. 412 • Question: • The export industry suffered • Nationalists argued that expansion could provide new resources.

Defying World Opinion. • EC: The _____ criticized Japan for the invasion of Manchuria. • League of Nations • Japan quit the League. – This showed the world that Japan no longer cared about world opinion or world peace. • It became a “rogue” nation.

Review: Why did Japan Want Manchuria? – Iron, – Oil – Copper – Coal – Land for Japanese colonists

Nationalist Rule • EC: As nationalists took control, they set strict policies: (2) • Forbid foreign culture, only Japanese culture was allowed – Japanese people would not give up American baseball • Used secret police (Kempeitai) to arrest/kill pro-Western politicians, socialists, communists, and democrats.

biography, 413 • Question • According to Japanese tradition he was – A living god – The nation’s supreme authority

More War • EC: In 1937, Japan brutally invaded _____ while that country was locked in civil war. • China, • Japan’s road to another world war had begun.

Review: Japanese vulnerabilities and problems • • No natural resources Rural areas still poor Low wages and unemployment in cities Japanese youth rebelling Economy depended on foreigners Tokyo earthquake, 1923 Powerful business families controlling the government.

Standards Check, p. 413 • Question: • They restricted freedoms and imposed traditional culture on the Japanese people. • They also invaded and tried to expand into China – Claiming to free Asians from White Imperialist rule

If Time: DVD: • World at War: Japan…. . handout