Chapter 5 facist japan

Crisis and Crisis and ConflictConflict

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Authoritarian Regimes Authoritarian Regimes

— — Case Study: Case Study: Fascist JapanFascist Japan

An Enquiry Approach to Modern World An Enquiry Approach to Modern World

HistoryHistory

Secondary 3Secondary 3

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Crisis and Conflict: Fascist Japan Copyright 2006

What led to the failure of the democratic government in

Japan?

What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan?

Factors that contributed to the failure of democracy in Japan

Factors that assisted the rise of Fascist factions to gain control of Japan

Was the rise of Fascism in Was the rise of Fascism in Japan inevitable?Japan inevitable?

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The 1920s saw the spread of Fascist ideas around the The 1920s saw the spread of Fascist ideas around the world.world.

Fascism grew to be a popular alternative to democracy.Fascism grew to be a popular alternative to democracy. People began to lose confidence in democratic leaders People began to lose confidence in democratic leaders

when they saw that they were not able to handle the when they saw that they were not able to handle the economic problems that came after the 1930 Great economic problems that came after the 1930 Great Depression.Depression.

In Japan, Fascist ideas were strongly influenced by its In Japan, Fascist ideas were strongly influenced by its powerful military.powerful military.

Another idea advocated by the Japanese Army officers Another idea advocated by the Japanese Army officers was Japanese superiority over other Asians.was Japanese superiority over other Asians.

In a NutshellIn a Nutshell

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The term Fascism, was first used by Mussolini who The term Fascism, was first used by Mussolini who founded the Fascist movement in Italy, 1919.founded the Fascist movement in Italy, 1919.

Fascists believed that all individuals and groups in a Fascists believed that all individuals and groups in a nation should put aside their interests and look after nation should put aside their interests and look after the needs of the nation first.the needs of the nation first.

Power and violence were advocated by the Fascists. Power and violence were advocated by the Fascists. These seemed very attractive to young people and These seemed very attractive to young people and World War I veterans.World War I veterans.

Fascists also believed that a nation’s goal was to grow Fascists also believed that a nation’s goal was to grow strong and expand. People began to feel that Fascism strong and expand. People began to feel that Fascism gave them a sense of belonging to a great nation.gave them a sense of belonging to a great nation.

Events such as World War I and global unemployment Events such as World War I and global unemployment increased the popularity of Fascism.increased the popularity of Fascism.

The beginnings of FascismThe beginnings of Fascism

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What led to the What led to the failure of the failure of the democratic democratic

government in government in Japan?Japan?

The Diet’s The Diet’s limited powerlimited power

Corruption Corruption damaged damaged

democracy’s democracy’s reputationreputation

Democratic Democratic leaders failed leaders failed

to solve to solve economic economic problemsproblems

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The Diet’s limited power

The Diet/Parliament was set up in late 19th century.The Diet/Parliament was set up in late 19th century. Real power however remained in the hands of the Real power however remained in the hands of the

Emperor and Emperor and genro.genro. The Diet did not have the power to make decisions or The Diet did not have the power to make decisions or

policies. The members of the Diet did not even have policies. The members of the Diet did not even have control over the nation’s budget.control over the nation’s budget.

Furthermore the Diet could not control the ministers as Furthermore the Diet could not control the ministers as they were directly under the control of the Emperor.they were directly under the control of the Emperor.

Limited power of the Diet made it possible for the military Limited power of the Diet made it possible for the military faction to grow unchecked.faction to grow unchecked.

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Corruption among the politicians was common during the Corruption among the politicians was common during the 1920s.1920s.

In order to fund their election campaigns, many democratic In order to fund their election campaigns, many democratic leaders turned to zaibatsus, or powerful and wealthy leaders turned to zaibatsus, or powerful and wealthy Japanese companiesJapanese companies,, for sponsorship. for sponsorship.

These zaibatsus were able to influence the policies of the These zaibatsus were able to influence the policies of the government.government.

Such close ties led to many rumours of corruption within the Such close ties led to many rumours of corruption within the government.government.

The Diet was hence unable to gain support of ordinary The Diet was hence unable to gain support of ordinary Japanese due to its negative image.Japanese due to its negative image.

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Corruption damaged democracy’s reputation

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Democratic leaders failed to solve economic problems

Democratic leaders failed to solve economic

problems

The farmers’ difficult living conditions

Trade imbalance Great Depression

The workers’ difficult working conditions

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Less than half of the farmers had less than one and one Less than half of the farmers had less than one and one quarter acres of land.quarter acres of land.

