1. The Rise of Japanese Militarism
The Interwar Years

2. Japan begins to industrialize after the Meiji Restoration
Emperor elevated to new status
Created a Constitutional Monarchy
Supported by Shintoism
Japan Develops Army based on Germany.
Develops Navy based on England’s

3. Japan Imperialism 1894—Took Taiwan away from China
In 1910, occupied Korea
From 1894 on had resources from Manchuria

4. Japan Hit Hard by Great Depression
In the 1930s
Worker’s Real Income was down and unemployment was up
Depression blamed on the weakness of the parliamentary government.
When Germany became strong under Hitler, some Japanese started looking to Germany as their model
Gradually began to demand an “Asia for the Asians”

5. Post-World War I Japan
After World War I, Japan saw itself as the dominant power in the East
It began to pursue policies that would increase their territory and their influence in Asia
Ultimately, these policies would lead to the outbreak of war in the Pacific

6. Motives for Japanese Expansion
Economics
Japan was in desperate need of natural resources to fuel its industry and military
Extreme Nationalism
Many Japanese citizens believed that Japan was the most superior country in Asia and therefore had the right to rule everyone else
Acts by Western Powers
Several actions by Western powers were motivated by the belief that Japan was not equal; these insults fueled imperialistic desires in Japan

7. The Invasion of China Begins
In 1931 Japan invaded the northern area of China, Manchuria, which had huge deposits of natural resources like coal
The League of Nations did nothing

8. 1937: The Invasion Spreads
After a few years, Japanese forces moved south and invaded China
During this invasion they took control of the Chinese capital, Nanking (also written as Nanjing—same place)

9. The Rape of Nanking, 1937
During the invasion, the people of Nanking were treated horribly by the Japanese soldiers

10. The Japanese Government
Though Japan had an emperor, the military had taken control of the government by this time
Emperor Hirohito could not stand up to the powerful generals, but he was worshipped by the people, who often fought in his name
The military leader of Japan was General Hideki Tojo

11. The need for more resources
Next, Japan began to look towards Southeast Asia for more resources
Their quest for territory and resources in this part of Asia would lead the US to become involved with stopping their expansion
But more on that later….

12. Imperial Japan in 1939

13. In 1939, Japan’s Problems in Asia, not European
How to deal with China
Very threatened by Soviet Union
Didn’t want to antagonize the United States
Coveted Vietnam, Dutch East Indies and other areas in Southeast Asia
Believed that Southeast Asia should be ruled by Asians, mainly them
They lose the Battle of Nomonhan to Soviet Union.

14. In 1940
Tripartite Pact
Hitler starts thinking about invading Soviet Union

15. In 1941 April 13, 1941—Japan concludes treaty of neutrality with USSR.
June 22, 1941—Hitler invades Soviet Union
June 23, 1941—German controlled France agrees to let Japan take over Vietnam.
US places total embargo after Vietnam and Dutch East Indies occupied by Japan.

16. Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941—Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
Admiral Yamamoto terrified to learn that Air Craft Carriers not hurt
Hitler declares war on US

29. Bataan Death March
Japan attacked the Philippines in December The Philippines fell in May 1942.
The Japanese troops forced the sick, malnourished American soldiers to march 55 miles. After a trip on a railway, they had to march another 8 miles. 7,000 American and Filipino troops died during the grueling journey.

30. Doolittle Raid
America did a bombing raid in April of 1942 by launching bombers from aircraft carriers.
Bombed Tokyo
Japan was embarrassed, and resolved to destroy aircraft carriers, and began to plan to attack Midway