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: Nipponisat