The Rise of a Militarist Japan

A Zaibatsu Economy Society developed along Western model Zaibatsu – large financial & industrial corporation Help from gov. Controlled major segments of industrial sector 1937- 4 largest controlled 21% of banking 26% of mining 35% of ship building 60% of paper manufacturing 60% insurance

Problems Solution: Return to traditional Japanese values Do not cooperate w/ Western Powers Dominate Asia Economic inequalities City workers- poorly paid/housed Post –WWI Inflation in food prices = riots Population growth = food shortages 1900 – 43 mil 1940 – 73 mil Great Depression – suffering of workers/farmers

Japan & the West Need raw materials US wanted to keep Asia open for trading. Japan’s solution to raw material need – seize other territories. (Korea, Manchuria, ect.) 1922- 9 power treaty Recognized the territorial integrity of China Maintain Open Door Policy Allowed to keep control of S. Manchuria Problem- still need raw materials!

Rise of Militarism 1900-20s – move toward democracy End of 1920s – military forces emerged Group from the ruling party gained control of the political system Convinced the parliament system corrupted by Western ideas Others angered by military spending cut

Rise of extremist patriotic organizations Early 1930s Black Dragon Society, members of Army/Navy One group invaded Manchuria w/out gov approval People supported – Gov opposed invasion Hideki Tojo – dominated the gov. Emperor Hirohito refused to oppose the action of the military leaders 1938- placed on wartime status Imperial Rule Association – Japanese expansion abroad

Nationalism & Revolution in Asia 1920 – Lenin looks to societies outside the Western world to spread Marxism Comintern – worldwide org. of communist parties dedicated to the advancement of world revolution By end of 1920s – almost all colonial society in Asia had a Communist party

Communist Parties in Asia Some Communist parties were briefly able to est. a cooperative relationship with nationalists French Indochina – Vietnamese Communists organized by Moscow-trained Ho Chi Minh Most short-lived as they failed to build a secure base of support among the mass pop.