Chapter 24

Section 3: Japan Builds an Empire

• U.S. forced Japan to open its market to foreigners in 1853

• Pushed Japan to strengthen its military & modernize its economy to defend itself

–Developed a constitutional government

• Japan expanded its sphere of influence in East Asia after wars with China & Russia

–Took control of Korea & influence over Manchuria

–By WWI, it developed into one of the strongest nations in the world

Growing Military Power

• During WWI, Japan joined the Allies

–Conquered several German possessions in the Pacific & access to markets abandoned by the Europeans (economy prospered)

• Signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact that condemned war & pledged to peacefully settle disagreements

Democracy in Crisis

• 1920’s- recession/ 1930’s depression

• Depended on exporting goods

• Decline led to layoffs, strikes, & political discontent

• Blamed the multi-party system because it took too long dealing with economic problems

• Some politicians enriched themselves by taking bribes from family owned companies

The Rise of Nationalism

• Several radical groups formed in response to the government perceived weaknesses

–Demanded a return to traditional ways, end multiparty rule, powerful business, & other western style institutions

• Assassinated several politicians hoping the military would take over the government

The Manchurian Incident

• Japan was experiencing a population boom, so in order to feed everyone they looked towards Manchuria for raw materials, coal, & iron ore

• Sept 1931- Japanese army in Manchuria took matters into their own hands

• Claimed that Chinese soldiers had tried to blow up railway lines, they captured several cities in southern Manchuria

–Chinese troops withdrew from the area

–Feb 1932- Japanese troops seized all of Manchuria

• Japan announced that Manchuria was now the independent state of Manchukuo under their protection

–Puppet state with P’U-I as head of state

–US & GB protested that Japan broke the Kellogg-Briand Pact, but they did not stop the Japanese aggression

• League of Nations ordered Japan to withdraw, Japan refused & withdrew from the League

• 1932 Naval officers helped assassinate the Prime Minster

–Ended the multiparty government

• 1936- uprising by junior officers resulted in the murder of high government officials

–Uprising failed but gave military more power

• Japan’s military leaders never seized control of the government, but had a lot of influence in foreign policy

War Against China

• July 1937-resumed its invasion of China

• End of July forces occupied Beijing & Tiajin

• Chinese nationalist army led by Chiang Kai-Shek (Jiang Jieshi) resisted the invasions

• Japan’s superior weapons over- came China’s manpower advantage

• US & others condemned Japan’s actions

–Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts that prevented the US from becoming involved in foreign conflicts

• Soviet Union backed China with arms, military advisors, & warplanes

• GB sent supplies over the Burma Road

• War brought two enemies together

–Chiang Kai-Shek & Chinese Communists leader Mao Zedong

–By 1939 war reached a stalemate

Looking Beyond China

• 1940 Japan’s Prime Minister announced a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere extending from Manchuria to the Dutch East Indies

• It also would liberate Asia from European colonies

• Japan needed the natural resources to carry on the war against China

• Sept.1940- Japan allied itself with Germany & Italy through the Tripartite Pact

• April 1941- Japan signed a neutrality pact with the Soviet Union