1. Japan and the Pacific Rim Beginning of 20 th C. Japan pushed for military and diplomatic gains. Expansionist power—Annexed Korea in 1910—extracting taxes and raw materials from its colonies in return for industrial goods Lags behind West. Relies on cheap labor and limited # of exports Zaibatsus, expanded into shipbuilding and metallurgy. But economy dependent on foreigners

2. Japan and the Pacific Rim Japanese gain a higher standard of living as urban society develops. Education advances and population grows which hampers living standards Suffers briefly from the Great Depression as exports boom and military spending increases

3. Militarism Political problems led to WW II Oligarchy leads to military leaders seizing lead Seize Manchuria in 1931 Nationalist groups emerge to support the military

4. Militarism Coup attempts by young officers in 1932 and 1936 gave the military a stronger influence in government Leads to militarist prime ministers under General Tojo Develops into a regional empire. Korea, Manchuria and Taiwan.

5. Pacific Rim Korea—Japan creates resentments and don’t develop the economy Abolish Korean monarchy, exploited economically and culturally –Implement Japanese culture –And exploit the country’s resources Peasantry forced to produce rice to export to Japan

6. Pacific Rim Singapore (Chinese population) used as a British naval base and commercial seaport –Suffered greatly from Japanese occupation –After WW II has high unemployment and poverty

7. Pacific Rim Korea divided into Russian and American occupation zones Taiwan was occupied by Chiang Kai-shek’s Chinese government USA and Europe temporarily reoccupy their colonial possessions Japan occupied by USA, peacefully evolved a new political structure Pac Rim states become stable noncommunist nations tied to the West

8. Japanese Recovery Recovers quickly USA occupation ends in 1952 Military disbanded and democratization introduced –Defense left to the USA –Parliament—civil liberties –Emperor—figure head –Two strong political parties Social service obligation to elderly, recognition of traditional values

9. Japanese Recovery Women received right to vote, unions encouraged and Shintoism abolished as state religion Educational system—one of the best in the world