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Militarism
Around the time of 1912-1926, Emperor Taisho ruled Japan weekly. This was when the parliament and the democratic parties had a chance to gain political power. In World War One, Japan was part of the allied powers. During the Paris
Peace Conference of 1919, Japan proposed to add a "racial equality clause" to the League of Nations. This idea however was rejected by the United States, Britain and Australia. This was a major factor in weakening the power between these countries and Japan. In fact, the United States had just passed the Exclusion Act, stating that no more Japanese immigrants were allowed into the states. “During the 1930s, the military established almost complete control
over the government.”(Japan-guide) There was much bloodshed for political enemies, and communists were victimized,
and assassinated. Indoctrination and censorship started to take over in schools, and in public. Navy and army officers finally began to occupy offices in government such as the prime minister. Finally in 1933, Japan withdrew from the
League of Nations.
Imperialism
-Imperialism is the domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region.
Before 1853, Japan was under the conditions of self-imposed isolation, meaning they were closed off to trade, and cultural diffusion. This ended when the United States sent Commodore Mathew Perry, to Japan to end the nation’s isolation. The ultimate goal was to include Japan in trade. This intrusion of western ideas, and cultures truly changed Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate at the time was the country’s feudal regime, and form of government. They were soon overthrown for purposes of allowing western nations into Japan. Soon after this change in power, Emperor Mutsushito was put onto the throne. He realized that the only way to survive as a strong nation would be to adopt western ways. Japans industrialization became known as the Meiji Restoration. When the Japanese Country no longer feared that they would be imperialized, and
were confident in their own nation, they went out and exercised their power by practicing imperialism themselves. They began practicing imperialism by dominating surrounding Asian nations. In the late 1800’s, Japan participated in the Sino-Japanese War as well as the Russo-Japanese War. Japan had won both of them proudly. In 1905 Japan benefited from the Treaty of Portsmouth, where they received rights such as Chinese port city trading rights, and Control of Manchuria in China. “To restore entirely and completely to the exclusive administration of China all portions of Manchuria now in occupation or under the control of the Japanese or Russian troops, with the exception of the territory above mentioned.”(Portsmouth peace treaty) Also, Japan received Korea as its protectorate. These advantages helped Japan become a world power.
Manchuria Incident
In 1931, the Japanese Kwangtung Army moved into Manchuria, for the attack of Chinese troops. This is commonly known as the Manchurian Incident. This attack was in order to take over the province of Manchurian, and later control
all of East Asia. Around the late 1930's and early 1940's, Japan set an ambition to acquire the East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. This was due to the fact that Japan had been cut out of many trading markets. Japan, being an archipelago, lacked the many natural resources that an industrializing nation needs. To improve Japan’s economy, and power, Japan invested money into the economy of Manchuria. Manchuria also had a vast amount of natural resources. At the time,
Manchuria was controlled by the South Manchuria Railway Company, and it was located in China. Japan owned a railroad, coal mines belonging to the railroad, and a number of towns in Manchuria. Japan, wanting a reason to invade Manchuria, blew up their own railway and placed the blame on China. This invasion rose concern, and a change in Japan's foreign policy. When the League of Nations stepped in, Manchuria was already in Japanese hands. The invasion also led to the consideration of Japan as a world power. They then created Manchukuo, which was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia. Now Japan is a major power with a strong industry, growing empire, and a strong army and navy.
The Second Sino-Japanese War
Shortly after the Manchuria incident, the Second Sino-Japanese war took place. The first Sino- apanese war occurred in 1895. This war ended in Japan’s success due to the modernization and industrialization of Japan. It was 1937 when large-scale fighting for the second war began. The first attack occurred when Japanese units were attacked at the Marco Polo Bridge outside Peking. In the last month of 1937, Japan was in the process of capturing Nanjing. Capturing this is both a tactical and a political victory. The Japanese government feared that news of horrible treatment of Chinese citizens and those visiting in Nanjing would spread around the world, and cause Japan to gain many enemies. Japanese pilots were told to attack, causing two western soldiers to die and shock foreigners. The truth of what was happening in Nanjing was covered up so that demands for a declaration of war against Japan would be prevented. Not long after the capture of Nanjing, Japan took a hiatus, and slowed down in capturing China. The Second Sino-Japanese War ended in 1945. This was due to Japan surrendering when World War II ended.
Battle of Lake Khasan
The Battle of Lake Khasan was an attempted military invasion by the Japanese that lasted from July 29th until August 11, 1938. The Japanese had invaded territory claimed by the Soviet Union. They did this because they believed that the Soviet Union had misunderstood, or were altering the placing of the boundary that was agreed upon in the Treaty of Peking. The Japanese Kwantung Army received a message from the Russians on July 6, 1938, stating that Russian soldiers “should be given permission to secure high ground west of Lake Khasan that had been previously unoccupied.” (Kosmix) The Japanese Korean Army first ignored the Russians, but then they took them seriously, and demanded they leave. When the Russians ignored the demand, The Japanese assaulted the Russians. But the Russians didn’t give up! Within one week the Japanese were pushed out of the Soviet territory.
Around the time of 1912-1926, Emperor Taisho ruled Japan weekly. This was when the parliament and the democratic parties had a chance to gain political power. In World War One, Japan was part of the allied powers. During the Paris
Peace Conference of 1919, Japan proposed to add a "racial equality clause" to the League of Nations. This idea however was rejected by the United States, Britain and Australia. This was a major factor in weakening the power between these countries and Japan. In fact, the United States had just passed the Exclusion Act, stating that no more Japanese immigrants were allowed into the states. “During the 1930s, the military established almost complete control
over the government.”(Japan-guide) There was much bloodshed for political enemies, and communists were victimized,
and assassinated. Indoctrination and censorship started to take over in schools, and in public. Navy and army officers finally began to occupy offices in government such as the prime minister. Finally in 1933, Japan withdrew from the
League of Nations.
