RI Y2 Rise of Japan Worksheet

1 RAFFLES INSTITUTION RAFFLES PROGRAMME YEAR 2 HISTORY RISE OF JAPAN Name: __________________________ ( ) Class: _____ Date: __________ The Rise of Japan: Why did Japan pursue an expansionist policy in the first-half of the 20th century? Section A: Japan in the 19th Century – Changes in Political Structures & Effects on Society Tokugawa Isolationist Era → Forced Opening of Japan (1854) What were some tangible outcomes? -Forced opening of Japan for trade, as well as the signing of unequal treaties with the West -Downfall of the Shogunate and the creation of a new centralised government with the emperor as its symbolic head. (long-run) How did Japan feel as a result? - Fear & Humiliation - Desired to be respected by the West - Unhappy with the Tokugawa govt Meiji Restoration (1868) What were some tangible outcomes? -Abolishment of feudal system of govt & social hierarchy -Adoption of Western ideas, practices & technology (Western style system of govt., transformed into industrial society, introduction of conscription, modernisation of Japan’s armed forces - Industrial and economic modernisation How did Japan feel as a result? - Empowered, hopeful Furthermore, Japan was facing growing domestic pressures to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, as well as obtain a steady supply of raw materials not found in Japan (e.g. coal and magnesium) to support its industrialisation efforts following the Meiji Restoration. Section B: Japan into the 20th Century Part 1 First Sino-Japanese War (1895) Russo-Japanese War (1904) • Fought over the control of Korea, a Chinese puppet state. • Japan’s superior military training, technology and strategy secured its resounding victory against China. • Treaty of Shinonoseki (23 April 1895): o Liaodong Peninsula and Taiwan awarded to Japan o Korea granted independence • BUT, Russia, France and Germany forced Japan to give up the _the Liaodong Peninsula in exchange for monetary compensation from the Chinese_ • Japan’s expansion into the resource-rich Manchuria resulted in conflict with Russia, which interpreted it as a threat to its influence in the Far East. • Similarly, Japan secured its victory through superior military training, technology and strategy. • Treaty of Portsmouth (5 September 1905): o Russia recognised Korea as Japanese sphere of influence o Removal of Russian forces in Manchuria o Japan granted Port Arthur and Sakhalin How do you think the Japanese felt after the war? Why? Ans: More confident due to their victory but frustrated/angered by the Western powers ganging up against it to deprive it of its spoils of war. How did they view their Asian counterparts? Ans. Saw the Chinese as inferior, uncivilised and possibly even barbaric and subhuman. How do you think the Japanese felt after the war? Why? Ans. Tremendous upsurge in national pride and self - confidence of the Japanese people; Now saw itself as a first -class power, on par with the West How did they view their Western counterparts? Ans. The equal of the Japanese. Traditional view of the West as being more superior was demystified.

2 Japan’s unprecedented victories against both Asian and Western powers resulted in a growing belief in __itself and the military________: • Belief in the need for a strong _______ military_____ and preparedness to use it to advance the nation’s interests (e.g. wars). • Predominance of _____armed forces____________ in government administration. These victories also strengthened the Japanese’s self -perception of their superiority against their neighbouring Asian countries and equality with the Western powers. But did the latter view Japan in the same way? __No___. Part 2: There were two historical developments following the Russo -Japanese War which embodied the West’s attitudes towards Japan: Post-WWI Paris Peace Conference (1918) Washington Naval Treaty (1922) • Japan allied with the French, British and Russian forces and won WWI on the winning side • However, at the Paris Peace Conference, their proposal to include a clause on _____racial equality________________ was rejected by the Western Powers. What does this suggest about how the Westerners viewed Japan? - Still viewed Japan as a lesser power, the Japanese as inferior to the West How would Japan feel as a result of this development? - Prejudiced and discriminated against • Treaty signed among major powers that won WWI to prevent future arms race by limiting ____tonnage / navy_______________ • Japan’s tonnage limits were reduced. Ratio of US:UK:Japan = 5:5:3 (i.e. 60% of US/UK’s navy) How is this arrangement fair and reasonable for Japan? Why? - No. Japan was disadvantaged against US and UK. At risk if under attack by these powers.. How would Japan feel as a result of this development? - Felt unfairly treated. Discriminated against. Section C: Japan’s Road to WWII Why was Japan interested to colonise Southeast Asia? Why Singapore? Other than the need to gain the West’s recognition as equals, Japan was facing several problems domestically and externally, pressing for a solution that would mitigate them effectively: Domestic Problems External Threats i. Over-population ii. Great Depression Resurgent Chinese influe nce and control over Manchuria

3 Japan’s solution? Invasion of Manchuria (1931) • The Imperial Japanese Army invades Manchuria in response to “Chinese sabotage” • Within 5 months Japan conquered all of Manchuria ➔ Reaffirmed their belief in militarism and how war is an effective means to an end Section D Second Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945 • In July 1937, Japan launches a full-scale invasion of China. This event is generally seen by historians as the beginning of the Second World War in Asia. • Initial rapid advance southwards • Heavy Japanese casualties at Shanghai and Nanking • The Chinese Kuomintang (国民党 KMT) 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 The Western Response: - US Neutrality Act: forbid US arms sale to warring parties o But US President Roosevelt allows for arms to be sold to China, but not Japan o US “moral embargo” on aircraft sales to Japan in 1938 - 1940, France falls to Germany. Japan moves its army into French Indochina (now Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) - In response, the US bans the export of machine tools, aviation fuel and scrap metal to Japan - July 1941, the US freezes all Japanese assets - August 1941, US bans all oil exports to Japan - These bans will be lifted only if Japan completely withdraws from China Was the US response to Japan’s actions fair? Why? Ans. Yes and No. No – US was obviously taking the side of China at the expense of Japan in spite of its law . Yes – US was trying to protect China and Indochina from falling into Japanese hands. How would the Japanese feel? What do you think they would be inclined to do in response? Ans. Feel angered. Cornered and needed to depend on themselves for resources. Thus, look towards other sources for supply of raw materials. By 1941, the war with China has proved to be a huge drain on Japan’s resources • Shortages of oil, tin, iron ore and rubber are particularly acute. • Without these strategic resources, it will be impossible for Japan to carry on fighting in China forever. • However, to withdraw from China would be a major humiliation for the Japanese government.

4 Why did Japan invade Southeast Asia in 1941? 1. Dire need for raw materials to finish the war in China 2. Belief that war was the only way for Japan to become a great power in the face of a consistently condescending attitude of the Western Powers towards Japan 3. Str