RI The Rise of Japan, 1851-1942 - Module 3

World War I • Japan became an ally of the Entente (France, Britain and Russia), finishing the war on the winning side. • At the Paris Peace Conference following the end of the war, Japan tried to include a clause on racial equality • However, this was rebuffed by the Western Powers. • Japan was also forced to give up the formerly German-controlled Chinese city of Shandong which it had conquered during the war. 1

THE WASHINGTON NAVAL TREATY Tonnage limits imposed by this treaty Country Capital ships Aircraft carriers British Empire 525,000 tons (533,000 tonnes) 135,000 tons (137,000 tonnes) United States 525,000 tons (533,000 tonnes) 135,000 tons (137,000 tonnes) Empire of Japan 315,000 tons (320,000 tonnes) 81,000 tons (82,000 tonnes) France 175,000 tons (178,000 tonnes) 60,000 tons (61,000 tonnes) Italy 175,000 tons (178,000 tonnes) 60,000 tons (61,000 tonnes) 2

America Britain Japan 5 5 3 • Size of Japan’s navy limited to 60% of the British Royal Navy or US Navy • Thus, Japan would be disadvantaged in any war against Britain or the US • Fed up, Japan gave notice that it would withdraw from the treaty in 1934 3

Japan’s road to World War II, 1931-1942 Why was Japan interested in colonising Southeast Asia? Why did Japan invade Singapore in 1942? 4

Big Problem #1: Overpopulation in Japan Rapid population growth in Japan 1870: 30 million 1937: 70 million This created problems for Japan: Food shortage: Need to import food from other countries. Lack of living space: Overseas expansion would provide more land for housing and to grow crops. 5

+New & Bigger Problem #2: The Great Depression, 1929 Fall in demand for Japanese products such as silk Value of Japanese exports fell 50% from 1929 to 1931 Japan’s economy is badly hurt by the Depression (US protectionist policies, trade declined) Further discredited the Japanese government after the humiliation of the Washington Naval Conference 6

Japan’s Solution: Japanese invasion of Manchuria, 1931 7

The Manchurian Incident, 1931 The Imperial Japanese Army invades Manchuria in response to “Chinese sabotage” Within 5 months, Japan conquered all of Manchuria  The League of Nations demanded that Japan withdraw The US Government protests against Japan’s conquest of Manchuria 8

The Second Sino- Japanese War, 1937- 1945 THE SECOND SINO-JAPANESE WAR, 1937 - 1945 9

 In July 1937, full-scale invasion  Initial rapid advance southward  Heavy Japanese casualties at Shanghai and Nanking  The Chinese Kuomintang(国民党) Government retreats west to carry on fighting, despite heavy losses and Japanese battlefield victories  Sheer size of China makes it difficult for Japan to force a surrender 10