Download Conflicting Forces in Japan

Conflicting Forces in Japan
Chapter 12
Section 5
Japan (Land of Sushi)
Expansion of Japanese Economy
Japanese economy grew during World War I, based
on the export of goods to the Allies and increased
production
At this time, Japan also expanded its influence
throughout East Asia and sought further rights in
China
Additionally, Japan gained control of some former
German possessions in China after the war
Hirohito became emperor of Japan in 1926, and
during his reign, the country experienced both
success and tragedy
Japanese Emperor Hirohito
Democracy in Japan
In the 1920s, the Japanese government moved
toward greater democracy
All adult men gained the right to vote, regardless of
social class
Despite greater democratic freedoms, the zaibatsu, a
group of powerful business leaders, manipulated the
politicians
By donating to political parties, the zaibatsu were
able to push for policies that favored their interests
Discontent in Japan
Peasants and factory workers did not share in the
nation’s prosperity
Young Japanese rejected tradition and family
authority
There was tension between the government and the
military
Discontent in Japan
The Great Depression fed the discontent of the
military and the extreme nationalists, or
ultranationalists
They resented Western limits on the expansion of
Japan’s empire
Economic Crisis in Japan
As the economic crisis worsened, the ultranationalists
set their sights on Manchuria in northern China
In 1931, a group of Japanese army officers set
explosives to blow up railroad tracks in Manchuria
They blamed it on the Chinese and used it as an
excuse to invade
Manchuria Region of China
Economic Crisis in Japan
Without consulting government leaders, the military
conquered Manchuria
Politicians objected to the army’s actions, but the
people sided with the military
When the League of Nations condemned the
invasion, Japan withdrew from the organization
Power Increases in Japan
Militarists and ultranationalists increased their power
in the 1930s
Extremists killed some politicians and business
leaders who opposed expansion
To please the ultranationalists, the government
suppressed most democratic freedoms
Japan planned to take advantage of China’s civil war
and conquer the country
World War II
In 1939, however, World War II broke out in Europe
The fighting spread quickly to Asia
Earlier, Japan had formed an alliance with Germany
and Italy
In September, 1940, Japan’s leaders signed the
Tripartite Pact linking Germany, Italy, and Japan
together
Together, the three nations formed the Axis Powers
Powerpoint Questions
1. Who earned the right to vote?
2. Who became the Japanese emperor
in 1926?
3. Explain zaibatsu.
4. What groups experienced growing
tension among each other?
5. What were the extreme Japanese
nationalists called?
Powerpoint Questions
6. What area of China did Japan invade in
1931?
7. What side did the Japanese people support
with respect to the invasion of China?
8. Who condemned the invasion?
9. What was Japan’s military goal toward
China?
10. What three countries formed the Axis
Powers in World War II?
The End