BackgroundMeiji Restoration 1868-end the rule of Tokugawa Shogunate-power was in hands of Oligarchs-started the Meiji Modernization 1868

Meiji Modernization 1868-slogans: “Rich country, Strong Army”,“Colonization and Industry” & “Civilization and Enlightenment”-carried out reforms-constitutional,Economic, education, military, legal reforms-very successful-Japan as “the Britain in The East”

1. A constitutional monarchy mixed with Japanese traditions•Emperor•Army & navy•Genro•The Privy Council•Diet-House of Peers & House ofRepresentatives•Prime minister & Cabinet

The Meiji Constitution 1889-Ito Hirobumi & mission-Prussian model with monarchy as theFocus-practised until 1945-[study the chart on p.197]

Comment on Meiji Constitution:-many shortcomings!

1. Emperor enjoyed too much power 2. Genro (elder statesmen) retained controlOver policies through giving advice toEmperor.

3. Diet was powerless. The House of PeersWas dominated by genros. 4. There was limited suffrage (2% only men paying taxCould vote)5. The prime minister was responsible toThe emperorSuperficially democratic & gave riseTo crises in 1912-3.

The Taisho Political Crisis 1912-3

Background:-rise of middle educated class-ideas of liberty and democracy popular-”Organic Theory” & “Theory of UniversalManhood Suffrage” emerged

Organic Theory:-the emperor was an organ-government should be responsible to that Organ, but the government responsibleTo the citizens.

Theory of Universal Manhood Suffrage:-Universal Suffrage League-general election to the cabinet-vetoed by House of Peers (Genro) & the League was dismantled in 1921.

The Crisis-Taisho became the new emperor-the prime minister rejected the military Ministry’s request for increased militarySpending.-Army minister resigned, prime ministerResigned & new cabinet dissolved.-Katsura Taro (warlord) was appointed As the New prime minister and formed a New Cabinet.

Opposition to Katsura-public & political parties & “MovementTo Protect Constitutional Government”Called Katsura to resign.-Katsura urged Taisho to issue an edictTo suppress the opposition.-the Diet condemned Katsura and wasSuspended.-When the Diet reopened, 6000 people Supported the Diet. Katsura dissolved The Diet.

-The Diet cast “non-confidence” voteAgainst the prime minister.-Unable to pacify the mass, Katsura Resigned and his cabinet dissolved.

Significance of Taisho Crisis:1. First time the prime ministerAnd cabinet was overthrown by mass->Saw the importance of mass support to theCabinet.2. Saw the importance of army->affect theCabinet without its support. rise Of army’political status and rise of Militarism in Japan in the 1930s.

2. Rise of political parties-industrialization-> industrialists & professionals, middle class & intellectualsdiscontented with fake democracy-many oligarchs died -world democratic trend-Hara Kei the first civilian prime ministerresponsible for the Diet.-1920s, party rule

3. Foreign policies & expansions-for raw materials & overseas market-not very aggressive-1900-Allied Expedition, 1902-Anglo-Japanese Alliance, 1904-Russo-JapaneseWar, 1910-colonized Korea-1914-WWI-Shandong

The Anglo Japanese Alliance 1902

Motives of Japan:1. Revenge [Liaodong] after the “Triple Intervention”in 1895 (Sino-Japanese War)2. Conflict with / Threat from Russia in Korea and Manchuria3. Strengthened her power against RussiaIn the future.

Motives of Britain:1. Needed an ally to protect her interestIn China and to check Russia in the FarEast.2. Found being isolated in Europe [Triple Entente & Triple Alliance 1897]3. Challenge from Germany

Significance of the Alliance:To Britain:1. Ended her isolation policy 2. Got an ally

To Japan:1. Dared to challenge Russia with strongBacking->sped up Russo-Japanese War.2. Raised Japan’s international status[first alliance between an Asia and A European country]

The Russo-Japanese War 1904-5Events leading to the war

1. The Russian Expansion of Manchuria-endangered the interest of Japan

2. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance 19023. Battle of Tsushima Straits

Treaty of Portsmouth-no indemnity was paid-signed with the mediation of Roosevelt-p.204

Significance:1. Impact on Japan—rising status2. Impact on Russia—great humiliation- 1905 Russian Revolution3. Impact on China—suffered most4. Impact on Korea---became independent more likely under Japan’s conquest

The First World War 1914

-an ally of Britain

-consolidated her world power status

-occupied the German base in Shandong [Jiaozhou Bay]/ Act to revenge on Germany in Triple Intervention in 1895.