Imperialism
-Imperialism is the domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region.
Before 1853, Japan was under the conditions of self-imposed isolation, meaning they were closed off to trade, and cultural diffusion. This ended when the United States sent Commodore Mathew Perry, to Japan to end the nation’s isolation. The ultimate goal was to include Japan in trade. This intrusion of western ideas, and cultures truly changed Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate at the time was the country’s feudal regime, and form of government. They were soon overthrown for purposes of allowing western nations into Japan. Soon after this change in power, Emperor Mutsushito was put onto the throne. He realized that the only way to survive as a strong nation would be to adopt western ways. Japans industrialization became known as the Meiji Restoration. When the Japanese Country no longer feared that they would be imperialized, and
were confident in their own nation, they went out and exercised their power by practicing imperialism themselves. They began practicing imperialism by dominating surrounding Asian nations. In the late 1800’s, Japan participated in the Sino-Japanese War as well as the Russo-Japanese War. Japan had won both of them proudly. In 1905 Japan benefited from the Treaty of Portsmouth, where they received rights such as Chinese port city trading rights, and Control of Manchuria in China. “To restore entirely and completely to the exclusive administration of China all portions of Manchuria now in occupation or under the control of the Japanese or Russian troops, with the exception of the territory above mentioned.”(Portsmouth peace treaty) Also, Japan received Korea as its protectorate. These advantages helped Japan become a world power.
Manchuria Incident
In 1931, the Japanese Kwangtung Army moved into Manchuria, for the attack of Chinese troops. This is commonly known as the Manchurian Incident. This attack was in order to take over the province of Manchurian, and later control
all of East Asia. Around the late 1930's and early 1940's, Japan set an ambition to acquire the East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. This was due to the fact that Japan had been cut out of many trading markets. Japan, being an archipelago, lacked the many natural resources that an industrializing nation needs. To improve Japan’s economy, and power, Japan invested money into the economy of Manchuria. Manchuria also had a vast amount of natural resources. At the time,
Manchuria was controlled by the South Manchuria Railway Company, and it was located in China. Japan owned a railroad, coal mines belonging to the railroad, and a number of towns in Manchuria. Japan, wanting a reason to invade Manchuria, blew up their own railway and placed the blame on China. This invasion rose concern, and a change in Japan's foreign policy. When the League of Nations stepped in, Manchuria was already in Japanese hands. The invasion also led to the consideration of Japan as a world power. They then created Manchukuo, which was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia. Now Japan is a major power with a strong industry, growing empire, and a strong army and navy.
The Second Sino-Japanese War
Shortly after the Manchuria incident, the Second Sino-Japanese war took place. The first Sino- apanese war occurred in 1895. This war ended in Japan’s success due to the modernization and industrialization of Japan. It was 1937 when large-scale fighting for the second war began. The first attack occurred when Japanese units were attacked at the Marco Polo Bridge outside Peking. In the last month of 1937, Japan was in the process of capturing Nanjing. Capturing this is both a tactical and a political victory. The Japanese government feared that news of horrible treatment of Chinese citizens and those visiting in Nanjing would spread around the world, and cause Japan to gain many enemies. Japanese pilots were told to attack, causing two western soldiers to die and shock foreigners. The truth of what was happening in Nanjing was covered up so that demands for a declaration of war against Japan would be prevented. Not long after the capture of Nanjing, Japan took a hiatus, and slowed down in capturing China. The Second Sino-Japanese War ended in 1945. This was due to Japan surrendering when World War II ended.
Battle of Lake Khasan
The Battle of Lake Khasan was an attempted military invasion by the Japanese that lasted from July 29th until August 11, 1938. The Japanese had invaded territory claimed by the Soviet Union. They did this because they believed that the Soviet Union had misunderstood, or were altering the placing of the boundary that was agreed upon in the Treaty of Peking. The Japanese Kwantung Army received a message from the Russians on July 6, 1938, stating that Russian soldiers “should be given permission to secure high ground west of Lake Khasan that had been previously unoccupied.” (Kosmix) The Japanese Korean Army first ignored the Russians, but then they took them seriously, and demanded they leave. When the Russians ignored the demand, The Japanese assaulted the Russians. But the Russians didn’t give up! Within one week the Japanese were pushed out of the Soviet territory.
"Â International Relations 1919-39." International Relations 1919. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.johndclare.net/Basics_intrel.htm>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/hirohito_emperor.shtml>.
"Japanese History: Militarism and World War II." Japanese History: Militarism and World War II. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2129.html>.
"Japan Invades Manchuria." : 1931. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/china/JapanManchuria.html>.
PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX97.html>.
"Portsmouth Peace Treaty, 1905-2005." Portsmouth Peace Treaty, 1905-2005. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.org/process/>.
"Tokugawa Period and Meiji Restoration." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.history.com/topics/meiji-restoration>.
<http://www.johndclare.net/Basics_intrel.htm>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/hirohito_emperor.shtml>.
"Japanese History: Militarism and World War II." Japanese History: Militarism and World War II. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2129.html>.
"Japan Invades Manchuria." : 1931. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/china/JapanManchuria.html>.
PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX97.html>.
"Portsmouth Peace Treaty, 1905-2005." Portsmouth Peace Treaty, 1905-2005. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.org/process/>.
"Tokugawa Period and Meiji Restoration." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.history.com/topics/meiji-restoration>.