JAPANESE EXPANSION IN JAPANESE EXPANSION IN CHINACHINA
1931 - 371931 - 37
3 Reasons3 Reasons
• Social Reasons• Economic Reasons• Political Reasons
• Social Reasons• Economic Reasons• Political Reasons
Social ReasonsSocial Reasons• Rapid growth of Japan’s
population• 1900 : 45 million• 1930 : 64 million• Intense pressure on agricultural
sector which could not supply Japan’s needs
• Food had to be imported
• Pressure on Japan’s limited land• Much of Japan is mountainous and
unsuitable for settlement• New territories overseas would solve
this problem by providing homes and jobs
• Rapid growth of Japan’s population• 1900 : 45 million• 1930 : 64 million• Intense pressure on agricultural
sector which could not supply Japan’s needs
• Food had to be imported
• Pressure on Japan’s limited land• Much of Japan is mountainous and
unsuitable for settlement• New territories overseas would solve
this problem by providing homes and jobs
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• Internal economic problems of 1920s
• The Great Depression in the early 1930s
NB : All other explanations for economic reasons derive from these two main factors
• Internal economic problems of 1920s
• The Great Depression in the early 1930s
NB : All other explanations for economic reasons derive from these two main factors
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• Internal economic problems of 1920s• Japan experienced trade boom because of
WWI• But by 1921, Europe began to recover its
lost markets• Signalled the start of Japan’s economic
problems• Unemployment and industrial unrest
increased• Farmers badly affected by falling price of
rice• Then came the Great Depression (GD)
• Internal economic problems of 1920s• Japan experienced trade boom because of
WWI• But by 1921, Europe began to recover its
lost markets• Signalled the start of Japan’s economic
problems• Unemployment and industrial unrest
increased• Farmers badly affected by falling price of
rice• Then came the Great Depression (GD)
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• The GD – severe impact on the economy• Japan’s exports shrank disastrously• Exports of manufactured goods dropped by
2/3• Japan’s two main exports : raw silk and
cotton goods• Most of the silk went to USA• GD – reduced demand pushed prices down• By 1932 – price of raw silk had fallen to less than
20% of the 1923 price
• The GD – severe impact on the economy• Japan’s exports shrank disastrously• Exports of manufactured goods dropped by
2/3• Japan’s two main exports : raw silk and
cotton goods• Most of the silk went to USA• GD – reduced demand pushed prices down• By 1932 – price of raw silk had fallen to less than
20% of the 1923 price
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• About ½ of Jap farmers relied on production of raw silk and rice for their livelihood
• Situation created widespread poverty
• Drop in world trade in 1930s Countries had less $ to buy imported goods
• Japan earn less unable to buy the imported food needed to feed its growing population
• About ½ of Jap farmers relied on production of raw silk and rice for their livelihood
• Situation created widespread poverty
• Drop in world trade in 1930s Countries had less $ to buy imported goods
• Japan earn less unable to buy the imported food needed to feed its growing population
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• Japan’s industries badly affected• Japan had few natural resources and raw
materials• Thus its industries depended heavily on
imported materials such as iron, tin, cotton, rubber and oil
• With declining income from exports, Jap industries could not afford to buy these materials
• One possible solution With its own overseas empire, easier and cheaper to supply Jap industries with raw materials
• Japan’s industries badly affected• Japan had few natural resources and raw
materials• Thus its industries depended heavily on
imported materials such as iron, tin, cotton, rubber and oil
• With declining income from exports, Jap industries could not afford to buy these materials
• One possible solution With its own overseas empire, easier and cheaper to supply Jap industries with raw materials
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• More difficult to export its products in the GD• USA and other countries solve their own
economic problems by imposing tariffs or taxes on foreign imports protect their own industries
• Worsened Japan’s economic problems• Forced Japan to look for markets elsewhere• The 2 main factors2 main factors had an important
political impact• People unhappy with democratic
government• Looked to the military for possible solutions
to Japan’s economic problems
• More difficult to export its products in the GD• USA and other countries solve their own
economic problems by imposing tariffs or taxes on foreign imports protect their own industries
• Worsened Japan’s economic problems• Forced Japan to look for markets elsewhere• The 2 main factors2 main factors had an important
political impact• People unhappy with democratic
government• Looked to the military for possible solutions
to Japan’s economic problems
MANCHURIAMANCHURIA
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• MANCHURIA had many valuable resources which Japan
needed• Forestry & minerals (oil, iron, coal and
aluminium)• It also had space
• 3 times the size of Japan• 28 million people• Lots of land for new settlers
• MANCHURIA had many valuable resources which Japan
needed• Forestry & minerals (oil, iron, coal and
aluminium)• It also had space
• 3 times the size of Japan• 28 million people• Lots of land for new settlers
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
• Alternative market for Japanese exports• Japan already had substantial economic
interests there• Controlled the most important mines,
ports, factories and railways• Jap interests protected by a large army,
the Kwantung army, stationed in southern Manchuria
• Acquisition of Manchuria would solve Japan’s severe economic and social problems!!