Most of the land belonged to landlords who rented out Most of the land belonged to landlords who rented out the land at exorbitant prices.the land at exorbitant prices.

Between 1920 and 1929, rice prices fell sharply, further Between 1920 and 1929, rice prices fell sharply, further reducing farmers’ earnings.reducing farmers’ earnings.

Disputes between tenant farmers and landlords were Disputes between tenant farmers and landlords were common throughout the 1930s.common throughout the 1930s.

The farmers’ difficult living The farmers’ difficult living conditionsconditions

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The workers in Japan were unhappy with the democratic The workers in Japan were unhappy with the democratic government for lack of improvement in their working and government for lack of improvement in their working and living conditions.living conditions.

Workers lived in crowded, miserable conditions.Workers lived in crowded, miserable conditions. Many joined trade unions, some of which were supported Many joined trade unions, some of which were supported

by Communists.by Communists. Frequent strikes were common.Frequent strikes were common. Such activities affected the government’s stability.Such activities affected the government’s stability.

The workers’ difficult working The workers’ difficult working conditionsconditions

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While Japan’s economy was growing, there was a trade While Japan’s economy was growing, there was a trade imbalance.imbalance.

Japan’s exports were electronic products, china, Japan’s exports were electronic products, china, porcelain and textiles.porcelain and textiles.

However Japan needed many raw materials for their However Japan needed many raw materials for their major industries.major industries.

Most of the raw materials had to be imported.Most of the raw materials had to be imported. The trade imbalance grew further when Japan had to The trade imbalance grew further when Japan had to

import more food to feed its growing population.import more food to feed its growing population.

Trade imbalanceTrade imbalance

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The Wall Street Crash in the USA triggered a world wide The Wall Street Crash in the USA triggered a world wide economic depression.economic depression.

It also led to a fall in Japan’s exports due to protectionism It also led to a fall in Japan’s exports due to protectionism (especially in the USA).(especially in the USA).

Due to protectionism, countries such as the USA imposed Due to protectionism, countries such as the USA imposed high taxes on Japanese goods like silk.high taxes on Japanese goods like silk.

This led to a fall in demand for silk. Silk farmers in Japan This led to a fall in demand for silk. Silk farmers in Japan suffered the most.suffered the most.

As economic problems mounted, many farmers joined the As economic problems mounted, many farmers joined the Army or patriotic societies.Army or patriotic societies.

Great Depression 1929Great Depression 1929

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CrashLoss of paper

profits Less demand

Less building of factories and homes

Less bankcredit

Less money in circulation

Less employment

Less production

Lower prices

Less employment Depression

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Great Depression 1929Great Depression 1929

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What led to the rise What led to the rise of Fascism in Japan?of Fascism in Japan?

External External reasonsreasons

Internal Internal reasonsreasons

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Since 1853, American businessmen had taken interest in Since 1853, American businessmen had taken interest in doing business in the Asia-Pacific region.doing business in the Asia-Pacific region.

The USA took control of many tiny islands and used The USA took control of many tiny islands and used them as bases for American trading ships. them as bases for American trading ships.

By 1930s, American control spread to the Philippines.By 1930s, American control spread to the Philippines.

Japanese militarists believed that the economic and Japanese militarists believed that the economic and military interests of Japan and the USA would run into military interests of Japan and the USA would run into conflict over who would control this region.conflict over who would control this region.

American expansion in Asia-Pacific American expansion in Asia-Pacific region threatened Japanese plans region threatened Japanese plans

to control the regionto control the region

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Japan had fought alongside the Allies during World War I.Japan had fought alongside the Allies during World War I.

During the Paris Peace Conference, Japanese During the Paris Peace Conference, Japanese representatives made a request that the League of representatives made a request that the League of Nations formally recognise that all races were equal.Nations formally recognise that all races were equal.

This was however rejected making Japan feel This was however rejected making Japan feel discriminated. discriminated.

Paris Peace Conference, 1919Paris Peace Conference, 1919

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This was held between 1921 and 1922.This was held between 1921 and 1922. The Conference aimed to reduce naval forces of major The Conference aimed to reduce naval forces of major

naval powers.naval powers. The ratio of warships that were allowed for Japan was The ratio of warships that were allowed for Japan was

lower than that of the USA and Britain.lower than that of the USA and Britain. Many Japanese felt that this was an unfair treaty aiming Many Japanese felt that this was an unfair treaty aiming

at restricting Japanese power.at restricting Japanese power.