The Twenty One Demands 1915

-with Yuan Shikai

-5 groups (notes)

-Britain & US protested->Japan deleted 5th group.

-Yuan accepted in return for Japan’s support to

his monarchical Movement

-Japan replaced Britain as the most influential

power in China.

Group 1: transfer of German rights in Shandong to JapanGroup 2: special interests in ManchuriaAnd MongoliaGroup 3: Mining rights in ChangjiangValleyGroup 4: no cession or lease of ChineseCoastal territories to any powerGroup 5: Japanese interference into China’s internal affairs

Secret Alliances with other powers 1916-7To keep Japan on the side of TripleEntente1. Russia recognized 21 Demands2. Britain & France recognized her interestsIn Shandong and in ex-German colonies3. US signed Lansing Ishii Agreement ,Not to oppose Japanese special claimsIn China

Paris Peace Conference 1919

Significance on Japan’s diplomatic status

1. The powers agreed to transfer theRights in Shandong to Japan. The ex GermanPacific Island became the mandated territoryOf the League of Nations, under the control of Japan.

2. She became a respected member of International community. Japan wasRecognized as one of the permanent Members of the League.

Washington Conference 1921Why?-settle the problem in East Asia-develop a new order of peace in East Asia-deal with the Shandong problem-set up a new balance of power-end the Japanese-American naval arms race-terminate the Anglo-Japanese Alliance

Four Power Pact (text)

Five Power Pact

Nine Power Pact

Result:-limit the number and tonnage of its capital ships-observe the open-door policy of the US on China-not to renew the Anglo-Japanese Alliance-agreed to respect the integrity of China and Withdraw troops from Shandong.

Impact on Japan-Her expansion was temporarily checked-attack on the “weak-kneed” diplomatic policy-paved for the rise of militarist government

Think About?What do you think of the condition of The following in early 20th century:1. Freedom 2. Freedom of women3. Education standard 4. Urbanization5. Workers’ condition

Background:1. No class division [shogun-daimyo-Peasants-artisans-merchants]2. Highest rate of literacy->middleEducated class3. Rising status of women4. Urge for democracy

C. Social Conditions1. A society of limited freedom-”Peace Preservation Law” to suppressany ideas that threatened the reign of the emperor.

2. Higher education standard in Asia-1907, 6 years of education-school system of primary, secondaryand universities.

3. Rapid urbanization and great differences between cities and villages-big industrial cities, e.g Yokohama,Nagoya, Osaka, etc.

4. Poor livelihood and social unrest-workers (cotton mill) & tenant peasants(land tax 4%-17.5% in R-J War time)

Examples of Social Movements

The Rice Riot 1918-government’s policy favoured Zaibatsu-mass protested against the increase in the Price of rice-showed the power of mass

The Labour Organization-Suzuki Bunji, Christian socialist formed“Friendly Society” in 1921, advocatingHarmonious relationships between Employers and employees.-By 1918, number of members rose to 30000.

-after 1919, more labour organizationsRose.-the capitalists and government suppressedThem-they became more radical.-”Friendly Society” was split into two factionsAnd renamed as “Japan Federation of Labour” in 1921.

The Women’s Movement-1911, “Bluestocking Society”& magazine “Bluestocking”To spread idea of women’s liberation.-Three key actresses gained popularityAnd changed the old concepts.

-1920, “New Women’s Association” wasFormed & magazine “Women’s Union”.They asked for amendment to Article 5To allow women joining political partiesAnd activities.-it was finally dissolved.

The Taisho Democratic Movement-divided into two camps: political parties& the popular movement and its leaders-1924, unified under the Kato cabinet-1925 “General Election Law” allowed The proletarian party to participate in Elections.

Background:-Meiji Modernization-Industrial Development-mainly government run industries andLight industries-later the government sold the non-Military industries to private enterprisesAt low prices, e.g. Mitsubishi, Yasuda,Mitsui, Sumitomo, etc.

B. Economic Conditions1. Economic ups & downs-economic ups & downs related with foreign wars-victories--financial problems/overspending--issuedbonds and increased taxes. Tax increasedby 50% in R-J War and by 100% in secondyear.

