Section 3: Japan Builds an Empire

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Chapter 24

• Section 3 Japan Builds an Empire

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• 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

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• 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

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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)

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• Signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact that condemned war
  pledged to peacefully settle disagreements

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Democracy in Crisis

• 1920s- recession/ 1930s 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

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• Some politicians enriched themselves by taking
  bribes from family owned companies

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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

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• Assassinated several politicians hoping the
  military would take over the government

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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

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• 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

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• Japan announced that Manchuria was now the
  independent state of Manchukuo under their
  protection
• Puppet state with PU-I as head of state
• US GB protested that Japan broke the
  Kellogg-Briand Pact, but they did not stop the
  Japanese aggression

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• 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

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• 1936- uprising by junior officers resulted in the
  murder of high government officials
• Uprising failed but gave military more power
• Japans military leaders never seized control of
  the government, but had a lot of influence in
  foreign policy

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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

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• Japans superior weapons over- came Chinas
  manpower advantage
• US others condemned Japans actions
• Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts that
  prevented the US from becoming involved in
  foreign conflicts

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• 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

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Looking Beyond China

• 1940 Japans 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

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• 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