• Alternative market for Japanese exports• Japan already had substantial economic
interests there• Controlled the most important mines,
ports, factories and railways• Jap interests protected by a large army,
the Kwantung army, stationed in southern Manchuria
• Acquisition of Manchuria would solve Japan’s severe economic and social problems!!
Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons
The attractiveness of the land does not arise from the scarcity of the population alone; its wealth of forestry, minerals and agricultural products is also unrivalled elsewhere in the world.
An extract from a letter written by PM Tanaka to Emperor Hirohito in 1927
The attractiveness of the land does not arise from the scarcity of the population alone; its wealth of forestry, minerals and agricultural products is also unrivalled elsewhere in the world.
An extract from a letter written by PM Tanaka to Emperor Hirohito in 1927
EMPEROR HIROHITOEMPEROR HIROHITO
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
• 1920’s – Japan isolated itself from WWI allies
• Many Japs believed it to be in Japan’s best interests to build an empire in East Asia than to stay on good terms with the rest of the world
• 1920’s – Japan isolated itself from WWI allies
• Many Japs believed it to be in Japan’s best interests to build an empire in East Asia than to stay on good terms with the rest of the world
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons1. The Peace Settlement after
WWI2. The Washington Naval
Conference, 1921-223. The USA’s Immigration Policies4. The USA’s Economic Policies5. Growing Dissatisfaction with
the Japanese Government
FIVE Reasons1. The Peace Settlement after
WWI2. The Washington Naval
Conference, 1921-223. The USA’s Immigration Policies4. The USA’s Economic Policies5. Growing Dissatisfaction with
the Japanese Government
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons1. THE PEACE SETTLEMENT AFTER WWI
• Japan disappointed with some aspects of the peace settlements despite getting the Liaotong Peninsula
• Asked that the Covenant (Agreement) of the new League of Nations include a statement to declare all races in the world equal
• Eventually not included because of Europeans’ superiority complex
FIVE Reasons1. THE PEACE SETTLEMENT AFTER WWI
• Japan disappointed with some aspects of the peace settlements despite getting the Liaotong Peninsula
• Asked that the Covenant (Agreement) of the new League of Nations include a statement to declare all races in the world equal
• Eventually not included because of Europeans’ superiority complex
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE 1921-22
• Called by US to reduce naval arms and ease tension in the Far East
• Felt threatened by Japan’s growing power and influence in China
• Main agreement limited the size of the navies in the Pacific (no of ships)
• US : Britain : Japan 5 : 5 : 3
• The powers also agreed not to build any more ships for 10 years
FIVE Reasons2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE 1921-22
• Called by US to reduce naval arms and ease tension in the Far East
• Felt threatened by Japan’s growing power and influence in China
• Main agreement limited the size of the navies in the Pacific (no of ships)
• US : Britain : Japan 5 : 5 : 3
• The powers also agreed not to build any more ships for 10 years
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE 1921-22
• Conference meant to improve relations between Japan and US
• Instead, it made things worse• Japan felt it was treated as a
second-rate power• Nationalists, especially military
felt that Japan’s honour had been betrayed by the agreement
• Govt signed agreement very reluctantly – however, it was still blamed for this disgrace
FIVE Reasons2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE 1921-22
• Conference meant to improve relations between Japan and US
• Instead, it made things worse• Japan felt it was treated as a
second-rate power• Nationalists, especially military
felt that Japan’s honour had been betrayed by the agreement
• Govt signed agreement very reluctantly – however, it was still blamed for this disgrace
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES
• Many Japs migrated to US• Shortage of land• Rising population
• At first, US accepted them freely• Early 20th C US Govt concerned at
the level of immigration• Started to put some restrictions
FIVE Reasons3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES
• Many Japs migrated to US• Shortage of land• Rising population
• At first, US accepted them freely• Early 20th C US Govt concerned at
the level of immigration• Started to put some restrictions
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES
• 1922 Supreme Court ruled that only Japanese born in the US could become citizens
• 1924 USA immigration policy changed to exclude all Orientals, including japanese