-After R-J War, Japan seized railwayand mining rights in Manchuria--angeredChinese--boycott Japanese goods.-During WWI, occupied Shandong and controlled railways + dominatedthe chinese market and sold necessitiesto the western powers.

-After WWI, entered dark age during the 1920s + Great Depression 1929 (silkexport dropped)--unemployment

2. Rapid Industrialization

-benefits from the victories in S-J & R-J War: Korea, Manchuria & Taiwan-foreign land brought sufficient food supply and lessened the demand for food.-helped develop light industry: raw materials and market. E.g. silk export andJapanese cotton.

-helped heavy industry: mining and railwayrights, production of warships andsteamships, sea transport, shipbuilding andchemical industries.-enterprises increased from 400 (1868)to 8000 (1903)-->Japan became industrialized country.

3. Further extension of the influenceof Zaibatsu-the government had sold most industries(non strategic) to Zaibatsu. -Zaibatsu developed capital intensiveindustries such as finance, trade or transport, etc. -By 1913, 75% of industrial & commercialcapital was controlled by Zaibatsu.

“Monopolized Capitalism”

Think about?Suggest one form of monopolizedServices in Hong Kong.First Bus, Kowloon Motor Bus,City Bus

-20th century industry focused on heavy Industry, military industries and theNationalization of railways.-WWI, Japan increased its export and earnForeign profits. “Monopolized Capitalism”Emerged.

Characteristics of Capitalism in Japan:1. The rise of privileged capitalists-colluded with the government to getProtection-had great influence in industrial Development.

2. Limited Scope of heavy industry-heavily depended on foreign technology-light industry [textile industry] overtookThe heavy industry.

3. The focus on capitalism and militaryIndustry-because industry was driven by nationalCapital and external wars.

4. The basis of semi-feudal agriculture-signified the exploitation of labour classAnd serious disconnection between industryAnd agriculture.-but it guaranteed a cheap labour force.

Significance of Monopolized Capitalism:1.it led to emergence of Zaibatsu2. It affected the life of peasants/ agrarianIndustry became undervalued. ItBrought poverty andWeakening of people’s purchasing power.3. Domestic market had no room forExpansion economic fear and downturns

Japanese economy in & after WWI-Japan exported the products to developingCountries, US & Europe.-Military supplies to Britain and Russia Increased.-Shipping and shipbuilding industries grew.-Light industries, machinery industry,Chemical industry developed.

.

Outcome:-3rd largest shipping country in 1919.-steel production increased by 7 times Electricity increased by 2.8 times.-light industry accounted for 70% of the National economy.

Background:-consequence of political reform & Affluence of capitalism-learnt the western culture & believedIn the importance of traditional valuesAnd ideas. “Rokumeikan”-developed science and humanities

Think about?What is the traditional values of The Japanese? (How did we view theirEmperor? Did they love western culture?)What is their traditional religion?

1. Preservation and traditional cultures-confucian beliefs such as loyalty to theemperor, filial piety to parents-Shintoism-nationalism (details) in Imperial Rescript on Education 1890 &National Textbook System

2. Absorption of western cultureWhy?-western education-magazines & newspaper-affected their way of clothing, architecture.

The promotion of national loyalty:-the idea of loyalty and obedience &Belief in traditional ideas and values-1886, the ministry of education decreedThe school based on nationalism.-1890, The Imperial Rescript on Education“goodness, righteousness, piety and loyalty”

-1907, compulsory education to 6 years.-higher education expanded.

Achievements in Humanities

Achievements in Science

END

Concluding Remarks:

1920s“how to be equal such power as the US in terms of national strength or even to surpass her?”“joining the families of European nations”

1930s“becoming better than Britain and the US”

-1932, Takahashi’s progressive financialPolicy-expanding armaments and militaryProduction-focused on heavy and militaryIndustry-1933, Japan withdrew from League andOccupied north-eastern part of China.

2. Initiation of the Pacific War and invasion of SE Asia-isolated China to cut off militaryback up from Indochina-natural resources, e.g. tin, oil-Attack on Pearl Harbour

Entry into the WWII-1941 Dec 7, attack on Pearl Harbourbrought the US into the war.-dropping of atomic bombs on 6, 9 Aug 1945.-Japan surrendered on 15 Aug 1945