Section 3: Japan Builds an Empire 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