Washington Naval Conference, Washington Naval Conference, 1921-19221921-1922

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This was held in 1930.This was held in 1930. Many Japanese were unhappy that PM Hamaguchi Many Japanese were unhappy that PM Hamaguchi

Osachi agreed to further limit the number of Japan’s Osachi agreed to further limit the number of Japan’s battleships as he wanted to improve ties with China.battleships as he wanted to improve ties with China.

In addition to that, he tried to solve the problems of the In addition to that, he tried to solve the problems of the Great Depression by reducing spending on the Army.Great Depression by reducing spending on the Army.

He was accused of being too soft and trying to betray He was accused of being too soft and trying to betray Japan.Japan.

London Disarmament Conference, London Disarmament Conference, 19301930

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In 1924, the USA tried to prevent Asian immigration as part of In 1924, the USA tried to prevent Asian immigration as part of its isolationist and protectionist policies.its isolationist and protectionist policies.

Asian immigrants could not become citizens even if they had Asian immigrants could not become citizens even if they had stayed in the USA for a long time. stayed in the USA for a long time.

In California, the California Alien Law ordered that all Asian In California, the California Alien Law ordered that all Asian children attend schools separate from the Americans.children attend schools separate from the Americans.

Such laws angered the Japanese who formed the main bulk of Such laws angered the Japanese who formed the main bulk of the immigrants.the immigrants.

They saw such laws as regarding them as being inferior.They saw such laws as regarding them as being inferior. This combined with other factors such as the Great This combined with other factors such as the Great

Depression, made many Japanese turn away from democracy.Depression, made many Japanese turn away from democracy.

Immigration laws in the USA in Immigration laws in the USA in the mid-1920sthe mid-1920s

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Since 1894, China had been weakened by many internal Since 1894, China had been weakened by many internal struggles.struggles.

This however changed in 1927 when the KMT and CCP This however changed in 1927 when the KMT and CCP formed an alliance to eliminate all internal enemies like the formed an alliance to eliminate all internal enemies like the Chinese warlords.Chinese warlords.

General Chiang gained control of China and demanded an General Chiang gained control of China and demanded an end to all concessions that foreign powers had enjoyed in end to all concessions that foreign powers had enjoyed in China.China.

Frequent strikes and boycotts of Japanese goods hurt Frequent strikes and boycotts of Japanese goods hurt Japan’s economy.Japan’s economy.

The Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria proposed that The Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria proposed that Japan occupy Manchuria and North China before anti-Japan occupy Manchuria and North China before anti-Japanese feelings became too strong.Japanese feelings became too strong.

This was supported by many Japanese.This was supported by many Japanese.

Resurgence of Chinese Resurgence of Chinese nationalismnationalism

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From the 1930s, the education system of Japan From the 1930s, the education system of Japan emphasised nationalism, loyalty to the Emperor, self-emphasised nationalism, loyalty to the Emperor, self-sacrifice and obedience.sacrifice and obedience.

Japan’s response to the Great Depression and foreign Japan’s response to the Great Depression and foreign opposition to Japan’s growing empire was the opposition to Japan’s growing empire was the inauguration of the Showa Restoration.inauguration of the Showa Restoration.

This movement characterised all things Western in a This movement characterised all things Western in a negative light and stressed the glorification of the negative light and stressed the glorification of the Emperor.Emperor.

This movement produced youths who were blindly loyal This movement produced youths who were blindly loyal to the nation.to the nation.

This further developed Japan’s militarism.This further developed Japan’s militarism.

The Showa RestorationThe Showa Restoration

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Patriotic societies had been growing since the 1920s in Patriotic societies had been growing since the 1920s in Japan. Japan.

Many of them had close connections with the Army.Many of them had close connections with the Army.

They were extremely nationalistic and wanted Japan to They were extremely nationalistic and wanted Japan to adopt an aggressive foreign policy.adopt an aggressive foreign policy.

Some societies such as the Black Dragon Society wanted Some societies such as the Black Dragon Society wanted to eliminate democratic leaders so that Japan would to eliminate democratic leaders so that Japan would adopt a more aggressive foreign policy.adopt a more aggressive foreign policy.

Patriotic societiesPatriotic societies

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The Army and Navy had great influence over the The Army and Navy had great influence over the government.government.

Since the late 19th century, they had been pressing the Since the late 19th century, they had been pressing the government to acquire more colonies like what the government to acquire more colonies like what the Western nations were doing.Western nations were doing.

