1. Section 3: Japan Builds an Empire
Chapter 24
Section 3: Japan Builds an Empire

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. Signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact that condemned war & pledged to peacefully settle disagreements

6. 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

7. Some politicians enriched themselves by taking bribes from family owned companies

8. 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

9. Assassinated several politicians hoping the military would take over the government

10. 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 Japanese army in Manchuria took matters into their own hands

11. 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 Japanese troops seized all of Manchuria

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Japan needed the natural resources to carry on the war against China
Sept Japan allied itself with Germany & Italy through the Tripartite Pact
April Japan signed a neutrality pact with the Soviet Union