1. The Rise of a Militarist Japan

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

3. 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 – 73 mil
Great Depression – suffering of workers/farmers

4. 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.)
power treaty
Recognized the territorial integrity of China
Maintain Open Door Policy
Allowed to keep control of S. Manchuria
Problem- still need raw materials!

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.