Military successes in Manchuria and parts of China made Military successes in Manchuria and parts of China made them even more ambitious to pursue an expansionist them even more ambitious to pursue an expansionist policy.policy.

Leaders who did not support the military ambitions were Leaders who did not support the military ambitions were often the subjects of assassination attempts.often the subjects of assassination attempts.

Army’s and Navy’s great influence Army’s and Navy’s great influence over the governmentover the government

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1894–1895 : Sino-Japanese War. Japan gained Taiwan and 1894–1895 : Sino-Japanese War. Japan gained Taiwan and parts of the Liaodung Peninsula.parts of the Liaodung Peninsula.

1904–1905 : Russo-Japanese War. Japan was the first Asian 1904–1905 : Russo-Japanese War. Japan was the first Asian power to defeat an European power.power to defeat an European power.

1905 : Japan gain rights to build a railway in Manchuria. It also 1905 : Japan gain rights to build a railway in Manchuria. It also gained the southern Sakhalin Island.gained the southern Sakhalin Island.

1910 : Japan gained full control of Korea.1910 : Japan gained full control of Korea. 1914 : Japan joined the Allies in World War I and occupied 1914 : Japan joined the Allies in World War I and occupied

German territories in Shantung and parts of the Pacific German territories in Shantung and parts of the Pacific Islands.Islands.

1915 : Japan issued 21 Demands on China.1915 : Japan issued 21 Demands on China.BackBack

Army’s and Navy’s great influence Army’s and Navy’s great influence over the governmentover the government

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The considerable successes of the military made manyThe considerable successes of the military made manypeople in Japan think that supporting the military would people in Japan think that supporting the military would solve many of Japan’s economic problems.solve many of Japan’s economic problems.

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In 1930, the Army brought down Hamaguchi’s In 1930, the Army brought down Hamaguchi’s government. He was shot and wounded. He died a year government. He was shot and wounded. He died a year later of the wounds. later of the wounds.

Hamaguchi’s assasins were left off with a light jail Hamaguchi’s assasins were left off with a light jail sentence.sentence.

In May 1932, the Army assassinated PM Inukai for In May 1932, the Army assassinated PM Inukai for criticising the Kwantung Army’s actions in Manchuria.criticising the Kwantung Army’s actions in Manchuria.

Succeeding PMs either felt pressured to support the Succeeding PMs either felt pressured to support the Kwantung Army or were already strong supporters Kwantung Army or were already strong supporters themselves especially after the Mukden Incident in 1932.themselves especially after the Mukden Incident in 1932.

Military takeover of JapanMilitary takeover of Japan

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Impact of growth of Fascism in Japan on the World

For Germany and ItalyJapan started to forge closerties with these Fascist States.

For JapanFor the next 13 years, Japanbecame more aggressive in its foreignpolicy. It disregarded the WashingtonNaval Conference and expandedits Navy.

For the USA, Britain and FranceThese countries were toopreoccupied with the GreatDepression.Furthermore they had a commonenemy in the Communists.They were hence generally morecordial.

For ChinaJapan became bolder towardsChina and took steps to expandFurther into China.

Most importantly, it was the growth of Fascism in Japan that led Japan into World War II.

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What led to the rise of Fascism

in Japan?

Impact of economic problemsImpact of economic problems• Problems at the end of WorldProblems at the end of World War IWar I• 1929 Great Depression1929 Great Depression

Fear of Chinese NationalismFear of Chinese Nationalism• Anti-Japanese protestsAnti-Japanese protests

Unhappiness with former Allied PowersUnhappiness with former Allied Powers• 1919 Versailles Treaty1919 Versailles Treaty• 1921–1922 Washington Naval Conference1921–1922 Washington Naval Conference• Mid-1920s immigration issuesMid-1920s immigration issues

Unhappiness with JapaneseUnhappiness with Japaneseleaders who wanted friendly leaders who wanted friendly ties with former Allied Powersties with former Allied Powers

Failure of democratic governmentFailure of democratic government• Weakness of the Japanese Weakness of the Japanese parliamentparliament• Corrupt politiciansCorrupt politicians• Lacked support of workers Lacked support of workers and farmersand farmers

SummarySummary

Chapter 5 facist japan

Education

fascist japan copyright

fascist japancopyright

fascist movement

japancontrol of japan

spread of fascist ideas

silk farmers

rise of fascism

workers difficultthe