C3: Case Study of Militarist Japan (2261 ELECTIVE HISTORY)

CHAPTER 3: RISE OF MILITARISM IN JAPAN Reasons for the Rise of Militarism in Japan How did this lead to militarism by 1932? > UNDERLYING / LONG-TERM - Flaws in Japanese democracy - Resentment of the West - Imperialism to solve economic problems — HOW: - Ensured that the military presence remained in the government. - The Japanese wanted to stand up to the Western Powers, and they were more likely to use military means to prove they were equals. > SHORT-TERM - Weak imperial leadership - Economic crises (Banking Crisis and Great Depression) - Resentment with politicians - Powerful monopolies in the zaibatsu - Worsening income inequality — HOW: - Emperor was unable to check the influence of the military - Economic crisis damaged the credibility of the civilian politicians - The Japanese began to support the militarists who proposed annexation of foreign lands to solve Japan’s economic problems. > TRIGGER - Emboldened military (Zhang Zuolin, Mukden, League of Blood) - Rise of ultranationalism —- HOW: - The militarists were emboldened to resort to violent methods because they were gaining a lot of support from the Japanese people. - They got rid of the democratic politicians who stood in their way, allowing them to finally come to power by 1932.

LORE JAPAN FROM 1600S - The islands that constitute modern Japan are ruled by the shogunate (1185 to 1868). - The shogun is a military leader, who borrows the legitimacy (the right) of the emperor to rule. - There is no national identity of Japan at this stage (no concept of Japan as a nation). Political identity surrounds the feudal lord. - Japanese society is a rigid social hierarchy determined at birth. - Compared to previous shogun rule, the Tokugawa period is relatively peaceful. - One way it accomplishes this is by a policy of isolationism = no interaction with foreign countries. - However, this peace comes at a price as the peasants suffer due to limited land, resources and trade opportunities. - Despite their high standing in society, samurai are also restless as, they are not able to contribute. AMERICAN ARRIVAL (1854) - American Commodore Matthew Perry arrives in Tokyo Bay to demand Japan trades with the West. - The shogunate leaders agree. Why did they do so? UNEQUAL TREATIES (1858) - The result is known as the Unequal Treaties Regime in place from 1858. - The shogunate cannot set its own trade tariffs (tax on traded goods), foreigners do not have to obey local law (a concept called extraterritoriality). - The country is not seen as an equal member of international society. MEIJI RESTORATION (1868) - A coup (sudden, violent and unlawful seizure of power) by middle-ranking samurai removes the shogun and restores the Emperor to power. - Emperor establishes the Charter Oath in April which: - Establishes parliament; - Involves all classes in the government; - Promotes social mobility; - Embraces laws rather than superstitious practices; - Seeks knowledge from around the world for Japan - It adopts the motto, Fukoku Kyohei (rich country, strong army).

MODERNISING MEIJI JAPAN SOME CHANGES TO SOCIETY 1. Rapid wealth growth in cities like Edo 2. Daimyo surrendered lands to state 3. Building modern infrastructure 4. Trade with western economies 5. Taxation by central government 6. Social mobility – merit rather than birth Changes only benefited a limited group such as some samurai who could transition to the bureaucracy. Does not benefit the lower classes. IMPACT ON SOCIETY - Pts 1 to 5: Japan grew rich and prosperous very quickly. It could generate new wealth through trade and taxation. Its cities had the modern infrastructure to encourage further investment. // However, this wealth was concentrated in the cities and did not pass on to the peasantry. - Created a new imagination of a unified Japan, desire to see Japan prosper and compete with western powers as an imperial power. THE MEIJI RESTORATION - In Feb 1889, Japan becomes a constitutional monarchy. Emperor remains head of state but governs by the laws/powers of the constitution. - But, this government had two power centres – the civilians and military. - The civilian cabinet led by the Prime Minister controlled functions of government such as foreign policy and education. - The cabinet also consisted Ministers for the Army and Navy. - But, the Ministers for Army and Navy reported directly to the Emperor. - Furthermore, the military could veto any cabinet decisions. - This was designed to accommodate the transition from military to civilian rule. - At this early stage of Japan’s democracy, only land-owning men aged above 25 are allowed to vote. Later in 1925, this is expanded to all men aged above 25. - Women are not allowed to vote till after WWII. FIRST SINO-JAPAN WAR, 1894 - China and Japan fought a war for 8 months over the influence of Korea. - With its modern army and navy, Japan wins almost every battle. Qing China is completely embarrassed. - The Treaty of Shimonoseki (Apr 1895) results in: - Korea moving to the Japanese sphere of influence; - Taiwan and Liaodong Peninsular ceded to Japan;

- China required to pay 7.5M kilograms of silver to Japan. - The war is very popular with the Japanese people who want to see Japan as a great imperial power. HYPOCRISY OF THE WESTERN POWERS - The Triple Intervention (Apr 1895) - Russia, with France and Germany, demands Japan withdraw from the Liaodong Peninsula. Britain and America are silent. - Japan is unwilling to fight three European powers and agrees to withdraw. - In 1898, Russia signs a 25-year treaty with China to lease Port Arthur in the Liaodong Peninsula. - Japan is outraged at the West’s hypocrisy. RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR, 1904 - Imperial tensions between Japan and Russia continued after 1898. - Japan was prepared to cede control of Manchuria if Russia recognised Japan’s right to control Korea. Russia refused. - Japan carried out a surprise attack on Port Arthur (Manchuria) in Feb 1904. It wins by Sep 1905. - Russia is humiliated and returns the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. The Kwantung Army is formed to defend the peninsular. - Russia also recognises right to control Korea. Japan fully annexes Korea in 1910. JAPAN ON THE WORLD STAGE - The 1905 Russo-Japanese War was the first time an Asian country had defeated a European country. - However, the Japanese public was unhappy with the negotiations as they felt it was too lenient on Russia. - They were unhappy that the politicians had not been able to extract monetary rewards – like after the 1894 Sino-Japanese War. - Protests resulted in the Hibiya Incendiary Incident (1905) which killed 17 people. DEATH OF EMPEROR MEIJI - On 30 Jul 1912, the Meiji Emperor dies of stomach cancer. - His reign had brought about great changes in Japan. - He is replaced by his son Yoshihito, later known as the Taisho Emper