Sec 3 Elect Hist- Militarist Japan Notes by RemoteSupport7960

MILITARIST JAPAN NOTES BACKSTORY 1853 – 1868 – Americans arrive in 1853- Opening of Japan. Meiji Restoration: Japan rapidly modernises and militarises to avoid colonisation like China (e.g. Century of humiliation)→ industrialised by early 1900s. 1894 – 1905 – Sino-Japanese War (1895) and Russo-Japanese War (1905) → Victory. Gains Korea, Taiwan, (some parts) Manchuria. Rising power and shocks West. Japan- wants seen as equal 1915 – WW1 period- 21 demands to China to extend more control. Consequence: Poor relations with China, seen as aggressive to West 1919 – Paris Peace Conference - Japan’s racial equality clause rejected → feels insulted, resentment at Western powers. 1920s – Taisho democracy. But still corruption and inequality, militarism ongoing, modernisation did not reflect rural areas→ growing public discontent. 1929 – Great Depression begins → Worldwide economic collapse. Suffer (no natural resources)- Rely on trade+ exports (demand dropped) → Growing discontent as civilian govt could not fix, unemployment, social instability 1931 – Manchurian Crisis: Staged bomb of railway at Mukden. Kwantung Army invades Manchuria without approval → weak civilian govt loses control, shows growing influence of military (acted independently, no consequences 1932 – League of Blood Incident: ultranationalists assassinate key business/political elites → weakens democracy, militarism rises . 1933 – LON condemns invasion of Manchuria. Japan leaves LON. 1936 – 26 Feb Incident: young army officers attempt coup "Showa Restoration" (restore power to emperor) → Fails but 2 PMs assassinated, and public sympathy leads to more military influence in govt. ASPECTS OF REGIME MILITARISM PROPAGANDA/CONTROL GENDER ROLES - Majority of Govt under military influence - Civilian leaders lost power → Military only answer directly to the Emperor - Ultranationalism - Japan as racially and culturally superior. Hostility especially towards Chinese - Aggressive Expansion: Need territory for resources (e.g. Manchuria, SEAsia), seen as liberating Asia from colonial rule “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere) - Bushido spirit: loyalty, obedience, never surrender until the end (e.g. Kamikaze suicide bombers) - State-controlled media - Newspapers, radio, film all used to promote state’s ideology - Emperor worship - Hirohito portrayed as divine god, students bow to picture of him, sing national anthem morning - Suppression of opposition - Secret police, Kempeitai to spy on public - Indoctrination of youths: In education. In occupied territories: Nipponisation of youths, encourage them support war effort - Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere - claimed to "liberate" Asia from West, seen in much propaganda material - Women’s role: Serve the nation by raising children, be housewives (Good wife, wise mother, “ryosai kenbo”. Although were asked into labour force in later years of war. Comfort Women system: Sexual slavery in occupied territories - Men’s role : Soldiers, serve duty for country by joining military Additional : Brutal torture and atrocities committed in invaded territories. (e.g. Rape of Nanking- human experimentation in Unit 731) AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION AND DECLINE 1937 – Marco Polo Bridge Incident (Japanese soldiers demand entry into China, gunfire exchanged) → Sino-Japanese war (WW2 in Asia). 1940 – Enters French Indochina for invasion (Motivation: SEAsia for resources, Greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere). 1941 – Yamamoto knew confrontation with US inevitable → Bomb Pearl Harbour (7 Dec) to distract them. But failed to bomb repair stations. Next day declare war on US and UK 1942 – Military advances invade rest of Asia for ex SEAsia for vital resources (oil, rubber, tin). Battle of Midway (June): Major naval defeat for Japan. Turning point where US has upper hand 1944 – Allies launch “island hopping” strategy, r ecapturing key territories→ Japan declines further. 1945 – Firebombing of Tokyo in February→ devastating- massive civilian casualties and destruction. 1945 – Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima (6 Aug) and Nagasaki (9 Aug) by US. If not, would’ve been Operation Downfall, proposed large-scale land invasion of Japan. Aug 8- Soviets declare war with Japan . Which led to surrender is debated upon. 1945 – Hirohito announces Japan’s surrender on Aug 15 → End of WW2 in Asia Pacific ***This is just a general overview.