1. Japan Builds an Empire
WWII notes

2. During WWI Japan joined the Allies
Conquered several areas in the pacific
After the war they began a parliamentary system and increased the number of people who could vote
Helped found the League of Nations
Pledged to solve all disagreements peacefully (Kellogg-Briand Pact)

3. Manchurian Incident Japan took over Manchuria because…
Needed land and resources for its growing population
Claimed that Chinese soldiers tried to blow up a railway line
Manchuria was now the independent sate of Manchukuo, under Japanese protection
Became a puppet state

4. Manchurian Incident
League of Nations ordered Japan to give up Manchukuo
Japan refuses and withdraws from the League of Nations
This incident increased the power of the Japanese army
Radicals wanted complete control so they assassinated the prime minister
An uprising in 1936 led to murder of government officials
Civilian politicians feared for their lives so they did not criticize the military
Military gains complete control of government and uses Manchuria as a base for further expansion in Asia

5. War against China
Japan wanted to expand and looked toward Beijing and Tianjing
Japan’s superior weapons were able to beat the size of China’s army
Japan’s planed bombed cities
“Rape of Nanjing”- Japanese soldiers brutalized or killed at least 100,000 citizens
US and other nations spoke out against Japan and international aggression
“the epidemic of world lawlessness is spreading”-FDR

6. War Against China
Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts to keep US out of foreign conflicts
Soviets also concerned and gave arms, military advisors, and war planes to China
Britain sent supplies through the Burma Road
By 1939 the war with China reached a stalemate
Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere- Statement from the prime minister that they would expand territory to Dutch East Indies
Declared that they would liberate Asia from European control
But really wanted natural resources to continue war with China
In 1940 Japan allied with Germany and Italy through the Tripartite Pact