• Japs felt insulted by this discrimination• Meant that those with relatives who
migrated earlier to the US could no longer join them there
FIVE Reasons3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES
• 1922 Supreme Court ruled that only Japanese born in the US could become citizens
• 1924 USA immigration policy changed to exclude all Orientals, including japanese
• Japs felt insulted by this discrimination• Meant that those with relatives who
migrated earlier to the US could no longer join them there
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons4. THE USA’s ECONOMIC POLICIES
• USA and other countries imposed tariffs on imports in 1920s and 1930s
• Result Japan did less and less trade with US
• More isolated from the US as it was less necessary to maintain good relations with the US Govt
• Japan also began to look for other markets for its goods
FIVE Reasons4. THE USA’s ECONOMIC POLICIES
• USA and other countries imposed tariffs on imports in 1920s and 1930s
• Result Japan did less and less trade with US
• More isolated from the US as it was less necessary to maintain good relations with the US Govt
• Japan also began to look for other markets for its goods
Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons
FIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
1920’s Democratic government not seen to be successful for a few reasons
1. It did not solve Japan’s economic and social problems• Farmers and workers tried to organize a
political party ruthlessly put down by police
• GD caused farmers and workers to resent the govt even more
• Blamed for wide-spread poverty and other economic problems
FIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
1920’s Democratic government not seen to be successful for a few reasons
1. It did not solve Japan’s economic and social problems• Farmers and workers tried to organize a
political party ruthlessly put down by police
• GD caused farmers and workers to resent the govt even more
• Blamed for wide-spread poverty and other economic problems
Political ReasonsPolitical ReasonsFIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2. Democracy was not popular with the army• Govt seen as weak and ineffective• Evidence : Baron Shidehara, Foreign
Minister from 1924 to 27 • Advocated peaceful economic
expansion policy in China• Tried to gain more trading privileges
through a policy of friendship with China
• Army’s view policy too soft on the Chinese
• Not the right way to strengthen Japan’s economic hold over China
• Saw such policies as weakening Japan’s position
FIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2. Democracy was not popular with the army• Govt seen as weak and ineffective• Evidence : Baron Shidehara, Foreign
Minister from 1924 to 27 • Advocated peaceful economic
expansion policy in China• Tried to gain more trading privileges
through a policy of friendship with China
• Army’s view policy too soft on the Chinese
• Not the right way to strengthen Japan’s economic hold over China
• Saw such policies as weakening Japan’s position
Political ReasonsPolitical ReasonsFIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2. Democracy was not popular with the army
• Army’s solution to solve Japan’s problem An aggressive foreign policy using the armed forces to build up an overseas empire and make Japan strong and powerful
• Another aspect of militarism• Army felt that govt had betrayed Japan
in its dealings with foreign powers• Evidence : The Washington Naval
Conference humiliating and showed disregard for Japan’s national security
FIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2. Democracy was not popular with the army
• Army’s solution to solve Japan’s problem An aggressive foreign policy using the armed forces to build up an overseas empire and make Japan strong and powerful
• Another aspect of militarism• Army felt that govt had betrayed Japan
in its dealings with foreign powers• Evidence : The Washington Naval
Conference humiliating and showed disregard for Japan’s national security
Political ReasonsPolitical ReasonsFIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2. Democracy was not popular with the army
• Most army recruits were peasants who suffered in the 1920s
• Rank-and-file as well as officers disgusted with the weak democratic government
• Army’s discontent with the govt was a direct cause of the Mukden Incident
• Led to Japan seizing control of Manchuria in 1931-32
FIVE Reasons5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2. Democracy was not popular with the army
• Most army recruits were peasants who suffered in the 1920s
• Rank-and-file as well as officers disgusted with the weak democratic government
• Army’s discontent with the govt was a direct cause of the Mukden Incident
• Led to Japan seizing control of Manchuria in 1931-32
Copyright reserved 2001
From the histerical notes of
the Ancient Library of
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