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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 overcame 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